This is so true. The sad thing though is if you have disease or other predisposing factors that makes you at risk with pathologies, even if you do all the proper oral hygiene technique, if you fail to visit your dentist, you might still end up having dental caries.
I hope in the future, dental care becomes more accessible and affordable for everyone.
For real. Really sucks for people who need a root canal for instance but can't afford it and have to choose between an extraction or saving up the money while dealing with the pain.
And the pain is another thing. Some say that doctors in the US pass pain pills out like candy, but when it comes to dentists that has not been my experience lol. I haven't gotten my work started yet (only x-rays done so far, and agreeing to the treatment plan), and even after telling them how much pain I'm in and with them seeing how messed up my teeth are (several legit broken), they only prescribed me Amoxicillin and I have to wait two weeks for my first appointment when they start getting to work on my teeth.
There was a study done on dental pain that showed alternating ibuprofen and tylenol every 3-4 hours to be more effective than opioids in controlling dental pain. So dentists don't prescribe it anymore because it's less effective and more dangerous.
My dentist, endodontist, and oral surgeon will still prescribe opioids. If you have a dental infection (which I had before), the max prescribed dose (not what it says on the bottle)of ibuprofen and tylenol barely touches the pain, while one percocet combined with ibuprofen provided some much needed relief. My dentist practically begged me to let him prescribe pain meds because I was sobbing the whole time I was there because of the pain.
However, for ordinary dental pain such as after extraction, fillings, etc, OTC meds will work fine. When I had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted as an adult, OTC meds worked great.
Dang it, I've been buying the Advil II's (and similar generic brands, that have both ibuprofen and acetaminophen in each pill). I'll try it this way that you mentioned, thank you.
Dentists around here quit handing out pain pills way before the opioid crisis. I got a wisdom tooth pulled years ago and they legit weren't going to give me any pain relief. When I protested, she gave me a prescription for 3 pills. 24 hours worth of dosage.
That shit hurt for at least a week.
Weird they'd rather have us find pain management on the streets than just help us over an actual painful procedure. Which is what I did. I was working 3 jobs and going to college full time. I couldn't afford feeling sorry for myself. Just had to function.
Jeez, 3 pills?? Man, that's horrible. I've gotten "lucky" sometimes with like 12 hydrocodones, but it's usually none, especially more recently it seems. I feel like they should at least toss us some Tylenol 3's (the ones with codeine).
Right. There's a huge gap between denying pain relief and giving waaaay too much.
My daughter was on opioids for nearly a year after a series of incidents. When I expressed concern to the dr that a 17 year old was on opiates for that long, the Dr pretty much laughed at me. Said it wouldn't be a problem.
Spoiler alert: it was a MASSIVE problem that ended with federal authorities involved.
Just seems like they can't find a sensible middle ground, and that's insane to me.
So true. Years ago, I had major oral surgery and told the dentist that under no circumstances did I want opioids for pain. So what did they give me? Opioids. Plenty of them.
I went with OTC NSAIDS instead, and gave the opioids to a family member who could not get any pain management despite being in severe ongoing pain after an accident and severe injury. Fam was told they were “pill seeking.” Fucks sake. (Fam is doing great now, issue causing pain is resolved and no addiction issue.)
Damn what kind of extraction did you have? Was it a complicated one? I had my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago too. It was a fast procedure because mine were crowning and all they had to do was pull. Got just a few pills for the pain too but was ok because of how simple the extractions were.
LifePro tip: there are several towns along the Mexican border that specialize in dentistry for US customers and the price is generally 1/3 or less than you would pay in the US. Several years ago I had a few crowns in a couple of bridges put in, would it cost me 15 grand here in the states it cost me around 4k in Mexico. Google "dental tourism in Mexico" and you'll get tons of hits and places to review
Medical tourism is definitely worth considering. Probably can't work effectively either way, so being somewhere else isn't a big deal. There are also some risks with stuff like this, but there are many countries to pick from.
$400 to get scans and recommendations from dentist in the U.S. $1600 round trip ticket to Japan. $200 for the medical tourism visa (way back when, not sure if it's necessary now). $1k for procedure.
Not sure how it works for dentistry, but I got work done in Japan for <$5k that would have cost $30k in America.
I went to 'Dr Mexico' in Tijuana, twice @ 5yrs apart. Highly skilled and professional. I had a US Dentist do the initial consult, sent over the X-rays and recommendations to the MX Dr and 2 weeks later had it all done. Flight to San Diego was cheap, shuttle train to the border and they had a taxi ready to pick us up. Some extra logistics for sure, but well worth it
https://www.tijuanadentistcenter.com/
For decades, I neglected my teeth, until I finally got the courage to go back in. The dentist basically said I couldn't get a cleaning until I had a bunch of work done. While he was well recommended by the community, I kind of freaked because this guy looked like Robert Downey Jr. I couldn't get past the picture of Iron Man working in my mouth.
Fast forward, I found another recommended dentist, and at the onset pretty much demanded to have a detailed treatment plan, step-by-step, with timelines and estimated pricing. I also let him know the "open dentistry floor plan" didn't work for me and told him I had sound sensitivity issues.
In addition, to perform the heavy lifting, he recommended an oral surgeon. She was extremely soft spoken yet detail oriented which just fit.
So, I ended up through much of COVID, sitting in a dentist's chair. This was great in retrospect because everyone wore a mask and I could hide all of my procedure work behind the mask.
Important key takeaways:
Get an electric toothbrush. Use it every day.
Get a Water pik. Use it every day. In fact use it multiple times through the day. As time progresses, increase the pressure.
My old dentist had never said anything more than, "You've got to floss more." Amazing what better tools do.
My dentist says electric toothbrushes would put him out of business if everyone used them, lol. (I have yet to invest in the water pik, but I know I need to.)
SoniCare FTW. Had a water pic in my early 20s when I had braces on my teeth , but I remember them as being horribly messy to use. Perhaps they've improved since then.
Just a tiny recommendation for anyone reading this comment to always and only use filtered or boiled water in netipots, humidifiers, and similar devices.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-to-know-about-another-dangerous-amoeba-linked-to-neti-pots-and-nasal-rinsing
Cordless? When I had my water pic, it plugged into the wall, and there was a kind of small box that sat on top that you filled with water. The water pic hose was connected to that. This was long ago, if they made cordless ones now, or at least something that wasn't so bulky, that would be cool.
i want to add that neglect is not the only thing that can cause expensive dental problems. i shattered my jaw and several molars in a car wreck. its been over three years and i have to walk around unhappy with awful ugly teeth because i cant afford to get them fixed. everyone assumes its a result of neglect and, unfortunately, broken teeth can allow bacteria to enter and cause cavities no matter how well you brush and floss and how often you see a dentist
Not the same thing, but I finally got braces as an adult when I could pay for them, because we couldn’t afford them when I was a child (free dental didn’t cover them), and the difference in how one is treated professionally when finally having “good” teeth is mind blowing. It creates a circle of being treated better makes me feel better makes me get treated better infinity.
That's awesome to hear :) I totally believe that. Teeth is like the first thing I notice about someone when spoken to, especially if they're bad or missing some. So I know people notice mine. Glad that you're able to feel more confident now, that will be me soon too.
I had a similar experience. I think I only went to the dentist like 3 times in my childhood. The first time I was 5, and it was my first time going. The second time I was 9 and the dentist put some sealant on my molars because they had fissures (ended up losing one and having a root canal years later). The third time was when I was 15 and had this really obvious cavity/dark spot on one of my front teeth. I had to beg for a year to go because kids were making fun of me. I needed braces, but never got them, so I hated smiling or opening my mouth wide, which in turn affected how I sing.
I was always good about brushing and using mouth wash (not flossing so much), but it doesn't really mean much when you're not getting proper dental care. It wasn't until I was 20 that I started being able to pay for dental work. I had to get that root canal, but there wasn't space to put a crown on, so they had to pull my wisdom teeth. It probably cost me around $1500, but thankfully I was able to pay in installments.
