What can you learn about dentistry on the Internet? The possibilities are endless. You are only limited by what keywords you know to search. You probably could find everything most dentists know. And a lot that is not known.
That doesn’t mean you can apply what you find to your situation or symptoms. Remember that some people (and even researchers) are more interested in convincing than informing. So you have to be able to objectively assess the reported findings or information.
Very often dental (and medical) treatment decisions rely on a considerable amount of clinical judgement. Internet dental information is like someone trying to tell you how to take a picture without knowing what kind of camera you have. They can give you basics, but you need to have an understanding of the specifics and features to get the best results.
I am never sure what patients understand from their Internet knowledge. I always temper my discussion of any condition with an understanding that some patients have heard horror stories. I have to determine how concerned the patient is about any problem we discuss. The individual may have read that someone had their face amputated because of an impacted wisdom tooth and get very concerned. There is a lot of bad information with the good.
Don’t be afraid to tell your dentist what you found on the Internet. It is helpful knowing the patient’s perspective and the basis for your concerns. Usually the dentist will be very glad to help you understand your situation. If not, e-mail me and I will try to help you figure it out.
