Dental Visit, Expensive Work Needed

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
Went for a cleaning today, started going twice a year instead on just once, since I do have issues with some receding gums and bone loss. I always had trouble with my teeth, even as a kid, a lot of cavities even though my mother let us have very little in the way of sweets and rarely enjoyed a soda.

I was long overdue for a full set of xrays, so they insisted on taking them, but they don't charge any extra for them, so that's good. They found a cavity under a tooth that had a very old crown/cap on it. They said it was small right now, but needed to be addressed before it got bigger and threatened the loss of the tooth. I set up an appointment to have it done, $800 out of pocket to have the old crown removed, cavity fixed, and new crown put in, I have no dental insurance. The cleaning (and xrays) only cost me $150, which I am okay with paying. They charge clients with no insurance coverage less than those who have it, and I appreciate that savings.

So, I was a little bummed out today because the cleaning brought to light a problem, but I want to keep as many of my natural teeth as possible in my old age and avoid ever having to get dentures. I look at the bright side though, it could have been worse. I just always hated going to the dentist, and probably always will. :brush:

By the way, I asked them about rinsing with peroxide after reading a thread here started by Ronni, and they said to definitely dilute it with water before safely using.
 

applecruncher said:
tbh, this figure is low. So you got off okay imo.
Did you go to a college dental school?
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No, it was a regular dental office that we've been going to for many years, our dentist we knew over the years retired though, so a new younger guy took over the business. I think if i had insurance the $800 would be a much higher figure, just not sure what it would be.
 
I’ve had receding gum line problems and had my caps replaced last year. Some of my caps were over 25 years old and the metal line was showing but to fix them would make those teeth much higher than the others so I had my gums cut to extend the other teeth. It was a bit painful but I could handle it. Like yourself I want to keep my original teeth for as long as possible and I really like my smile now. Before I was embarrassed. My parents both have all their natural teeth.

Luckily we have insurance which paid for most of it. The rest was worth paying for but I did it all in stages. It took 3 years to get my top teeth fixed but I’m so glad I did.

Good luck with yours Seabreeze. It’s a smart investment.
 
Dental work isn't cheap....and most dental insurance isn't worth a hoot anymore. I have two insurance policies....one with Renaissance, and noticed after renewing my Medicare Advantage plan with Humana that it now also covers Dental. However, outside of cleanings every 6 months, and annual x-rays, etc., neither policy covers more than half the costs. I think I'm going to need to get a partial in the next couple of months....old broken root canal that my dentist patched up while I make up my mind. I will probably cancel the Renaissance after I get the teeth work done....and have the dentist bill Humana...that way I can get a refund of the Renaissance premiums. In the past few weeks I've visited 2 other dental clinics, and the prices vary quite a bit for a given procedure. The worst bid I got was over $6000 for a "bridge" that would have replaced 4 teeth....heck, I can get a full set of deluxe dentures from Aspen and DDS for less than that.
 
All of you are so brave going to the dentist. I'd rather have a limb removed. I haven't been in years. I'm sure I need work done but since I'm not having problems I'm not going to look for trouble. I brush twice a day and use mouthwash in between brushings. It is very difficult to find a dentist around here who isn't in it for the money. They immediately want to put you on a plan of some kind to keep you running.
 
Very hard for me to go to the dentist, too. It's unfortunate you don't have any insurance to pay for that cavity fixing. I need to go badly, many of my teeth need "fixing" in one way or another. Can't wait for the root canal they promised me...:rolleyes:
 
Don M. said:
Dental work isn't cheap....and most dental insurance isn't worth a hoot anymore. I have two insurance policies....one with Renaissance, and noticed after renewing my Medicare Advantage plan with Humana that it now also covers Dental. However, outside of cleanings every 6 months, and annual x-rays, etc., neither policy covers more than half the costs. I think I'm going to need to get a partial in the next couple of months....old broken root canal that my dentist patched up while I make up my mind. I will probably cancel the Renaissance after I get the teeth work done....and have the dentist bill Humana...that way I can get a refund of the Renaissance premiums. In the past few weeks I've visited 2 other dental clinics, and the prices vary quite a bit for a given procedure. The worst bid I got was over $6000 for a "bridge" that would have replaced 4 teeth....heck, I can get a full set of deluxe dentures from Aspen and DDS for less than that.
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We actually have great dental insurance from my husband’s employer. We get $2,000 coverage each which will cover crowns, cleaning, cavities, x rays . The only thing it doesn’t cover are cosmetic veneers.

My parents didn’t allow us to have freezing when we went to the dentist and to this day I wondered how our dentist could agree to such a sadistic request but he did.

Even if we didn’t have insurance I would have still gotten my teeth cleaned and the caps replaced.
Teeth are really important and something most of us take for granted until they’re gone. Plus there is nothing like showing off a beautiful smile. I think taking care of teeth is a very wise investment. Expensive but necessary.

My husband doesn’t care for his teeth very well. He hates dentists but who doesn’t. They aren’t my favourite people either but I don’t avoid them.