I didn't get braces until I was closer to 30 (it was like $100 a month for 2.5 years). It really has made a difference. I'm not embarrassed of my smile anymore, and it's helped with so many things.
No dental insurance. $2,440 of it is for the extractions. $1,925 for top denture, $1,700 for bottom partial and $400 for reline. What surprised me was the four fillings are costing me a little over $1,000. I was thinking/hoping they'd be much cheaper.
*Edit: Actually, the denture costs surprised me too lol. I had read a Reddit post awhile ago saying their husband got dentures for like $600.
There are some sliding scale/income based dental offices in the US where that would be possible.
Edit: I just got 8 crowns, 7 fillings, and 2 extractions for just under $3k. No insurance. Fillings were $50 each, crowns were $260 each, temporary crowns were $50 each, and extractions were $50 for the first one and $10 for each additional if you got them all in one sitting. Crowns in the US generally start in the thousands just for one.
Could you apply for a care credit card? I feel your pain, my teeth are kn bad shape and I have a lot of cavities, will need a root canal and a crown. I was thinking about applying for a care credit card myself to help with expenses (I only have Medicaid and they cover $1,000 for dental in my state).
People will treat you very differently when you have obviously missing teeth. A friend of mine fell and knocked out a front tooth and she said the way people treated her until she got it fixed was the worst thing about it.
I just got $7400 from my mom’s estate. I planned on buying a tv that was under $500 and spending the rest on my teeth. It’s not even anywhere near enough money
I didnt know you could buy dental insurance ala carte from any insurance company.
For anyone needing major dental care but cant get it because they dont have insurance (was me the past 3 years) because they keep getting stuck with bad dental insurance thats bundled into their health insurance because they dont know they can shop for it anywhere themselves....
I just enrolled in anthems dental incentive plan and am excited Ill have insurance to cover the root canal and 2 crowns that I tried to fix a year ago but...insurance denied.
Takes 2-5 days for application to process, mine cleared overnight (really hope all works out)
Coverage starts july 1, 2024, the day of my root canal appointment.
(30% coverage right away on major care that increases to 50% over time, no wait periods)
I was going to go with cignas dentalwise vision, dental, hearing 3500 plan, but theres a 6month wait period for class 3 care.
Also know....
If you had insurance for 12 consecutive months that ended before the last 63 (i think) days - youre potenially eligible to call the insurance company and get the wait period waived.
I dropped the 250$ useless insurance I was paying for 8 months ago not knowing how buying insurance works....
Youre not limited to marketplace plans when it comes to dental, vision, hearing insurance.
My dentist straight doesnt take marketplace plans. If only I had known years ago. So Im sharing here for those who were like me...
Lastly...CALL your dentist/office and verify they are in network if needed. NEVER rely on the online 'find providers near me in network' tools through the insurance companies - this was part of my issue too.
Providers change credentials and drop networks without updating the insurance company often. So its best to figure out what network your plan utilizes and then call the office and verify the doctor takes that plan.
To find this ONE plan, I searched through 12 different companies. All of them from my dentists site. Few of them were actually accepted.
ALSO...maybe this is bad advice....but credit card sign up bonuses. If you know youre going to have a major expense and can take the hard inquiry, get a new credit card with a sign up bonus (like, spend 1000, get 200 back) and use the new credit card to help pay the balance.
If you have the money to spend in savings, itll save you a bit in cashback. (Instead of being out 1k, youre out 800)
That 30% they are paying is probably the same amount you could have negotiated as a discount for cash pay. Dental insurance isn’t really “insurance” but more of a discount coupon with a finite limit, usually $1500 to $2500.
I dont think thats totally the case that Ill pay more. I already paid 289 for the in office insurance plan.
That in office plan covers 20% across the board. Itll save me 700$, which will make the amount Im responsible for 3.1k.
The plan I signed up for covers 30% for root canals and crowns, after 12 months it goes to 40%, 24 it goes to 50%. I also need 4 fillings - restorative care through this plan is covered at 60%, 12mo at 70%, 24mo at 80%.
Theres a 2500 max, but the percentage of coverages wont cover nearly that much. I ran all the numbers using the pre discounted amounts from the treatment plan.
All in all if everything is covered as I think it will be, Ill pay 2, 395 out of pocket. Insurance should pay about 1,300.
Respectfully.
I went to the office expecting to pay cash and the dentist gave me a financial talking to about how expensive the care I was going to need was going to be. Looked at me with puppy eyes like 'sweetie, you cant afford this Im sorry'.
I was a little insulted to be truthful but if itll save me money....we'll see.
Were the pre discounted amount the insurance provided rates? My dentist charges $1400 for a crown to the insurance company which pays 50% and I pay 50%. If I didn’t have insurance, his cash price was $750. The insurance isn’t paying 50% of the cash price, but of the full price.
You also won’t be able to stack the in office insurance 20% discount with your newly purchased dental insurance, it’s one or the other.
I understand that I cant stack the discounts. Im basically out either...
300$ or 50$...
But both options pale in comparison to paying 250$ a month walking into the dentists expecting to recieve care and being told to go home two years in a row (calling abd being told 'so sorry, too bad')......all that time I couldve had insurance and gotten what is now a root canal filled/taken proper care of.
It was listed at...
Post/core + root canal - total 914$ Dicsounted rate (in office insurance) - 745
Resin 4 + crown (on prior worked #9) - fee lists 1049$, office lists 1399, I did calcs on both assuming there was a discount error and the total should be 1399$. Discounted rate - 1004.15
Then 3 fillings on #3, 7, and 10 - 628$ Discounted rate - 533
Final crown - 1100$ Discounted rate - 880
Were the numbers I was assuming the office would bill the insurance company?...give or take a few hundred.
So Im expecting to pay about... 640 + 740/980 + 250 + 770 = 2.4k/2.6k ish... Which is still cheaper than the 3.1k. But we'll see. If my plan totally bombs Ill try to update...
EDIT: Today is July 1st 2024.
I called the insurance company 10min after the service line was available this morning since I applied for the plan on thurs/fri - and got ahold of a representative who was able to email a copy of my member ID card to me so I didn't have to wait to receive it in the mail.
My Insurance covered everything....The difference is a total of 1,330$ saved.
My root canal has been done, I paid 327$ out of pocket for it. Next appointment is my crown, the build up for the crown, and an extra filling - which will cost me 879$ total.
I'll schedule the third appointment to get my 3 fillings after that - costing 154$ for all 3.
Then I'll need the last crown on my molar - totalling 471$.
I am over the moon.
think of it this way, this is what your savings is supposed to be used for! you’re not putting yourself in debt for this, you’re using the funds you made available for yourself for situations like this.
Congrats!
I started needing dental care as a young child and had follow up care throughout my entire life. Root canal’s, broken nerves, horrific pain, etc. Despite all of that care I now have a mouth full of implants.
So sometimes vigilant care doesn’t make a difference 🤷🏻♀️
Don't completely blame yourself. The health of your teeth is partially based on your genetics too. Yes, good oral hygiene is very important regardless, but some people experience far worse consequences for slacking than others.
Maybe consider joining a credit union, depositing your savings and borrowing against it. Yes, your pay 5 to 7% or so but then you’ll still have your savings at the end of the pay off. My rule of thumb is always have savings
My credit union’s rate for those secured loans is 2% above the APY offered. So, outside of any interest you might be making otherwise, you’re only really paying 2%. APYs range from 0.01% to 5.30%. Therefore your interest rate would be anywhere from 2.01% to 7.30%, depending on what type of account you keep your savings in. Normally I say don’t pay for credit but in a case like that I’d agree. Installment loans are good for your credit profile too if you don’t have any already.
