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Here's to Your Health:  Tooth matters...  |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 20 2007 : 1:15:10 PM
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I had to break down and go to the dentist today--I've been having tons of pain in my lower back molars, and as I guessed, the old fillings have given way to new cavities. Thanks!
Doesn't matter that I brush 2-3 times a day, that I floss and use Listerine, I still have cavities. But, even with the pain, I can't afford to have them fixed. The "specialist" who would do the root canal will charge $900 a piece ($1800), then to have the crowns done, it's $2500. So, $4000 worth of dentistry for two teeth. It doesn't make sense to me. Why is it so expensive to want to keep you teeth?
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2007 : 2:20:13 PM
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Oh honey! I am so happy that I have the dentist I have! I have one half of a root canal done and so far it has only cost $119. Will your dentist take payments? How much does your insurance cover?
Often, tooth problems run in families. I have VERY soft enamel and I am diligent like you, with brushing, flossing and rinsing. My dentist said to me at my last cleaning that he has never seen someone come in with such clean teeth. he hardly needed to do anything and I hadn't had a cleaning in a couple of years. I did, however have a tooth needing to come out (wisdom tooth,) and a cavity that now is the root canal. All that DESPITE the fact that I take such excellent care of my mouth.
I hope you find a way to afford it, either via payments to the DDS or otherwise! I hope you feel better. I would rather give birth than have tooth pain. I don't think there is pain like it.
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2007 : 4:52:37 PM
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Jonni, boy do I sympathise. The only real bright spot is that hopefully this batch of trouble will be the end of it. After having two root canals and crowns, my dentist found cracks in two more molars and tried a technique using a very strong "glue", slower drying than most, but very likely to keep the teeth together. That was several years ago, and still going strong. He told me at the time that problems tend to be on both sides... sounds like you've got your sides matched. :(
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Aug 20 2007 : 6:23:22 PM
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Jonni - I know exactly what you mean. I have been going through dental problems - they're the worst! You don't go to the dentist because they're so blinking expensive - outrageous is more the word. Then when you finally do break down and go because you have no choice, they chew you out because you haven't been in. I just want to scream and say "it's your fault I haven't been in because I know I can't afford to do what you say I need. It's a no win situation. Those of you with good dental insurance - cherish it!!
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 08:08:18 AM
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Oh Tasha! I'm coming to Minnesota! It would be worth it, even with the gas money!!!!
I had a total meltdown last night after I took one of the antibiotics and promptly threw up, and I just cried and cried! How can they expect people to afford this? I mean, seriously? And, no dentist around here takes payment plans--they all seem to be on this "Carecard" bandwagon, which is essentially a visa card that you apply for, with a high interest rate, and a set monthly payment. Well, that's all fine and dandy, but I don't even have $150 a month to pay back! I got the same line from three different dentist's offices--we offer so many services to our "fear" patients, that our costs all balance out in the end, based on your experience here. We do the very best we can to make you comfortable, and to do offer "comfort sedation"..."
Sure seems pretty bleak at this point. Something will work out, I guess. It has to!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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jo Thompson
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jo
the mountainside of the Chugach
in Alaska
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 09:35:00 AM
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Jonni, I went through that two years ago, I was seriously depressed about it. The money is really only part of it! I had a root canal repeated on one tooth, it was the same tooth that was pulp capped twenty years ago! It just finally gave up, turned out that I had four nerves in that tooth and the first root canal wasn't properly done.
I ended up having it pulled! That was awful, I was missing a tooth, and planned on having an implant, that alone is four thousand dollars all said and done AFTER the root canal. I've finally given up and I'm getting a bridge, it's only two visits and no surgery! Get yourself a dentist who is fastidious about your old fillings and don't get plastic ones, they don't last!
What a drag, eh? we're not little girls anymore! jo
"life is drab without a lab"
http://web.mac.com/thomja/ |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 10:05:09 AM
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Dental pain is worse than childbirth, IMO.
