Help! Dental Dilemma (Relating to Debt)
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| 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

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over 40 and tired
It was $900 for TWO teeth pulled plus that included an x-ray (which I was none too happy about!
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis
Megan
<>
Thanks for the cautionary note! Yes, I'm aware that it's a possibility. And I am going to discuss all the pros and cons with the dentist before I make a final decision. But I really am afraid this tooth is beyond saving, even if she *is* able to just fill it. She told me it will most likely become extremely sensitive to hot and cold with all that metal in it. The extraction is sounding better and better! And if my dh ever gets a "real" job again with dental insurance, I can always go for a bridge later (that's what my best friend did after she got married and got on her new dh's insurance).
Thanks again!
Amy
<Megan>>
Hi Megan:
I really appreciate your thoughts, and yes, I'm definitely going to discuss all the pros and cons with the dentist before doing anything. However, my decision unfortunately does have to be based (for the most part anyway) on money, as I don't work and my husband has been laid off for over a year and only works part-time jobs. I'm not willing to go into more debt to the tune of almost two thousand dollars to save a tooth that will probably have to come out eventually anyway, ya know?
Thanks for your good wishes!!
Amy
It's a shame that you are having a tough time with funds. I know how expensive the dentist can be. I am in the process of having a titanium implant put in my next to back right tooth. Cost $4,200 and that was with a $400 discount. Even if I had insurance it would not be covered. I also now have a cracked inlay, goodness knows how much this one will cost me.
Just make sure that you do keep a record of all medical expenditure you have in the year, regardless of the procedure or whether it is a prescription. I was able to file my medical expenses doctor plus dentist with my 2005 taxes, and thanks to those I had a larger return. It helps pay for it.
Best of luck.
I see you've gotten alot of replies, which I haven't read, btw.
So here's my quick and dirty 2 cents: BTDT in the same situation. Don't miss the tooth. I think I would miss the money, or in my case, regret the debt.
That's poetic, ain't it... REGRET the DEBT.
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