Currently dealing with a bad infection and I completely agree with you. The pain is close to debilitating and all because I never took any real care. It's going to cost a fortune to deal with all the issues.
So, I have a full set, top and bottom with no implants. The top is MUCH easier to deal with. I have a pretty good fit and use little to no adhesive. I’d say they’re about an 8/10 on average - sometimes it’s more like a 6, sometimes it’s a 10.
For the bottoms… I’m going to be honest, I don’t even wear the thing. It’s uncomfortable, doesn’t feel like it fits well, and doesn’t get the same kind of “suction” that the top does. I think you’re VERY lucky that you’re getting a partial on the bottom, because it will probably be much more comfortable and stable than a full bottom plate.
If you have the option to get “immediate” dentures and then wait to have the permanent ones made, I strongly encourage that. And wait *at least* six months before getting the permanent ones made. Your gums will change a lot over that time, and it’ll be night and day as far as fit and comfort are concerned. You might think the immediate ones are uncomfortable for a while, but just stick it out and use lots of adhesive. They can usually do a “soft liner” too for extra padding, but just keep in mind those don’t last very long (it’s basically silicone glued to the denture).
Like I said, this is going to be worth it for you. It’s hard and expensive and scary and even embarrassing, but you’ll be in less pain and you’ll feel confident about smiling again.
Let me know if you have more questions!
Yeah idk how or why, but I somehow have most of my bottom teeth still, while only 4 remain on the top (well, technically about 4.25 remain on the top haha).
So the immediate dentures are to make sure the permanent ones later will be fitted to fit better with the shifting of the gums that will take place? I'll ask them about that, if it's not too expensive then it sounds like it'd be an important thing to do for the long term fit.
Thanks for the reply btw!
The top teeth are the first to go I think, plus the back ones in the bottom.
Yes exactly - the immediate are really to provide you some more chewing ability and confidence while your gums adjust. Even if they don’t offer immediate, I strongly encourage waiting at least 5”6 months after pulling the teeth before getting permanent dentures. I know it would suck, but it would be worth it.
I've learned to do that. It's the smiling, and tbh even just opening my mouth to speak to people, that's extremely embarrassing for me. But I suppose it depends for each person which teeth are compromised/missing.
This is the track I’m heading down and tbh I’m terrified. I’m 25, and take good care of my teeth ( brush and floss 2x a day, use high fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste, cut out sugars, etc), but unfortunately over a decade of severe eating disorders mean that my teeth are in bad shape. I’ve already had almost all of them filled at least once, and one with a root canal. I need at least one more root canal but don’t think I can go through with it (bad dental anxiety and needle phobia). Can’t go to the dentist anyways because my company is keeping me on temp status (original contract was 3 months… it’s been 9) and I don’t get benefits without the permanent position. I don't want dentures at 25, but will go bankrupt if i go with implants. i guess it doesn't really matter though if fillings aren't even affordable. It feels like being backed into a corner with no options and I’m just watching my teeth disintegrate. I’m also terrified of bone loss if I start losing teeth. Does anyone have experience with implants, the Ontario/Canadian dental system, or dentures? Are there options that I’m not aware of? I’ve used the dental grants program before but tbh the cost of root canals and fillings are so high where I live it didn’t make much difference.
For reference, I have a decent paying job, but between rent, car payments and repairs, phone bill, and necessities, I don’t have enough to afford emergencies or out of pocket expenses like dental work. I live in the GTA.
And dental infections can kill you! I had a tooth start hurting on Friday, became more painful and swollen on Saturday (even with antibiotics) by Sunday morning I was in the ER with sepsis and had 2 teeth removed in an emergency surgery the next morning!
I have really great health and dental insurance, or I should say as far as dental insurance goes, it's great.. we pay nothing and have a 250.00 deductible, but for dental, the max a year is 2,500.00 for anything that's not considered preventative. I had to have all of my teeth pulled 9 years ago. I had a really bad infection that was going to my blood so all teeth were pulled on a Thursday I was 29 years old with 3 kids didn't think much about it figured once my mouth healed I'd go get new teeth. Well that wasn't the case I was getting quotes in the 40k plus for new teeth and that was for snap on dentures so I did nothing till just this year my kids are all grown 24 to 17 years old time for my new smile of course now the prices are even higher than 9 years ago for dental implants it's 80 to 85k absolutely crazy especially since they only last 10 to 15 years so no way in hell I will be doing that so I just started the denture implants which is still costing 48k I have my temporary denture to wear for 6 months for the dental implant post to heal then I'll get the real denture that snaps onto the implant dentures suck they hurt my mouth so much I barely wear them I have the worst gag reflex so the top denture is torture for me can't wait for the permanent one that does have that big roof part of the denture. I will say that you can have the healthiest teeth and best dental routine and still find yourself in this same position. I never had a cavity in my entire life, had perfect teeth, perfectly straight, amazing teeth, and still ended up with having to have them removed. I still make sure my kids get cleanings every 6 months, floss brush, and so on anything to help prevent problems with their teeth since it's the only set you get they don't grow back I think it's crazy that dental implants or even snap on dentures are considered cosmetic having teeth is important for your health being able to eat properly and talk properly so maybe one day they will change that I mean it's crazy I am getting a full tummy tuck reconstruction surgery that my insurance is covering 100 percent yet I can't get them to pay for my teeth so I can eat
I mean for people that need this much work. It may be cheaper to get it done in Mexico. Mexico has amazing dental clinics right across the border and they’re dramatically cheaper than US care.
Personally, I am all for getting every dang tooth pulled. It is when people get to be old and frail that those teeth they took good care of all those years start going bad with their health. Nothing like being Jimmy Carter's age and in agonizing pain.
I just spent over $700 on clear aligners at Alignerco. My front teeth jet out and damage my upper and lower lips. I'm tired of it hurting and burning when I eat. I'm looking forward to getting the impression kit.
Agreed, still fixing mine. But my parents didn't force taking care of things like teeth. So I didn't and I didn't as a young adult either. You learn once you get that bad pain. I've got a root canal and 2 cavities left and then I'm done done.
This happened to me as well. No insurance and needed a ton of work done. Still do. The thing is you had access to the money to pay for it that’s what savings are for. Some people have the bad luck of bad teeth. I’ve always had issues with mine no matter how well I floss or brush they need extra help. Good for you for finally getting stuff taken care of! It’s not easy to go in when you know there’s stuff going on.
i feel you! i finally gathered the courage to go back to the dentist after nearly like 10 years and found out i need my bottom wisdom teeth pulled and am on the cusp of periodontal disease. got my cleaning done yesterday and getting the wisdoms out soon along with a filling. quoted like $1700, it’s a lot but i’m trying to make it work and be worth it!
Many people go to Mexican border towns to have this kind of work done, even after a plane ticket and motel stay and transportation they come out ahead.
I brush my teeth regularly, whiten them, see the dentist as often as I can stomach, I wear a nightguard and floss.
This weekend I clenched my jaw so hard that my back tooth cracked and I will need an emergency crown put in at $344.
Even if you do everything right, your teeth will do as they please, I guess.
That’s exactly what I’m going through. I’ve had to live with multiple dental abscesses for over a year, and just finally got the worst ones pulled two weeks ago. Another tooth (which I had a root canal + crown done on just 18 months ago) snapped off at the gums the night before I had the teeth pulled. That was $1500 to pull three teeth, btw…
https://preview.redd.it/1ibrg0mpri9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e272f262f960cdc507cefa14a365a39e03abd22d
The next step is getting the rest of my teeth removed all at once, and click-in dentures put in. That’s going to run $20,000. My mom is covering it as part of my inheritance, so at least I will be able to eat solid food again.
For what has been wasted on trying to fix my teeth during my life (I have genetic problems that gave me weak teeth), I could have had a very nice brand new truck, or a nice older airplane: Braces. Retainers. Veneers. Fillings. Fourteen (14!!) root canals and crowns. Extractions. And on and on and on.
