$5,000 !! Seriously!?!

[wood&feathers]

"European Tour" = ridiculous quote from dentist. Doesn't mean any of us have that in our pocket!

 

[denise70]

I live in Canada and unfortunately we have to pay for dental as dental isn't under universal health care - and it ain't cheap! So $5,000 might be about right.

My good friend lost her front four bottom teeth in a car accident - it was coverd under the accident however, a few years later they came loose and had to be replaced. It was $30,000.

I would look into alternatives or other dental surgeons. Maybe someone else is cheaper?

 

[PineappleMama]

Just one tooth? That's how my Papabear was, it was one of his two front teeth even. So he had a partial denture for just that tooth. Don't know if that's something you'd put up with but it's a LOT cheaper (down here at least) to get that then to put in a bridge/etc. SIL's done that, and redone it when they failed, and redone it.... and they still aren't right so I'm a wee bit biased.

But, ignoring my bias, just financially it's way cheaper AND you CAN always do the bridge thing later (tax return?) when you do have the funds available... but in the meantime there will be a placeholder there so the teeth don't move.

I'm surprised your dentist didn't mention that as an option... though, if he's at all like the Monarch one mom went to then he wouldn't simply because it's not as much money is his pocket.

Family has used Affordable Dentures... had to drive down to Waco (or Tyler) to find one but it was a HUGE difference in price and they have their own lab so your tooth/teeth are ready that day... go piddle in stores for a couple hours... come back, check fit and done. They do seem to have a couple locations in Penn...

http://www.affordabledentures.com/search/state/pa/

Still seems pretty pricey to me at $895 for one whoopity do tooth, but WAY less than $5000...

Best of luck, dental problems bite the big one... if you'll pardon the pun.

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Thanks guys.

The dentist recommended an implant over a bridge because the teeth are ok on either side and we know that somewhere down the road I will need my whole front teeth set to be replaced. SO this was supposed to be an anchor for future work.

I am probably going to go with the bridge idea, but ti does seem a shame to have to file down the two teeth on either side because replacing three teeth is somehow cheaper than putting in one.

Don't get me wrong. I know the implant is surgery with all of the inherent complications. But, it takes half an hour. It was just SO much more than I was expecting. Sorry Canadians! I wish your dental was covered for you.


SIGH>

 

[vfem]

I've had 3 teeth pulled, and luckily none of them show!

Because living off $20k a year... chances are unlikely I'd have $5000 to make my teeth look extra pretty. Maybe someday... when I have an extra $5000 a year for insurance... then I'll care!

 

[silkiechicken]

I have WHAT in my yard? :

Thanks guys.

The dentist recommended an implant over a bridge because the teeth are ok on either side and we know that somewhere down the road I will need my whole front teeth set to be replaced. SO this was supposed to be an anchor for future work.

I am probably going to go with the bridge idea, but ti does seem a shame to have to file down the two teeth on either side because replacing three teeth is somehow cheaper than putting in one.

Don't get me wrong. I know the implant is surgery with all of the inherent complications. But, it takes half an hour. It was just SO much more than I was expecting. Sorry Canadians! I wish your dental was covered for you.


SIGH>

If you're going to contemplate bridge vs implant.... I would try to figure out a way to do the implant. Technology for implants keep getting better. For a bridge hey need to "destroy" the two other teeth to use them as an anchor for the missing one, and over time, the bridge repair will damage the two teeth they use to anchor the missing one. If you know you need more work on the front later, might as well get the one now to see how well you accept the implant too, instead of finding out after they pull all your teeth that your gums/bone doesn't heal well.​

 

[I have WHAT in my yard?]

Quote:
If you're going to contemplate bridge vs implant.... I would try to figure out a way to do the implant. Technology for implants keep getting better. For a bridge hey need to "destroy" the two other teeth to use them as an anchor for the missing one, and over time, the bridge repair will damage the two teeth they use to anchor the missing one. If you know you need more work on the front later, might as well get the one now to see how well you accept the implant too, instead of finding out after they pull all your teeth that your gums/bone doesn't heal well.

Those are the exact reasons I had chosen to go for the implant. Don't remind me.

But a bridge is less than half the cost. What we are facing is the illogic of poverty. I cannot afford now to do what would prevent more costs later.

 

[Kgee]

Are there any dental schools in your area? I've heard that you can get less expensive treatment if you're willing to let them practice on you.

 

[cluckcluck42]

I'm from Canada and I do not have insurance through an employer and nothing is covered for dental. Our healthcare for every citizen will not send me to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned or a mouthguard for my bad teeth grinding.

I bet the surgery would be cheaper up here though!

I agree with 'get a second opinion'. And a third if you dont like what the second doc says

 

[zippitydooda]

Can you possibly "shop around" now that you know what procedure was going to be performed?

I had put off going to the dentist for several years. The last time I had gone to a dentist I lived in a different town. I went to the same dentist I have been taking my kids to, and he did a panoramic x-ray (since he had never seen me before) which was $120. Then the office visit was $85 just to walk in the door. A dental hygienist pokes around in my mouth for about 10 minutes, says she wants the dentist to take a look. He pokes around and starts pushing hard on my molars and say..."mobility. these need to come out. AND all of your wisdom teeth need to come out for preventative measure". $2400. I have no pain, no problems and have had my wisdom teeth for over 30 years. He also wanted to do planing & scaling which would cost $1500. What??? I asked him if he was planning an exotic vacation, as he had examined my 20 yo daughter who has NEVER missed an appointment, always takes care of her teeth and has NO problems (never had a cavity) and he told HER that she needed her wisdom teeth out also! WHAT?!?!?!?!?! By the time I was finished, he charged me $725 for my appointment (which he did nothing but make my mouth sore), and both my girls teeth cleanings. Can you say RIP OFF?

I called my old dentist and asked him to look at the panoramic x-ray, he said my teeth were fine. He said that maybe down the road ONE tooth might give me trouble, but all was fine for now. The first dentist said I had infection under my teeth, the old dentist said he didn't see any evidence of that.

My point is..... SHOP AROUND. There are honest people, and then there are the not-so-honest people.

Good luck! And SMILE. I'm sure you are beautiful.