The totally off-topic thread

[JohnK]

However think about the people who have to handle the mercury.....

The dental assistant? Why would they offer amalgam fillings if it's so dangerous? I thought they stopped doing that in Australia and was surprised to see them offered in Thailand.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yes certainly does and also has antibacterial effects and no demonstrable effect on the owner

However nowadays many dentists use composite resins which are slowly getting better. The problem is not the amalgam once it’s applied but the use and handling of mercury to make the amalgam.

My dentist says the old “metal” fillings are harder on the teeth and more likely to lead to cracks in the teeth than the new ones, particularly large fillings. I am of an age where dental hygiene was in its infancy and no fluoride, so I have a lot of fillings. Being meticulous with my cleaning and flossing now and seeing the hygienist, I rarely have a filling but when I do I change over.

 

[Flying mermaid]

They just look ugly. Dad used to work in a dental supply company. I used to play with the mercury!

we were given Mercury to “play” with in the lab during Science at school. I can still remember us rolling it over the lab bench and having fun making it pool together again - around 1967 I guess....

 

[Pushka]

we were given Mercury to “play” with in the lab during Science at school. I can still remember us rolling it over the lab bench and having fun making it pool together again - around 1967 I guess....

Yup. Late 60’s and early 70’s. Imagine the outcry if done now.

 

[RooFlyer]

The dental assistant? Why would they offer amalgam fillings if it's so dangerous? I thought they stopped doing that in Australia and was surprised to see them offered in Thailand.

Ho ho ho ... not dangerous in skilled hands in surgical conditions ... but in Thailand? Watch that they don't accidentally squirt the lot down your throat, or at least dribble it all over your gums.

The metallurgy and kinetics of dental amalgams is fascinating. Copper, silver, tin, maybe some zinc ... a real witches brew. Then combined with the mercury and wonders happen. Don't mix gold with the mercury though - the mercury will take care of it!

Mercury mining is fascinating too. Often comes out liquid out of the walls of the mining face.

 

[Bindibuys]

I thought that was “you can’t get pregnant if you do it standing up”

You DEFINITELY get pregnant if you do a hand stand afterwards (yes..... from experience) and the female doing the hand stand before anyone asks.

 

[RooFlyer]

Speaking of mercury, the colour of these gum flowers on my daily walk is the colour of cinnabar .

Ugh. Came out disappointingly dull. Are the brightest of fire-engine red.

 

[Denali]

Ho ho ho ... not dangerous in skilled hands in surgical conditions ... but in Thailand? Watch that they don't accidentally squirt the lot down your throat, or at least dribble it all over your gums.....

But still saving money, right?

 

[drron]

Yup. Late 60’s and early 70’s. Imagine the outcry if done now.

Used to happen in the 50s too.

 

[drron]

Drama in Burnie Coles an hour ago.There was an empty aisle and put out all my stuff anf the young check out woman says-"I think I.m going to faint".I went around and held her as no seats anywhere and the floor didn't look clean.Trying to get a supervisor's attention whilst people are walking past with strange looks on their faces.
I must say I did start worrying that some might think it was inappropriate.But ended well with quite a few extra coupons handed out.

 

[RooFlyer]

But still saving money, right?

I'm not stopping anyone.

 

[Hvr]

"I think I.m going to faint"

I'm impressed, the women are still falling for you Dr Ron.

 

[Denali]

Glad to hear she didnt fall flat on the ground, which Ive done and still have the scar in my eyebrow from where my face hit the corner wall joining.

Came too lying on the ground, being crowded by new agers waving crystals at me (the incense in a closed room overwhelmed me).

 

[Quickstatus]

My dentist says the old “metal” fillings are harder on the teeth and more likely to lead to cracks in the teeth than the new ones, particularly large fillings. I am of an age where dental hygiene was in its infancy and no fluoride, so I have a lot of fillings. Being meticulous with my cleaning and flossing now and seeing the hygienist, I rarely have a filling but when I do I change over.

The Aussie dentists will change over as a matter of routine from amalgam to composite when it’s required. My dentist says no reason to change if the filling is solid

 

[Quickstatus]

Don't mix gold with the mercury though - the mercury will take care of it!

Mercury mining is fascinating too. Often comes out liquid out of the walls of the mining face.

Is Hg still used in Au mining?

 

[RooFlyer]

Is Hg still used in Au mining?

Mercury was used in gold metallurgical plants to gather coarse gold on gravity tables.

It's not used in western plants these days, but it's still present in the third world.

Modern plants use cyanide recovery methods - much better.

 

[coriander]

anf the young check out woman says-"I think I.m going to faint".I went around and held her as no seats anywhere and the floor didn't look clean.

Hmmm.... the syntax is all wrong, let's fix that up .... "I went around and held her as no seats anywhere and the floor didn't look clean and I said "It's ok I'm Dr Ron!" the young check out woman says-"I think I'm going to faint". ""

...... and her name was Svetlana!

 

[Flying mermaid]

The Aussie dentists will change over as a matter of routine from amalgam to composite when it’s required. My dentist says no reason to change if the filling is solid

agreed - fillings always do a level of damage to the tooth. However my dentist was explaining why my teeth develop cracks - I have ended up with a number of crowns because of them and the new compounds will be kinder on the teeth long term.

 

[Milboo]

@Pushka - you want to avoid dry socket at all costs! You will know if you have it as the pain just radiates up into the sinuses.

I am booked in for a couple of fillings in a week or so. I need 3 fillings to replace 2 existing ones. And then two weeks later I get another 3 - 2 to replace 1 and a micro one.

I have unlimited dental but am still a fair bit out of pocket. I’m not concerned by that as i know and trust my dentist, they’re highly qualified and experienced, know they’re insured and have immaculate hygiene practices. When it comes to drilling into teeth and working with open surfaces etc I don’t cut corners!

 

[Pushka]

@Pushka - you want to avoid dry socket at all costs! You will know if you have it as the pain just radiates up into the sinuses.

As in cheekbone?