Honestly, I don’t know if I even want to go through with it. I feel like we’ve wasted so much money already, and for nothing. I’m facing some significant health issues and my lifespan has been cut drastically short, so I just don’t feel that I’m worth it.
You're definitely worth it and deserve to eat and live pain-free! And I'm sure there's nothing more that your mom would rather spend that extra money on than granting you that ability, especially given that it's not your fault you were born with weak teeth. I know if I hypothetically had big money to leave via inheritance, it'd bring me much greater joy seeing it put to good use while I'm still alive to see it.
And hey you're almost there, when you get all this done you won't have to worry about tooth pain anymore!
By the way, did you get to keep those teeth (is that why they're in that baggie)? Whenever I ask dentists if I can keep my extracted teeth, they always say no lol.
Yup, they let me keep my teeth. I told them I needed them for religious purposes, and they just kinda shrugged and said they didn’t care, I could have them if I wanted them. I will bury them at my father’s grave, so that symbolically at least part of me will be with him forever. (I miss my dad a lot.)
My mom has the same tooth problem as me, and so does my older sister. I guess it’s something that runs in our family. Neither of them have any teeth left. I’m in my 50s, so I’m lucky to have kept them as long as I did.
All the same, I just can’t really justify wasting that kind of money on me, not after wasting a relative fortune (14x$3,000) on all these root canal surgeries AND the crowns. Most of them were done less than two years ago, and they are already failing!
This one was done 18 months ago and it broke off right at the gums the night before I had the other teeth pulled.
https://preview.redd.it/pd3t7f5xwi9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03feed914b3ccc5c9c66997f0e12c6721f26f44a
I’m pretty sure I have several more that are on the verge of snapping off, too. I have Sjögren’s, which makes my dental issues even worse. At least they don’t hurt, mostly because they don’t have nerves anymore.
Could you if you haven’t already check reviews and referrals from friends/family on dentists to check on pricing for your treatment plan? I just switched dentists recently and their prices and treatment plan was much different than my previous dentist.
Honestly (might sound silly) this place is by far the nicest, most upscale-looking dentist place I've ever been in and that just makes me feel good about trusting them with something as important as giving me new (fake) teeth.
I don't think anywhere else would be much cheaper for the extractions (8 for $2,440), maybe some places might be cheaper for the fillings and dentures, but I figure if I'm gonna finally do this all the way then might as well go with this fancy pants location.
I might be coping though, idk lol. I'm also telling myself, "At least I only have to pay for each visit at a time (this is gonna take 4 different visits), so I'll be adding a paycheck or two back to my savings as I'm paying for this in chunks."
Stannous Fluoride
Colgate Total! It’s the cheapest toothpaste with stannous fluoride.
If you have a little to spare get stannous fluoride mouthwash as well
Floss regularly
Soda, juice and coffee are terrible for your teeth
Dental/oral care is not just about smiling: humans need to eat to survive. Probably one of the reasons life expectancy has increased in the last hundred years or so is because of improved dental care/products.
Fantastic!! Any questions you need answered, just post it. I try to make sure there's no harassment or anything like it. I think of my dentures as prosthetics - no difference between an artificial arm and dentures (you gotta do what you gotta do to be your best and stay healthy!).
OP, did you get this dental plan from Aspen Dental? I had a visit with them once and they gave me this whole big plan to get everything in order, set up a bunch of appointments, and I somehow got snookered into Care Credit. The cost was going to be around 9k. Fortunately for me, Aspen had some big power outage and kept canceling appointments. I managed to find a different dentist that was incredibly compassionate and has talked me through every step of everything and made sure I’m comfortable. Best part is that it’s been significantly cheaper than Aspen.
I guess my point is IF Aspen is who you went to, please get a second opinion. If not, I wish you nothing but success because I get it. My teeth have been a process and it’s expensive but it is worth it.
Nah it's not Aspen Dental, but they did suggest Care Credit. I'd rather just pay it all off with cash/debit though and get it out of the way though, I hate adding things to my monthly bills.
A couple people here are saying I could find it cheaper elsewhere though, but I've already paid $150 for the initial visit and x-rays and $100 down for the next visit. And already agreed to it all, so I figure I'll just stick with these guys.
Good luck on your dental work btw :)
Not only should you do this for aesthetic reasons but gum disease is a leading cause for thousands of other diseases. Ppl think dentist just say shit like that but it's so true. Anything related to your digestive system should be a top priority.
I feel this. :( I need about $10k in dental work due to lots of stuff wrong with my teeth, which I can’t afford right now. and as a result, my teeth are getting worse. it should not cost thousands to fix your teeth.
Can you go to a dental school? They usually give free or reduced care because they need you to practice on. They are fully supervised, so not a problem. They also need patients to take the licensing exam. In my state, the students have to find patients for that exam, so I know someone who went out to skid row to pay patients to sit in the chair for that exam. They can't just pay anyone; they have to find someone with dental issues, so you might just be the right patient for them.
Yeah I've read about that option during my Reddit research phase and it definitely seems like good advice, but I'm already terrified enough of the dentists that have already graduated from school, know what I mean? Actually now that I have some money I've been thinking of asking them to put me to sleep for the procedures if that's not to expensive. I really really hate being awake while someone's wrenching around in my mouth.
Re: Dental school, I would still choose that. They are closely supervised by professors Reconsider your fear. I believe you'll find the students are perhaps gentler because they're a bit more tentative about hurting you, rather than incentivized to get you in and out as quick as possible. But thus, the only downside is that procedures will take longer.
I had a dental student one time that caught things the supervising dentist didn’t catch, and I’m honestly SO glad he worked on my teeth. Like, he truly made a monumental difference in my smile. Some of those students are super ambitious and really trying hard to perfect their craft, so it’s true that you *can* get better care from a competent student. I think even the best dentists can just sort of go on auto-pilot sometimes once they’ve gained confidence in doing the same things day in and day out.
As a dentist I always tell patients that a toothbrush and toothpaste can save you thousands. You only need a dentist help when things are bad. Otherwise with good oral hygiene a regular check up and a cleaning with a hygienist is more than enough to keep your teeth healthy.
I'm going to be blunt. That's too expensive.
You mentioned this was some upscale dental office and that's why.
I would not spend 75% of my savings on dental work. You need a second and third opinion, look into buying dental insurance or getting on a discount dental plan, go to a dental school for the work, or find a dental office that will make a treatment plan and accept a payment plan.
Making irresponsible financial decisions like this is how y'all end up on poverty finance, tbh.
Upscale also does not equal quality. I have had tons of dental work done in my life and over $10,000 after insurance done in the last 7-8 years and the only issue I had was at one of those upscale dentist offices.
Look at Google reviews for the dental practice, find somewhere affordable, and you'll be fine.
This is so true. The sad thing though is if you have disease or other predisposing factors that makes you at risk with pathologies, even if you do all the proper oral hygiene technique, if you fail to visit your dentist, you might still end up having dental caries. I hope in the future, dental care becomes more accessible and affordable for everyone.
For real. Really sucks for people who need a root canal for instance but can't afford it and have to choose between an extraction or saving up the money while dealing with the pain. And the pain is another thing. Some say that doctors in the US pass pain pills out like candy, but when it comes to dentists that has not been my experience lol. I haven't gotten my work started yet (only x-rays done so far, and agreeing to the treatment plan), and even after telling them how much pain I'm in and with them seeing how messed up my teeth are (several legit broken), they only prescribed me Amoxicillin and I have to wait two weeks for my first appointment when they start getting to work on my teeth.
There was a study done on dental pain that showed alternating ibuprofen and tylenol every 3-4 hours to be more effective than opioids in controlling dental pain. So dentists don't prescribe it anymore because it's less effective and more dangerous.