I too have had issues with root canals, bridges, pulled teeth, etc etc.
$$$ I have no idea why even with insurance coverage it's still thousands.
Implants~yeah, right! I drive an '87 blazer and I can afford implants!!!???
They're nutz at the dentists office to think that.
Dental schools may be an option, provided they can fit you into their schedule and
they into yours, and you have one that's nearby. I don't know~it's depressing.
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 11:17:22 AM
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| Jonni, does your health insurance plan offer an FSA? My husband has used that to get crowns done, and right now we are doing it to get my braces. Although $4000 all in one year would be pretty hard to take. Could you schedule the work to overlap the end of this year and the start of next year, and set up the FSA for $2000 each year? I don't know how bad the pain from your teeth is or how long the work can be put off, but that might make it possible. If everything else fails, I'd look into a loan from a credit union. You'd probably get a better interest rate that way than with the Carecard you describe. |
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cabinmoose
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Lorna
Forest Hill
MD
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 11:37:50 AM
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Jonni,
Sweetie I feel your pain!
I have my Dad's teeth and that is not a good thing! :( I brush 4-6 times a day and floss every chance I get, I will floss in a traffic jam.... I have always had weak teeth. I was 11 when I had my first root canal and I was mortified. The dentist was not top notch and it instilled a fear in me that I will never get over. I have had 7 root canals two bridges and 8 crowns since and shelled out close to $12,000 for dental work in the past 3 years plus the $8,500 that my insurance covered, but I refuse to get dentures. My sister got dentures at 26 and my youngest sister was only 24. It has cost me an arm, a leg, and my next born but I think it has been worth it. I am very fortunate that I have a dentist that works with me. I have to go for impressions Monday for 3 more crowns, cha ching..... Then I only have 2 root canals left and two fillings.
My daughter always tells me all my smiles look fake because I never want to show my teeth. I am getting better about it though, I didn't realize that I did this....
There is nothing in the world like tooth pain. It is the pits and I feel for you! I hope you find a solution soon. {{{Huggs}}}
Lorna
Forest Hill, MD
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And I know you do the same things too, So we're really
not that different, me and you.” ~Colin Raye |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 12:49:43 PM
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Ugh- I have to get an implant because of a bike wreck when I was 8. I have been putting it off for years! I have this horrible flipper deal for my tooth. It is basically a fake tooth on a retainer. Ick. :(
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Aug 21 2007 : 9:12:50 PM
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Luckily my parents are going to pay for the implant since it is a problem that is a result of my bike wreck when I was 8. But I am a chicken and I know way to much about the implant proceedure. LOL I wanted to get it done before my wedding but put it off too long. Darnit.
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Aug 22 2007 : 3:17:09 PM
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Ohh, my thoughts are with you. I inherited my moms teeth-not good. I had a lot of cavities when I was a kid, and now the filling are all turning into root canals. In the past two years I have had 5 root canals, 4 caps, with one pending. I also had extreme pain in my two upper wisdom teeth (impacted) and had to have those removed.
I completely understand-not only is it expensive, but emotionally, it takes a lot out of you. I was lucky in that insurance covered some of it, but my insurance had a pretty low cap on dental, and I had to pay for a lot of it myself.
Good luck-my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jennifer |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 07:32:33 AM
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I'm glad I'm not the only one in this spot, but I do wish we all had better choppers!!!
Well, the root canals are done. My mom, bless her heart, took out this CareCredit card that all of the dentists offices are pushing now (instead of taking payment plans and paying attorney's for collections). It's a credit card for dental bills. Basically, the dentist gets paid from CareCredit, and then you have an option of how you want to repay CareCredit--12 months interest free, low monthly payments etc..based on your total costs ($4200). Looks like I'm going to be paying $40.00 for the rest of my life :) Two weeks from now, the crowns happen.
At this point, we just don't have much "extra" to pay additional money, so I will just have to spread it out over a long period of time.
