Dental advice needed...

[Lachesis00]

A filling fell out It isn't causing me pain yet {except when I brush} but I'd like to get it fixed. We have not established a dentist here yet... so my questions are...

What's it going to run me (I know it could vary). Do dentists take payments? And is there such a thing as a student dentist type thing and if so how would I go about researching?

 

[Crankyshank]

Do you have dental insurance?
I would get it looked at ASAP. The tooth could be cracked and you may not notice it. The filling might be too large and you would need to have it crowned. The longer you wait to have it looked at, the more long term damage you can cause.

Look online and see if their are dental schools in your area. If so, see if they have any low cost clinics run by students.

Price depends on dentist, where you live, and whether or not you have insurance (and if so, which insurance). As far as payments - most do not, but it really depends on the dentist.
My brother just had a filling replaced and it cost him $75. His insurance covered 50%
I had a filling fall out and it wound up being a cracked tooth. I needed a crown done. My insurance covered 50%. My payment was $325. My dentist, when the tooth repair needs to be done over 2 sessions, has me pay 60% the first session and 40% on the last.

Good luck!

 

[Lachesis00]

Crud.

I do believe Phoenix has dental schools. I looked a bit and nothing jumped out at me. so I am not sure if I am searching wrong or???

This is the first time EVER I've not had some kind of health insurance. My husband's kicks in come January.

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/dental/

Also, please, Rachel, if you guys are not covered till January, please get a temporary health plan (not that expensive, almost guaranteed issue) for 3 months. Without it you are playing with a loaded gun.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Dental schools usually make a payment plan or at least in Indiana they did. I hope you get it taken care of before it gets worse and more expensive.

 

[Lachesis00]

Oh I will get it taken care of. I just need to find out what it costs... and try and find maybe a dental school to get the work done.

 

[tar heel]

I have a cracked tooth at the moment and will be getting it crowned in November. My dentist charges $820. I have a $50 deductible and insurance pays 50% of "reasonable and customary." I'm expecting to pay around $500. Had I chosen to have it filled, it would have been $215.

The problem with using a dental school is that the procedure can take a really long time. The student does a little bit of work, then a professor comes and looks at it. With something like a crown that already takes a long time, you could end up spending many hours there. It will save you $, though -- just keep in mind that this may be the student's FIRST crown.

Lachesis00 -- You do need to have it seen. If you already have a bit of pain, you shouldn't let it go too long.

Crankyshank -- those are GREAT prices. My dentist was charging $650 for a crown years ago.

 

[Lachesis00]

I've got emails into 2 dentists and will make calls on Monday.

 

[Poohnatic]

I went to Univ MD Dental School for a hole in my filling. I'd waited a while, because it didn't hurt and was just an annoyance.

Bad move on my part. Bacteria got into the tooth and I needed a root canal and a crown.

Please don't wait. In the meantime, there is a temporary filling material that you can purchase in a drugstore. I bought some to use while I had a temporary filling from the root canal, just in case the temp fell out.

Suzanne

 

[Lachesis00]

Thanks I will check tomorrow for the temp stuff. I don't like the thought of it being open like that. I am pretty sure it just happened.


I will pay out of pocket as long as they can take payments.

 

[Crankyshank]

The filling replacement was a great price. I think the dentist cut my brother a break though, since he has 12 appointments scheduled for dental work right now and that was one of them

Fortunately for me, my dentist works in a chain that has offices in a few places around the country and try to keep their prices the same, which explains my cheap crown Last time, through another dentist, I had to pay $450

Of course now they are claiming I didn't pay them and haven't responded to my email with the proof that I paid. a guarantee call back by the end of the next business day has been 2 wks

 

[northern michigan]

A "temporary" filling, or crown if needed, is an option as well. I definitely would get something done ASAP even if a temporary solution is necessary. You might also see if the ADA (American Dental Association) has a website that could refer you.

 

[Lachesis00]

Well I emailed the AZ dental assoc and they do not have a school with students who perform stuff yet. Next year he said... so tomorrow I will call around to dentist.