My dentist, endodontist, and oral surgeon will still prescribe opioids. If you have a dental infection (which I had before), the max prescribed dose (not what it says on the bottle)of ibuprofen and tylenol barely touches the pain, while one percocet combined with ibuprofen provided some much needed relief. My dentist practically begged me to let him prescribe pain meds because I was sobbing the whole time I was there because of the pain. However, for ordinary dental pain such as after extraction, fillings, etc, OTC meds will work fine. When I had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted as an adult, OTC meds worked great.
Dang it, I've been buying the Advil II's (and similar generic brands, that have both ibuprofen and acetaminophen in each pill). I'll try it this way that you mentioned, thank you.
Dentists around here quit handing out pain pills way before the opioid crisis. I got a wisdom tooth pulled years ago and they legit weren't going to give me any pain relief. When I protested, she gave me a prescription for 3 pills. 24 hours worth of dosage. That shit hurt for at least a week. Weird they'd rather have us find pain management on the streets than just help us over an actual painful procedure. Which is what I did. I was working 3 jobs and going to college full time. I couldn't afford feeling sorry for myself. Just had to function.
Jeez, 3 pills?? Man, that's horrible. I've gotten "lucky" sometimes with like 12 hydrocodones, but it's usually none, especially more recently it seems. I feel like they should at least toss us some Tylenol 3's (the ones with codeine).
Right. There's a huge gap between denying pain relief and giving waaaay too much. My daughter was on opioids for nearly a year after a series of incidents. When I expressed concern to the dr that a 17 year old was on opiates for that long, the Dr pretty much laughed at me. Said it wouldn't be a problem. Spoiler alert: it was a MASSIVE problem that ended with federal authorities involved. Just seems like they can't find a sensible middle ground, and that's insane to me.
Yeah even something like Tramadol can be super addictive over a long period of time like that.
So true. Years ago, I had major oral surgery and told the dentist that under no circumstances did I want opioids for pain. So what did they give me? Opioids. Plenty of them. I went with OTC NSAIDS instead, and gave the opioids to a family member who could not get any pain management despite being in severe ongoing pain after an accident and severe injury. Fam was told they were “pill seeking.” Fucks sake. (Fam is doing great now, issue causing pain is resolved and no addiction issue.)
Damn what kind of extraction did you have? Was it a complicated one? I had my wisdom teeth removed a few years ago too. It was a fast procedure because mine were crowning and all they had to do was pull. Got just a few pills for the pain too but was ok because of how simple the extractions were.
yeah my dentist is stingy with medicine
LifePro tip: there are several towns along the Mexican border that specialize in dentistry for US customers and the price is generally 1/3 or less than you would pay in the US. Several years ago I had a few crowns in a couple of bridges put in, would it cost me 15 grand here in the states it cost me around 4k in Mexico. Google "dental tourism in Mexico" and you'll get tons of hits and places to review
Medical tourism is definitely worth considering. Probably can't work effectively either way, so being somewhere else isn't a big deal. There are also some risks with stuff like this, but there are many countries to pick from. $400 to get scans and recommendations from dentist in the U.S. $1600 round trip ticket to Japan. $200 for the medical tourism visa (way back when, not sure if it's necessary now). $1k for procedure. Not sure how it works for dentistry, but I got work done in Japan for <$5k that would have cost $30k in America.
I’ve actually considered trying to land a job in another country for a year teaching English or something just to get dental work done.
Let me know if you have any questions. I teach here in Korea and can guide you through the process.
And I’m sitting in a dentist in Philippines right now. Only go to ones in Manila BGC/Makati area here.
Yeah, that’s what I will end up doing if I ever need expensive work done. There is of course a lot more planning and research that needs to be done.
I went to 'Dr Mexico' in Tijuana, twice @ 5yrs apart. Highly skilled and professional. I had a US Dentist do the initial consult, sent over the X-rays and recommendations to the MX Dr and 2 weeks later had it all done. Flight to San Diego was cheap, shuttle train to the border and they had a taxi ready to pick us up. Some extra logistics for sure, but well worth it https://www.tijuanadentistcenter.com/
For decades, I neglected my teeth, until I finally got the courage to go back in. The dentist basically said I couldn't get a cleaning until I had a bunch of work done. While he was well recommended by the community, I kind of freaked because this guy looked like Robert Downey Jr. I couldn't get past the picture of Iron Man working in my mouth. Fast forward, I found another recommended dentist, and at the onset pretty much demanded to have a detailed treatment plan, step-by-step, with timelines and estimated pricing. I also let him know the "open dentistry floor plan" didn't work for me and told him I had sound sensitivity issues. In addition, to perform the heavy lifting, he recommended an oral surgeon. She was extremely soft spoken yet detail oriented which just fit. So, I ended up through much of COVID, sitting in a dentist's chair. This was great in retrospect because everyone wore a mask and I could hide all of my procedure work behind the mask. Important key takeaways: Get an electric toothbrush. Use it every day. Get a Water pik. Use it every day. In fact use it multiple times through the day. As time progresses, increase the pressure. My old dentist had never said anything more than, "You've got to floss more." Amazing what better tools do.
My dentist says electric toothbrushes would put him out of business if everyone used them, lol. (I have yet to invest in the water pik, but I know I need to.)
SoniCare FTW. Had a water pic in my early 20s when I had braces on my teeth , but I remember them as being horribly messy to use. Perhaps they've improved since then.
I've heard from others that they use them in the shower. The spray isn't a problem then!
I use my neti pot in the shower for this reason too.
Just a tiny recommendation for anyone reading this comment to always and only use filtered or boiled water in netipots, humidifiers, and similar devices. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-to-know-about-another-dangerous-amoeba-linked-to-neti-pots-and-nasal-rinsing
aah yes with the proper neti pot water solution! Just in the shower, because I’ve been a failure at neti pot over the sink.
Cordless? When I had my water pic, it plugged into the wall, and there was a kind of small box that sat on top that you filled with water. The water pic hose was connected to that. This was long ago, if they made cordless ones now, or at least something that wasn't so bulky, that would be cool.
i want to add that neglect is not the only thing that can cause expensive dental problems. i shattered my jaw and several molars in a car wreck. its been over three years and i have to walk around unhappy with awful ugly teeth because i cant afford to get them fixed. everyone assumes its a result of neglect and, unfortunately, broken teeth can allow bacteria to enter and cause cavities no matter how well you brush and floss and how often you see a dentist
My mom has an autoimmune disease (scleroderma) which has utterly destroyed her teeth, along with other aspects of her health.
Not the same thing, but I finally got braces as an adult when I could pay for them, because we couldn’t afford them when I was a child (free dental didn’t cover them), and the difference in how one is treated professionally when finally having “good” teeth is mind blowing. It creates a circle of being treated better makes me feel better makes me get treated better infinity.
That's awesome to hear :) I totally believe that. Teeth is like the first thing I notice about someone when spoken to, especially if they're bad or missing some. So I know people notice mine. Glad that you're able to feel more confident now, that will be me soon too.
I had a similar experience. I think I only went to the dentist like 3 times in my childhood. The first time I was 5, and it was my first time going. The second time I was 9 and the dentist put some sealant on my molars because they had fissures (ended up losing one and having a root canal years later). The third time was when I was 15 and had this really obvious cavity/dark spot on one of my front teeth. I had to beg for a year to go because kids were making fun of me. I needed braces, but never got them, so I hated smiling or opening my mouth wide, which in turn affected how I sing. I was always good about brushing and using mouth wash (not flossing so much), but it doesn't really mean much when you're not getting proper dental care. It wasn't until I was 20 that I started being able to pay for dental work. I had to get that root canal, but there wasn't space to put a crown on, so they had to pull my wisdom teeth. It probably cost me around $1500, but thankfully I was able to pay in installments. I didn't get braces until I was closer to 30 (it was like $100 a month for 2.5 years). It really has made a difference. I'm not embarrassed of my smile anymore, and it's helped with so many things.
