Help! Dental Dilemma (Relating to Debt)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Help! Dental Dilemma (Relating to Debt)
18
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 10:02am

After putting it off for waaaay too long (no insurance/dh's past year of no full-time employment), I finally went to the dentist this morning. I only went 'cuz I was having some pain, and sure enough, I've got a really bad cavity in one of my teeth.

I have an appointment next Friday to have the tooth taken care of. Dentist says from x-rays that the tooth (which already has a big ol' filling on top) may need a root canal, but she won't know 'til she gets in there and gets the decay out.

We're having to charge all this dental work. The filling alone is going to be close to $200. A root canal will be approx. $500, and then a cap will be $600. Or I can just have the tooth extracted for a lot less. It's not something that would really show when I smile, so I'm thinking if that an extraction might be better than the root canal and cap, strictly financially speaking. The dentist's receptionist said that's what she opted for in the same situation.

I've had all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted at once, so just one tooth out would have to be better than that! And if it saves us hundreds of dollars, well, I sort of feel like I don't really have a choice. I hate to take on more debt if I have a choice not to (even if it leaves me with a hole in my mouth, LOL!).

Anyone have any advice or experience with this type of thing? TIA!!!

Amy

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 11:25am

Hi Amy!

I'm going through the same sort of thing right now. I have a great fear of the dentist, so when my dentist said it might be a good idea to have one of my back teeth crowned about six years ago (same as you: Big filling, decay under the filling), I smiled and said, "Oh ok", and then never went back again. LOL!! Last July, that tooth broke and I had to have it crowned. With insurance, it was about $162. BUT...now that I'm receiving regular dental care again, in December I was told that I would need gum surgery that would cost $1027! Ouch!! My insurance company kept denying the pre-treatment estimate, saying they didn't think it was neccessary and didn't have enough information to justify the procedure. After the fourth time they denied the claim, I told my husband that I was, flat out, not going to pay $1027 out of my own pocket to save one tooth (the furthest one back on the upper left that no one would be able to see when I smiled). So I called my dentist and let them know that if the insurance did not come through, I'd just have it extracted for $30 and be done with it. In the end, my insurance did come through, and I had the gum surgery a week ago, but like I said, I'd already decided not to have the procedure done if I had to pay that much money for it.

My Dh has done the same thing also. He grew up on well water and had no flouride supplements. As a result, he had literally 24 cavities at his first dental visit when he was six years old. His teeth have continued to be a problem, and he's had a few back teeth extracted rather than pay for expensive procedures. That being said, he was willing to pay for a root canal for a tooth that was closer to the front of his mouth where it would be visible when he smiled.

Have you talked to your dentist about this? They might have a payment plan you could use if you decide to have the work done. My dentist offers an interest-free payment plan. Perhaps yours does also?

Pat :-D

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 11:56am

If you can put off the dental work and save up for it.....

 

Image hosting by TinyPic

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 12:23pm

Hi Pat:

Thanks for your reply! It was very helpful!

I've only talked to the front desk folks about payment, and was told that payment has to be made at the time of service. But I did notice today that they have a sign up saying that it is due in full unless prior arrangements have been made. So I'll talk to the dentist about it next week before she starts working on me. She's a solo practicioner so I guess it will totally be up to her.

Cross your fingers for me, will you? :-)

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 12:26pm

Hi Aravis:

Unfortunately, I can't put off the work to save up for it ... it's absolutely critical to get this tooth handled. I'm already having pain, and from the x-ray, we could see that the cavity is close enough to the root to be a potential abcess in short order. :-( She wanted me back in ASAP to take care of it.

Waaaaaaa...... (I'm such a baby when it comes to dental stuff, LOL!!)

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 3:19pm

There is something called *Care Credit*. You can find it at carecredit.com. It's a credit card that is only used for certain medical needs.. ie.. dental, vision, cometic surgery and even vet's! It covers stuff usual insurance doesn't, and they usually have somekind of promotion with no interest for 6, 12 months (after that.. I think the interest is like 24% though!)

The only catch is that you have to find and use a provider from there list. I applied for one last month because my dog is having surgery, and I didn't know if my own vet (who ISN'T a provider) would work out payments for me. Luckily my Vet did work out payments, and I didn't have to go to another place just because I would have to use the card. But at least it's there if I need it now.. if something big with Dental, or Vision, or another torn ACL in my dog!!

It's just another option to consider.. : )

Good Luck!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 3:35pm

<>

Thanks for the info! I checked into it ... of course my dentist doesn't participate. But she's very reasonably priced compared to others in the area, and I really like her (my whole family including parents & brother's family go to her). So I think I'll stick with her, and then just try to decide to either save the tooth and pay or just have it out.

I appreciate the suggestion, though! :-)

Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 7:25pm

Hi! I am very fussy when I have to deal with health issues. I always opt to spend on my health because I think it is an investment. I am willing and I have gone into more debt for my health. I just want the best. I am worth it. I figure eventually I will catch up on it. It's my health, so I think that nothing should get in the way of it, not even debt.

Littlesbigs (who is still gladly paying off her eyeglasses)

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 9:19pm

<>

Oh, I completely agree with you on this! I was having heart palpitations at the end of last year and went through a complete battery of cardiac testing, which we're still paying off. But knowing that my heart is OK was definitely worth it! :-)

As far as the tooth goes, I guess the reason I'm considering the extraction is because the tooth is already filled with metal and with an add'l filling, it will be more silver than tooth, LOL! So even if I end up with a root canal and cap, it may only be a temporary (albeit several years) fix. The extraction feels like it might be the lesser of two evils, both financially and as far as time spent in the dentist chair! :-)

Amy

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 03-31-2006 - 9:45pm

Honestly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Sat, 04-01-2006 - 8:00am

Becky, I appreciate your thoughts on this! You've obviously been where I am right now (which is not a pleasant place to be, comfort-wise!). From all the feedback I've gotten here and from people IRL, I'm definitely leaning towards the extraction.

I really appreciate everyone's input! :-)

Amy

Pages