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

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2005
Sat, 04-01-2006 - 8:56am
I am still stuck on 900.00 for one tooth to be pulled. Where do they come up with the prices. You should see the car my DH's dentist drives. I need major dental work done but with the prices. We have had to put it off for awhile. Put alot of money into DD's mouth before she moved out on her own and then DH had alot of work down and someday it will be my turn.

over 40 and tired

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 04-01-2006 - 9:50am
Hi, I'm a lurker here. Just wanted to add that I have heard that extractions on any tooth (front or back) can make all your teeth shift over time leading to other problems later on. I personally haven't had any teeth pulled yet (50 years old) but I work with people who are in their twenties who have had one or more teeth pulled and their front teeth are now beginning to look like chicklets with large gaps between them. But then again, many times root canals don't work and you have to get the tooth pulled anyway. Just wanted to make you aware of the teeth shifting possibility. I would also do a web search regarding this and see what the professionals say of the pros and cons to extracting teeth. Good luck!
Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 04-01-2006 - 9:59am

It was $900 for TWO teeth pulled plus that included an x-ray (which I was none too happy about!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Sat, 04-01-2006 - 11:00am
I know that each tooth has a major impact on the other teeth -- the tooth has a tooth that it pushes against -- i.e. upper tooth down upon lower teeth -- also maintains the correct alignment in the mouth. Please please discuss with your dentist the pros and cons of keeping the tooth -- money spent now may save you many many many problems down the line. I am speaking from experience with my dh -- not fixing/replacing the upper tooth caused the lower one to loosen and move -- what an expense we had later on. Save the tooth if at all possible -- it costs a lot more to fix the resulting problems the missing tooth can cause. Please do not make this decision based on $$$$ Talk frankly with your dentist and go with her recommendation. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Megan
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 6:25pm

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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

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2003
Sun, 04-02-2006 - 6:28pm

<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

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2001
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 12:16pm

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 3:49pm

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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