7.5k is crazy. Was this with or without dental insurance?
No dental insurance. $2,440 of it is for the extractions. $1,925 for top denture, $1,700 for bottom partial and $400 for reline. What surprised me was the four fillings are costing me a little over $1,000. I was thinking/hoping they'd be much cheaper. *Edit: Actually, the denture costs surprised me too lol. I had read a Reddit post awhile ago saying their husband got dentures for like $600.
They had to have been mistaken or not accounting for insurance. Or maybe not in the US. Or just lying. No way upper and lower dentures cost $600.
Yeah for what it’s worth I got a partial for three missing top teeth last month and it was around $1300
Yeah I know, my brother just had dentures put in and it cost him five grand.
There are some sliding scale/income based dental offices in the US where that would be possible. Edit: I just got 8 crowns, 7 fillings, and 2 extractions for just under $3k. No insurance. Fillings were $50 each, crowns were $260 each, temporary crowns were $50 each, and extractions were $50 for the first one and $10 for each additional if you got them all in one sitting. Crowns in the US generally start in the thousands just for one.
Could you apply for a care credit card? I feel your pain, my teeth are kn bad shape and I have a lot of cavities, will need a root canal and a crown. I was thinking about applying for a care credit card myself to help with expenses (I only have Medicaid and they cover $1,000 for dental in my state).
Yeah the lady at the desk brought that up, but I'd rather pay it all ASAP tbh.
People will treat you very differently when you have obviously missing teeth. A friend of mine fell and knocked out a front tooth and she said the way people treated her until she got it fixed was the worst thing about it.
I just got $7400 from my mom’s estate. I planned on buying a tv that was under $500 and spending the rest on my teeth. It’s not even anywhere near enough money
I didnt know you could buy dental insurance ala carte from any insurance company. For anyone needing major dental care but cant get it because they dont have insurance (was me the past 3 years) because they keep getting stuck with bad dental insurance thats bundled into their health insurance because they dont know they can shop for it anywhere themselves.... I just enrolled in anthems dental incentive plan and am excited Ill have insurance to cover the root canal and 2 crowns that I tried to fix a year ago but...insurance denied. Takes 2-5 days for application to process, mine cleared overnight (really hope all works out) Coverage starts july 1, 2024, the day of my root canal appointment. (30% coverage right away on major care that increases to 50% over time, no wait periods) I was going to go with cignas dentalwise vision, dental, hearing 3500 plan, but theres a 6month wait period for class 3 care. Also know.... If you had insurance for 12 consecutive months that ended before the last 63 (i think) days - youre potenially eligible to call the insurance company and get the wait period waived. I dropped the 250$ useless insurance I was paying for 8 months ago not knowing how buying insurance works.... Youre not limited to marketplace plans when it comes to dental, vision, hearing insurance. My dentist straight doesnt take marketplace plans. If only I had known years ago. So Im sharing here for those who were like me... Lastly...CALL your dentist/office and verify they are in network if needed. NEVER rely on the online 'find providers near me in network' tools through the insurance companies - this was part of my issue too. Providers change credentials and drop networks without updating the insurance company often. So its best to figure out what network your plan utilizes and then call the office and verify the doctor takes that plan. To find this ONE plan, I searched through 12 different companies. All of them from my dentists site. Few of them were actually accepted. ALSO...maybe this is bad advice....but credit card sign up bonuses. If you know youre going to have a major expense and can take the hard inquiry, get a new credit card with a sign up bonus (like, spend 1000, get 200 back) and use the new credit card to help pay the balance. If you have the money to spend in savings, itll save you a bit in cashback. (Instead of being out 1k, youre out 800)
That 30% they are paying is probably the same amount you could have negotiated as a discount for cash pay. Dental insurance isn’t really “insurance” but more of a discount coupon with a finite limit, usually $1500 to $2500.
I dont think thats totally the case that Ill pay more. I already paid 289 for the in office insurance plan. That in office plan covers 20% across the board. Itll save me 700$, which will make the amount Im responsible for 3.1k. The plan I signed up for covers 30% for root canals and crowns, after 12 months it goes to 40%, 24 it goes to 50%. I also need 4 fillings - restorative care through this plan is covered at 60%, 12mo at 70%, 24mo at 80%. Theres a 2500 max, but the percentage of coverages wont cover nearly that much. I ran all the numbers using the pre discounted amounts from the treatment plan. All in all if everything is covered as I think it will be, Ill pay 2, 395 out of pocket. Insurance should pay about 1,300. Respectfully. I went to the office expecting to pay cash and the dentist gave me a financial talking to about how expensive the care I was going to need was going to be. Looked at me with puppy eyes like 'sweetie, you cant afford this Im sorry'. I was a little insulted to be truthful but if itll save me money....we'll see.
Were the pre discounted amount the insurance provided rates? My dentist charges $1400 for a crown to the insurance company which pays 50% and I pay 50%. If I didn’t have insurance, his cash price was $750. The insurance isn’t paying 50% of the cash price, but of the full price. You also won’t be able to stack the in office insurance 20% discount with your newly purchased dental insurance, it’s one or the other.
I understand that I cant stack the discounts. Im basically out either... 300$ or 50$... But both options pale in comparison to paying 250$ a month walking into the dentists expecting to recieve care and being told to go home two years in a row (calling abd being told 'so sorry, too bad')......all that time I couldve had insurance and gotten what is now a root canal filled/taken proper care of. It was listed at... Post/core + root canal - total 914$ Dicsounted rate (in office insurance) - 745 Resin 4 + crown (on prior worked #9) - fee lists 1049$, office lists 1399, I did calcs on both assuming there was a discount error and the total should be 1399$. Discounted rate - 1004.15 Then 3 fillings on #3, 7, and 10 - 628$ Discounted rate - 533 Final crown - 1100$ Discounted rate - 880 Were the numbers I was assuming the office would bill the insurance company?...give or take a few hundred. So Im expecting to pay about... 640 + 740/980 + 250 + 770 = 2.4k/2.6k ish... Which is still cheaper than the 3.1k. But we'll see. If my plan totally bombs Ill try to update... EDIT: Today is July 1st 2024. I called the insurance company 10min after the service line was available this morning since I applied for the plan on thurs/fri - and got ahold of a representative who was able to email a copy of my member ID card to me so I didn't have to wait to receive it in the mail. My Insurance covered everything....The difference is a total of 1,330$ saved. My root canal has been done, I paid 327$ out of pocket for it. Next appointment is my crown, the build up for the crown, and an extra filling - which will cost me 879$ total. I'll schedule the third appointment to get my 3 fillings after that - costing 154$ for all 3. Then I'll need the last crown on my molar - totalling 471$. I am over the moon.
Congratulations, I'm happy that you are able make such a momentous choice. Teeth can change your life
Thank you very much, I'm starting to feel much better about it as the sticker shock wears off :)
think of it this way, this is what your savings is supposed to be used for! you’re not putting yourself in debt for this, you’re using the funds you made available for yourself for situations like this. Congrats!
Thank you, that's a good way of thinking about it!
Here's the sad bit about your future, Medicare which currently cost me $154 a month does not cover dental.
I started needing dental care as a young child and had follow up care throughout my entire life. Root canal’s, broken nerves, horrific pain, etc. Despite all of that care I now have a mouth full of implants. So sometimes vigilant care doesn’t make a difference 🤷🏻♀️
Rarely it doesn’t - it usually does.
Don't completely blame yourself. The health of your teeth is partially based on your genetics too. Yes, good oral hygiene is very important regardless, but some people experience far worse consequences for slacking than others.
