I recently started with a new dentist. I have a phobia of dental work. I don't have as good a rapport with this dentist as my trusted dentist who retired. My old dentist knew about my phobia and knew that the more knowledge I had about everything, the more confidence I had moving forward. I always wanted to know the names (manufacturer, specific material, etc.) of the materials used on me (filling material, adhesives, etching materials, etc.) and he would tell me. I did not feel comfortable asking my new dentist. I had two fillings a month ago (a glass ionomer on the gum line of a crowned upper molar and a large composite on an upper pre-molar) and am having a terrible taste in my mouth ever since. My quality of life is being affected. I would like to start by getting the names of all the materials used on me. Is a dentist required to record specific products used on a patient in the patient's dental record? Do I have a right to know what those are? What would be the best way of asking for this information? She is a very busy dentist and my next appointment for more fillings is two months away and I can't wait to ask in person. I am thinking of seeing an ENT or allergist, etc. to pursue the taste problem and since that is when it started, I really want the names of the products before proceeding. I want to be able to compare it to the materials my dentist previously used as well. Thank you for your time.
Access to my dental record information
- Thread starter Anne2021
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MattKW
Verified Dentist
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- Mar 18, 2018
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It's uncommon to keep really detailed info about brands, adhesives, etching materials etc altho some do given that nowadays it is relatively easy to insert stock phrases into a computer system. By all means, ask your last dentist; just send a polite request and you should be able to get all your history. They are entitled to charge a reasonable fee, but for long term patients we often don't.
I can't think why a different brand of GIC or composite would cause you to have a different taste sensation. It is more common if something like an old filling is leaking.
I can't think why a different brand of GIC or composite would cause you to have a different taste sensation. It is more common if something like an old filling is leaking.