Bad news at the Dentist - boo hoo!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Bad news at the Dentist - boo hoo!
8
Wed, 03-09-2005 - 10:21am

I went to the dentist yesterday, am very lucky that it's my friend who owns the practice and she gives me a 25% discount, as my work does not provide dental insurance except through AFLAC. I have one tooth that I have problems with for the last 20 years! I had a crown put on it 4 years ago of which a bit broke away, and now I find out that the tooth can no longer be saved. I need an implant. How much is an implant - oh around $3000!!!! It's an important tooth so I have to have it done. I go to the dentist every 6 months, floss every night and have always looked after my teeth. I'm just one of these unlucky b*ggers who always has something go wrong. My friend will give me whatever discount she can, but the other dentist she can't get him to lower his price. Her advice, to start saving for my tooth. At the moment I can keep the crown, but it's not ideal.

So my plan of saving for the next 6 months for new carpet and my condo painted will have to be put off, my tooth is much more important. It just seems that I can't get ahead with my condo the way I want to, as every time I turn around I have another huge expense that takes precedence. Beginning of the year was a car, then I had a minor surgery and now my tooth. I don't want to put it on my CC, I've just paid those down, one completely. So I am looking to save because my tooth could become painful at any moment. At the moment I have no pain. Let's just hope I have the money saved before I need the work done. There goes saving for a holiday as well, what a bummer!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Wed, 03-09-2005 - 3:23pm

I feel your pain! I posted my tooth story on the frugal living board last week. I am in a similar situation. It started with a crack in the filling that the dentist wanted to replace. He replaced the filling but it seemed to hurt afterwards. He sent me to a specialist to see if I needed a root canal. Long story short....he couldn't do the root canal or save my tooth because the crack went too far down my tooth. I had it pulled last week. I go in on Tuesday for a consultation for an implant. I also have the option of getting a bridge. I just turned 36 the day after my tooth was pulled....great b-day gift knowing I would have to shell out alot of money for a new tooth.

They did tell me they do it over time, so I can save for it. They said it will be at least 6 months before they can put the plate in and then another 6 months before they can implant the tooth. Some will be covered under my dental insurance but most will not be. I am sick about it.

I'm sorry that you have to go through this. It really stinks to have to pay so much money. I have been dreaming of having the laser surgery on my eyes, well I could have paid for it with what I am paying for one tooth. I have no choice, I have to do it.

Good Luck to you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 2:57am

HUGS!!!!

My dental isn't easy either, so I hear you!

I hope everything works out for you!

Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 11:09am
Just wanted to say thanks for the support, and sharing your stories also. Teeth are so important. I just know that not only will this cost a lot of money, it will mean a fair amount of time off of work!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2004
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 3:20pm

I just went to the dentist for the first time in over ten years. The last time I went to a dentist it was a pediatric dentist and I was about 12 years old at the time. Never really had problems with my teeth, just a couple cavities as a kid.

I didn't go because I was in pain or anything. I just wanted to get my teeth cleaned and get a check up. I have insurance now so X-rays and a cleaning and checkup were free. But I found out I have 10 new cavities....yup 10....I just opened up a big can of worms...
Now I need 10 fillings, which are only partially covered by my insurance...I wouldn't mind if was only a couple...but 10....this is going to cost at least a few hundred....It's not as bad as needing a root canal or an implant or anything....I just can't believe I let it get that bad....but on the upside at least I went..

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2004
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 8:57am
Goodness that's expensive! Where do you live? It would be cheaper to get a plane ticket, fly to Mexico for the work and fly back!! Dentists in Monterrey are excellent, and it may cost $700-800 vs. $3000.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 9:08am
That's an excellent suggestion. I currently live in VA. I used to live in Mexico for 7 years, and had some wonderful dentistry work completed there. The only restraint I have is the time. It would take time for them to make them implant, etc and I wouldn't be able to get that time off from work. If I could, I would go to Mexico back to my old dentist.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2004
Wed, 03-16-2005 - 8:11pm

It's about $1500 for an implant in NC.
Check around.

Also - paint your condo yourself. You could paint
it yourself in one hard long weekend, or two regular ones.

Check around on the carpet too.

When I did mine the estimates were from $1800 to $4000.
For the same stuff.

Good luck :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 2:37pm

It's times like these that I appreciate my dental insurance through work.

Have you thought about getting private insurance? It may be awhile before you qualify for an implant, but in the long run the cost may be less than $3000. In the meantime you could still get regular dental work covered too. Just a thought.




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