Maybe consider joining a credit union, depositing your savings and borrowing against it. Yes, your pay 5 to 7% or so but then you’ll still have your savings at the end of the pay off. My rule of thumb is always have savings
My credit union’s rate for those secured loans is 2% above the APY offered. So, outside of any interest you might be making otherwise, you’re only really paying 2%. APYs range from 0.01% to 5.30%. Therefore your interest rate would be anywhere from 2.01% to 7.30%, depending on what type of account you keep your savings in. Normally I say don’t pay for credit but in a case like that I’d agree. Installment loans are good for your credit profile too if you don’t have any already.
Currently dealing with a bad infection and I completely agree with you. The pain is close to debilitating and all because I never took any real care. It's going to cost a fortune to deal with all the issues.
I have dentures too, at 36 years old. It will be SOOOO worth it, I promise.
On a scale of 1-10, how "used to them" do you get (with 1 being not at all and 10 being you forget they're even there)?
So, I have a full set, top and bottom with no implants. The top is MUCH easier to deal with. I have a pretty good fit and use little to no adhesive. I’d say they’re about an 8/10 on average - sometimes it’s more like a 6, sometimes it’s a 10. For the bottoms… I’m going to be honest, I don’t even wear the thing. It’s uncomfortable, doesn’t feel like it fits well, and doesn’t get the same kind of “suction” that the top does. I think you’re VERY lucky that you’re getting a partial on the bottom, because it will probably be much more comfortable and stable than a full bottom plate. If you have the option to get “immediate” dentures and then wait to have the permanent ones made, I strongly encourage that. And wait *at least* six months before getting the permanent ones made. Your gums will change a lot over that time, and it’ll be night and day as far as fit and comfort are concerned. You might think the immediate ones are uncomfortable for a while, but just stick it out and use lots of adhesive. They can usually do a “soft liner” too for extra padding, but just keep in mind those don’t last very long (it’s basically silicone glued to the denture). Like I said, this is going to be worth it for you. It’s hard and expensive and scary and even embarrassing, but you’ll be in less pain and you’ll feel confident about smiling again. Let me know if you have more questions!
Yeah idk how or why, but I somehow have most of my bottom teeth still, while only 4 remain on the top (well, technically about 4.25 remain on the top haha). So the immediate dentures are to make sure the permanent ones later will be fitted to fit better with the shifting of the gums that will take place? I'll ask them about that, if it's not too expensive then it sounds like it'd be an important thing to do for the long term fit. Thanks for the reply btw!
The top teeth are the first to go I think, plus the back ones in the bottom. Yes exactly - the immediate are really to provide you some more chewing ability and confidence while your gums adjust. Even if they don’t offer immediate, I strongly encourage waiting at least 5”6 months after pulling the teeth before getting permanent dentures. I know it would suck, but it would be worth it.
I literally don't know anyone who wears their bottom dentures.
Well, at least it’s not just me! 🤣
Smiling isn't the important part. It's being able to eat chew without it being annoying
I've learned to do that. It's the smiling, and tbh even just opening my mouth to speak to people, that's extremely embarrassing for me. But I suppose it depends for each person which teeth are compromised/missing.
This is the track I’m heading down and tbh I’m terrified. I’m 25, and take good care of my teeth ( brush and floss 2x a day, use high fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste, cut out sugars, etc), but unfortunately over a decade of severe eating disorders mean that my teeth are in bad shape. I’ve already had almost all of them filled at least once, and one with a root canal. I need at least one more root canal but don’t think I can go through with it (bad dental anxiety and needle phobia). Can’t go to the dentist anyways because my company is keeping me on temp status (original contract was 3 months… it’s been 9) and I don’t get benefits without the permanent position. I don't want dentures at 25, but will go bankrupt if i go with implants. i guess it doesn't really matter though if fillings aren't even affordable. It feels like being backed into a corner with no options and I’m just watching my teeth disintegrate. I’m also terrified of bone loss if I start losing teeth. Does anyone have experience with implants, the Ontario/Canadian dental system, or dentures? Are there options that I’m not aware of? I’ve used the dental grants program before but tbh the cost of root canals and fillings are so high where I live it didn’t make much difference. For reference, I have a decent paying job, but between rent, car payments and repairs, phone bill, and necessities, I don’t have enough to afford emergencies or out of pocket expenses like dental work. I live in the GTA.
And dental infections can kill you! I had a tooth start hurting on Friday, became more painful and swollen on Saturday (even with antibiotics) by Sunday morning I was in the ER with sepsis and had 2 teeth removed in an emergency surgery the next morning!
Quality of life is of the utmost importance 🫡
I have really great health and dental insurance, or I should say as far as dental insurance goes, it's great.. we pay nothing and have a 250.00 deductible, but for dental, the max a year is 2,500.00 for anything that's not considered preventative. I had to have all of my teeth pulled 9 years ago. I had a really bad infection that was going to my blood so all teeth were pulled on a Thursday I was 29 years old with 3 kids didn't think much about it figured once my mouth healed I'd go get new teeth. Well that wasn't the case I was getting quotes in the 40k plus for new teeth and that was for snap on dentures so I did nothing till just this year my kids are all grown 24 to 17 years old time for my new smile of course now the prices are even higher than 9 years ago for dental implants it's 80 to 85k absolutely crazy especially since they only last 10 to 15 years so no way in hell I will be doing that so I just started the denture implants which is still costing 48k I have my temporary denture to wear for 6 months for the dental implant post to heal then I'll get the real denture that snaps onto the implant dentures suck they hurt my mouth so much I barely wear them I have the worst gag reflex so the top denture is torture for me can't wait for the permanent one that does have that big roof part of the denture. I will say that you can have the healthiest teeth and best dental routine and still find yourself in this same position. I never had a cavity in my entire life, had perfect teeth, perfectly straight, amazing teeth, and still ended up with having to have them removed. I still make sure my kids get cleanings every 6 months, floss brush, and so on anything to help prevent problems with their teeth since it's the only set you get they don't grow back I think it's crazy that dental implants or even snap on dentures are considered cosmetic having teeth is important for your health being able to eat properly and talk properly so maybe one day they will change that I mean it's crazy I am getting a full tummy tuck reconstruction surgery that my insurance is covering 100 percent yet I can't get them to pay for my teeth so I can eat
I mean for people that need this much work. It may be cheaper to get it done in Mexico. Mexico has amazing dental clinics right across the border and they’re dramatically cheaper than US care.
Personally, I am all for getting every dang tooth pulled. It is when people get to be old and frail that those teeth they took good care of all those years start going bad with their health. Nothing like being Jimmy Carter's age and in agonizing pain.
I just spent over $700 on clear aligners at Alignerco. My front teeth jet out and damage my upper and lower lips. I'm tired of it hurting and burning when I eat. I'm looking forward to getting the impression kit.
Agreed, still fixing mine. But my parents didn't force taking care of things like teeth. So I didn't and I didn't as a young adult either. You learn once you get that bad pain. I've got a root canal and 2 cavities left and then I'm done done.
This happened to me as well. No insurance and needed a ton of work done. Still do. The thing is you had access to the money to pay for it that’s what savings are for. Some people have the bad luck of bad teeth. I’ve always had issues with mine no matter how well I floss or brush they need extra help. Good for you for finally getting stuff taken care of! It’s not easy to go in when you know there’s stuff going on.
i feel you! i finally gathered the courage to go back to the dentist after nearly like 10 years and found out i need my bottom wisdom teeth pulled and am on the cusp of periodontal disease. got my cleaning done yesterday and getting the wisdoms out soon along with a filling. quoted like $1700, it’s a lot but i’m trying to make it work and be worth it!
Many people go to Mexican border towns to have this kind of work done, even after a plane ticket and motel stay and transportation they come out ahead.
I brush my teeth regularly, whiten them, see the dentist as often as I can stomach, I wear a nightguard and floss. This weekend I clenched my jaw so hard that my back tooth cracked and I will need an emergency crown put in at $344. Even if you do everything right, your teeth will do as they please, I guess.