I never thought at 33, I'd be relying on my mom to help me in a tight spot, but she offered and I couldn't NOT accept. She wouldn't let me...she's pretty wonderful!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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cabinmoose
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Lorna
Forest Hill
MD
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 07:44:06 AM
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Jonni,
Glad you got it taken care of! Mom's are wonderful like that aren't they.
Hugs,
Lorna
Forest Hill, MD
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry.
And I know you do the same things too, So we're really
not that different, me and you.” ~Colin Raye |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 08:05:07 AM
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I'm just getting to go through a dental issue too. I had a root canal about 10 years ago and couldn't afford to get a crown at the time and then with my insane fear of dentists, I too had a horrible one as a kid who scared the life out of me, I never went back to get the crown. So last night the tooth broke, thanfully there's no pain because of the root canal but I almost had a panic attack last night just thinking about going in to have it pulled. I think I'm going the pulled route because of some information that the naturopath I've been going to has given my parents about root canals and what having them in your mouth does to your health. I also don't know if a crown will work with the way the tooth broke but I guess I'll see when I go in. Now I've got to find a special dentist that does extractions because it seems most regular dental offices where I am don't do them anymore.
I too appear to have genetically bad teeth because I am the one of us kids who brushes religiously yet still seems to have the majority of dental issues. Oh the joys of life...
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 08:12:45 AM
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Elizabeth, I know what you mean about dentists not doing extractions. In fact, the root canal guy said my very back tooth "had no life" that it was really officially dead, and while I'm sitting there with my mouth pried open, I'm thinking, just pull it. Why pay $900 to you to "fix" it, when it doesn't really matter.
They never offer extractions.
Please try not to be too afraid--pain changes everything, at least, it did for me. I'm not one to go to the dentist for anything--hate them, but I put it off as long as I could, and my tooth broke, also. Oddly enough, that wasn't the "bad guy" as the root canal doctor said, it was my back molar, which cracked because I grind and clench my teeth while I'm sleeping.
Stupid stress!!!!
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2007 : 08:55:27 AM
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Oh Jonni, bless your mother for helping you. Aren't you relieved to have the root canals done? Even with the next-day pain, it's sooo much better. I, too, was a grinder back in my twenties, had something to wear at night for a while, but learned to relax my jaw. I still am able to relax that jaw! That's what caused my teeth to crack, I'm sure. The crown procedure is a piece of cake if you can hold your mouth open... my dentist is extremely well informed and interesting, so I just get him going on a topic and listen while he works on me.
Ann
Sairy Hill Thicket
There is a Redeemer. |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2007 : 4:02:45 PM
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Jonni, how did the credit thing with the dentist work? Did you have to have it set up before you went in for the work? It looks like most around my area do that same deal and I'm considering seeing if there's anything else they can do besides pulling it depending on the cost mostly so if you've got any tips for that creditcare deal I'm open to hearing them :)
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2007 : 06:50:02 AM
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Hey Elizabeth--
Here is the website for the Care Credit. www.carecredit.com
From what I understand, they pay the Dr., then you pay them. You need to first put in your provider, or choose one that is in your area, then put in the estimated cost of your total dental work. I.E., mine is going to cost $2200, so I put in $2500 just in case. We were approved for $6500, which, essentially, is a line of credit, to be used when needed with approved physicians, however you want to do it. So, your dentist or ortho or what have you, would probably need to be enrolled with this program. If your's isn't, you'd be surprised at the providers that are, and you can search by zip code on this site.
I hope this helps you--I really couldn't do without it.
"She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian. |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Aug 30 2007 : 12:10:18 PM
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Well, I had my tooth pulled today. Not fun but not too bad. It helped that the dentist was very nice and understanding of my being horribly nervous. I chose this dentist office because of them being natural, not doing murcury fillings and taking extreme caution when removing them because of the murcury that's released into the air when they remove fillings. I'm considering getting an implant because of where the tooth is and am not looking forward to hearing how much that could cost.
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/
www.leezard.etsy.com |
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Here's to Your Health: Tooth matters... |
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Tooth matters...