Note: it’s good knowing that they can detect cavities under capped teeth. I didn’t know that. Now I do.
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
All of you are so brave going to the dentist. I'd rather have a limb removed. I haven't been in years. I'm sure I need work done but since I'm not having problems I'm not going to look for trouble. I brush twice a day and use mouthwash in between brushings. It is very difficult to find a dentist around here who isn't in it for the money. They immediately want to put you on a plan of some kind to keep you running.
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Oh they will find issues, just go and let them xray. I stopped xrays probably 10 yrs ago and stopped going to dentist about 8 yrs ago...

Coconut oil toothpaste that I make up. And floss a couple times daily.

Grape Seed Extract powerful antioxidant for gum health and it works.

And I don't dilute my swish of H202 before I go to bed.

And cut out so many sweets and carbs and I'm doing fine at almost 81.

Had plenty of dental work in my life and now I love not going.

I have enough joint issues that I don't go looking for dental work to be done. If something truly bothers me I'll go.
 
If you live near a university you may be able to have the work done very cheaply.

My friend had some extensive work done at UCONN School of Dentistry. Yes, by a student but always with the dentist present and guiding or taking over if needed. She was very happy.

In fact, my dermatologist is at UCONN Medical Center.
 
I use a discount company called Dental Plans, pay for membership annually.
Not insurance. Been satisfied with it so far.
Not easy for me to find dentists who accept it though.
 
I hate dentist and dentist hate me....

My mouth is so small they have an extremely hard time working on me.

Not to mention the whole claustrophobia deal....I just can't breathe when they are all up in my face and mouth.

I had braces when I was a teenager and they pulled a lot of teeth just to make room.

Last time I went for a cleaning they just had to stop after an hour and said come back in 3 months and we'll finish..

That was a year ago and I haven't been back since...

Plus it's an ordeal to have to take antibiotics before they will touch me... because of my heart valve.

So if I have an issue I have to see my Dr. first to get the antibiotics.

I know my day is coming..dreading it .....
 
I don't hate dentists but I could say I hate the way I didn't take better care of my teeth. I rarely use the word hate but dentists do serve a purpose for we who don't take better care.
 
Keesha said:
That’s exactly right.
Grape Seed Extract only goes so far.
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I think it goes pretty far in my case and gums...I was told back in the 80's about deep pockets and did nothing and then years later found Grape Seed Ex and the deep pockets have never been mentioned...gums are tight and healthy and it's the antioxidants.
 
SeaBreeze that's a very good price for all the work and I'd go for it. I too, want to keep all my own teeth. I dropped my insurance when they cut back on services and wouldn't allow me to choose and keep my own dentists so it's out of pocket payments hit may seem hard, but your teeth are valuable and worth the investment.
 
chic said:
SeaBreeze that's a very good price for all the work and I'd go for it. I too, want to keep all my own teeth. I dropped my insurance when they cut back on services and wouldn't allow me to choose and keep my own dentists so it's out of pocket payments hit may seem hard, but your teeth are valuable and worth the investment.
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I agree Chic, I have had a couple of extractions over the years, but I want to avoid having any more if I can.
 
I'll trade dental bills with anyone here.
I had bad teeth at birth, constant decay due to both thin enamel & a dry mouth problem.
To date, I've had 28 root canals, two bridges & a full reconstruction - 30 crowns.
I paid out of pocket because dental insurance is pathetic. They have the option of the cheapest treatment options & that causes more future problems. I learned that the hard way; when my employer provided dental coverage.

To date: over $75,000.00.
 
win231 said:
I'll trade dental bills with anyone here.
I had bad teeth at birth, constant decay due to both thin enamel & a dry mouth problem.
To date, I've had 28 root canals, two bridges & a full reconstruction - 30 crowns.
I paid out of pocket because dental insurance is pathetic. They have the option of the cheapest treatment options & that causes more future problems. I learned that the hard way; when my employer provided dental coverage.

To date: over $75,000.00.
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Are you saying this all from birth and you had no part in all this poor dental health. I have too much work I had done from my early life and bad foods (carbs and sugars) and not from being born with poor teeth. I've had a few root canals and a few bridges and crowns but before I would have spent $75K I would have gotten high end dentures.
 
jaminhealth said:
Are you saying this all from birth and you had no part in all this poor dental health. I have too much work I had done from my early life and bad foods (carbs and sugars) and not from being born with poor teeth. I've had a few root canals and a few bridges and crowns but before I would have spent $75K I would have gotten high end dentures.
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Before I started the reconstruction 20 years ago, I told my dentist to just pull them out & fit dentures. She said it was a bad idea at my age (46 at the time). She said if I did that, I'd have a lot of bone loss & the dentures would have to be re-made many times.

As for my part in poor dental health, I didn't eat any more candy than my friends who had no dental problems. My mother did have gum disease. My father never had any serious dental problems. My dentist said I had very thin enamel & my dry mouth problem causes lots of bacteria which contributes to decay.
 
SeaBreeze said:
No, it was a regular dental office that we've been going to for many years, our dentist we knew over the years retired though, so a new younger guy took over the business. I think if i had insurance the $800 would be a much higher figure, just not sure what it would be.
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FYI

Many insurance companies/policies... like Blue Cross... have agreements with certain doctors and dentists to charge the patient a usually lower allowable amount specific to each procedure. So not only would one get the benefit of whatever percentage of the cost the insurance policy pays... there may also be a lower insurance allowable total amount and contracting service providers must write off the difference.
 

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