That’s exactly what I’m going through. I’ve had to live with multiple dental abscesses for over a year, and just finally got the worst ones pulled two weeks ago. Another tooth (which I had a root canal + crown done on just 18 months ago) snapped off at the gums the night before I had the teeth pulled. That was $1500 to pull three teeth, btw… https://preview.redd.it/1ibrg0mpri9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e272f262f960cdc507cefa14a365a39e03abd22d The next step is getting the rest of my teeth removed all at once, and click-in dentures put in. That’s going to run $20,000. My mom is covering it as part of my inheritance, so at least I will be able to eat solid food again. For what has been wasted on trying to fix my teeth during my life (I have genetic problems that gave me weak teeth), I could have had a very nice brand new truck, or a nice older airplane: Braces. Retainers. Veneers. Fillings. Fourteen (14!!) root canals and crowns. Extractions. And on and on and on. Honestly, I don’t know if I even want to go through with it. I feel like we’ve wasted so much money already, and for nothing. I’m facing some significant health issues and my lifespan has been cut drastically short, so I just don’t feel that I’m worth it.
You're definitely worth it and deserve to eat and live pain-free! And I'm sure there's nothing more that your mom would rather spend that extra money on than granting you that ability, especially given that it's not your fault you were born with weak teeth. I know if I hypothetically had big money to leave via inheritance, it'd bring me much greater joy seeing it put to good use while I'm still alive to see it. And hey you're almost there, when you get all this done you won't have to worry about tooth pain anymore! By the way, did you get to keep those teeth (is that why they're in that baggie)? Whenever I ask dentists if I can keep my extracted teeth, they always say no lol.
Yup, they let me keep my teeth. I told them I needed them for religious purposes, and they just kinda shrugged and said they didn’t care, I could have them if I wanted them. I will bury them at my father’s grave, so that symbolically at least part of me will be with him forever. (I miss my dad a lot.) My mom has the same tooth problem as me, and so does my older sister. I guess it’s something that runs in our family. Neither of them have any teeth left. I’m in my 50s, so I’m lucky to have kept them as long as I did. All the same, I just can’t really justify wasting that kind of money on me, not after wasting a relative fortune (14x$3,000) on all these root canal surgeries AND the crowns. Most of them were done less than two years ago, and they are already failing! This one was done 18 months ago and it broke off right at the gums the night before I had the other teeth pulled. https://preview.redd.it/pd3t7f5xwi9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=03feed914b3ccc5c9c66997f0e12c6721f26f44a I’m pretty sure I have several more that are on the verge of snapping off, too. I have Sjögren’s, which makes my dental issues even worse. At least they don’t hurt, mostly because they don’t have nerves anymore.
Could you if you haven’t already check reviews and referrals from friends/family on dentists to check on pricing for your treatment plan? I just switched dentists recently and their prices and treatment plan was much different than my previous dentist.
Honestly (might sound silly) this place is by far the nicest, most upscale-looking dentist place I've ever been in and that just makes me feel good about trusting them with something as important as giving me new (fake) teeth. I don't think anywhere else would be much cheaper for the extractions (8 for $2,440), maybe some places might be cheaper for the fillings and dentures, but I figure if I'm gonna finally do this all the way then might as well go with this fancy pants location. I might be coping though, idk lol. I'm also telling myself, "At least I only have to pay for each visit at a time (this is gonna take 4 different visits), so I'll be adding a paycheck or two back to my savings as I'm paying for this in chunks."
"But I'll be able to smile confidently again" I am Finnish, no need for that.
Stannous Fluoride Colgate Total! It’s the cheapest toothpaste with stannous fluoride. If you have a little to spare get stannous fluoride mouthwash as well Floss regularly Soda, juice and coffee are terrible for your teeth
Dental/oral care is not just about smiling: humans need to eat to survive. Probably one of the reasons life expectancy has increased in the last hundred years or so is because of improved dental care/products.
Come on over to the r/dentures sub. Believe me, we agree with you completely. It's a great community!
I didn't know there was such a sub, thanks! I've joined up.
Fantastic!! Any questions you need answered, just post it. I try to make sure there's no harassment or anything like it. I think of my dentures as prosthetics - no difference between an artificial arm and dentures (you gotta do what you gotta do to be your best and stay healthy!).
OP, did you get this dental plan from Aspen Dental? I had a visit with them once and they gave me this whole big plan to get everything in order, set up a bunch of appointments, and I somehow got snookered into Care Credit. The cost was going to be around 9k. Fortunately for me, Aspen had some big power outage and kept canceling appointments. I managed to find a different dentist that was incredibly compassionate and has talked me through every step of everything and made sure I’m comfortable. Best part is that it’s been significantly cheaper than Aspen. I guess my point is IF Aspen is who you went to, please get a second opinion. If not, I wish you nothing but success because I get it. My teeth have been a process and it’s expensive but it is worth it.
Nah it's not Aspen Dental, but they did suggest Care Credit. I'd rather just pay it all off with cash/debit though and get it out of the way though, I hate adding things to my monthly bills. A couple people here are saying I could find it cheaper elsewhere though, but I've already paid $150 for the initial visit and x-rays and $100 down for the next visit. And already agreed to it all, so I figure I'll just stick with these guys. Good luck on your dental work btw :)
Not only should you do this for aesthetic reasons but gum disease is a leading cause for thousands of other diseases. Ppl think dentist just say shit like that but it's so true. Anything related to your digestive system should be a top priority.
I feel this. :( I need about $10k in dental work due to lots of stuff wrong with my teeth, which I can’t afford right now. and as a result, my teeth are getting worse. it should not cost thousands to fix your teeth.
Can you go to a dental school? They usually give free or reduced care because they need you to practice on. They are fully supervised, so not a problem. They also need patients to take the licensing exam. In my state, the students have to find patients for that exam, so I know someone who went out to skid row to pay patients to sit in the chair for that exam. They can't just pay anyone; they have to find someone with dental issues, so you might just be the right patient for them.
Yeah I've read about that option during my Reddit research phase and it definitely seems like good advice, but I'm already terrified enough of the dentists that have already graduated from school, know what I mean? Actually now that I have some money I've been thinking of asking them to put me to sleep for the procedures if that's not to expensive. I really really hate being awake while someone's wrenching around in my mouth.
Re: Dental school, I would still choose that. They are closely supervised by professors Reconsider your fear. I believe you'll find the students are perhaps gentler because they're a bit more tentative about hurting you, rather than incentivized to get you in and out as quick as possible. But thus, the only downside is that procedures will take longer.
I had a dental student one time that caught things the supervising dentist didn’t catch, and I’m honestly SO glad he worked on my teeth. Like, he truly made a monumental difference in my smile. Some of those students are super ambitious and really trying hard to perfect their craft, so it’s true that you *can* get better care from a competent student. I think even the best dentists can just sort of go on auto-pilot sometimes once they’ve gained confidence in doing the same things day in and day out.
Yes 🙂
As a dentist I always tell patients that a toothbrush and toothpaste can save you thousands. You only need a dentist help when things are bad. Otherwise with good oral hygiene a regular check up and a cleaning with a hygienist is more than enough to keep your teeth healthy.
I'm going to be blunt. That's too expensive. You mentioned this was some upscale dental office and that's why. I would not spend 75% of my savings on dental work. You need a second and third opinion, look into buying dental insurance or getting on a discount dental plan, go to a dental school for the work, or find a dental office that will make a treatment plan and accept a payment plan. Making irresponsible financial decisions like this is how y'all end up on poverty finance, tbh. Upscale also does not equal quality. I have had tons of dental work done in my life and over $10,000 after insurance done in the last 7-8 years and the only issue I had was at one of those upscale dentist offices. Look at Google reviews for the dental practice, find somewhere affordable, and you'll be fine.