4 ms·

Specific example I came across (may have even been a scientific study). Memory is a bit hazy, but roughly: Dentists routinely recommended the more-expensive ce

by yboris 7y ago

Specific example I came across (may have even been a scientific study). Memory is a bit hazy, but roughly: Dentists routinely recommended the more-expensive ceramic teeth replacements for teeth in the back, even though ceramic is less durable than the metal counterparts. Even though you basically can never see the hind teeth, so cosmetic reasons shouldn't have applied as they do for front teeth.

onlyrealcuzzo 7y ago
I've wondered why diagnostics doesn't work differently. Why not have a specialist collect the data needed: pictures, temperatures, blood pressures, basic answers to questions, etc... Then farm this data out to several doctors who make a diagnosis -- until you've reached a statistical significance. Then, use this data to train a machine learning model.
- tmamic 7y ago
  It's almost exactly what I am working on.
loco5niner 7y ago
> Even though you basically can never see the hind teeth I notice metal in peoples hind teeth all the time. This is still a cosmetic need. Food for thought. If teeth are constantly grinding against each other, is it good for the opposing teeth to constantly be grinding against a hard material like metal?
- realityking 7y ago
  I agree with your point about regularly noticing metal crowns but note that dental ceramics are way harder than metal. Dental ceramic is a 7 on the Mohs scale while gold and silver are in the 2.5 to 3 range.
  - loco5niner 7y ago
    Interesting. And tooth enamel apparently ranks a 5.
    - iends 7y ago
      It’s not just about hardness. It’s about biocompatibility.
slavik81 7y ago
They're still quite noticable from certain angles. I was mildly disappointed when I noticed silver amalgam fillings on someone's top rear molars, because I had some there too. When the time came to replace those fillings, I was happy to switch to white composites. Choosing the correct tradeoff between cost, appearance and durability is a value judgment. While the importance of appearance is lesser for the rear teeth, I wouldn't write it off entirely.
pseudalopex 7y ago
A dentist can design and install a ceramic crown the same day.

by yboris 7y ago

onlyrealcuzzo 7y ago

I've wondered why diagnostics doesn't work differently. Why not have a specialist collect the data needed: pictures, temperatures, blood pressures, basic answers to questions, etc... Then farm this data out to several doctors who make a diagnosis -- until you've reached a statistical significance. Then, use this data to train a machine learning model.

tmamic 7y ago
It's almost exactly what I am working on.

loco5niner 7y ago

> Even though you basically can never see the hind teeth I notice metal in peoples hind teeth all the time. This is still a cosmetic need. Food for thought. If teeth are constantly grinding against each other, is it good for the opposing teeth to constantly be grinding against a hard material like metal?

realityking 7y ago
I agree with your point about regularly noticing metal crowns but note that dental ceramics are way harder than metal. Dental ceramic is a 7 on the Mohs scale while gold and silver are in the 2.5 to 3 range.
- loco5niner 7y ago
  Interesting. And tooth enamel apparently ranks a 5.
  - iends 7y ago
    It’s not just about hardness. It’s about biocompatibility.

slavik81 7y ago

They're still quite noticable from certain angles. I was mildly disappointed when I noticed silver amalgam fillings on someone's top rear molars, because I had some there too. When the time came to replace those fillings, I was happy to switch to white composites. Choosing the correct tradeoff between cost, appearance and durability is a value judgment. While the importance of appearance is lesser for the rear teeth, I wouldn't write it off entirely.

pseudalopex 7y ago

A dentist can design and install a ceramic crown the same day.