Disney or Dentist?? :(

[eeyorethegreat]

I agree get some other opions and go from there. That being said if the determinations are the same, you really should put off Disney and get your teeth taken care of. Good Luck!

 

[shaylahc1]

Yes definitely get a 2nd opinion. I had a dentist who told me I had 2 cavities and later I found out I had none

 

[J3nn78]

Another vote for a dental school. You will save a ton of money and get the best treatment

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

i hate to say it but there are some dishonest dentist out there.

Unfortunately, this is so true. I'm not sure what happened in the last 30 years, but due to our experiences I now approach the dental industry with the same distaste as used car salesmen.

 

[NYCDiane]

Another vote for a dental school. You will save a ton of money and get the best treatment

I wouldn't say you save a ton of money or get the best treatment.

First, dental schools don't take insurance. You'll be paying completely out of pocket and most of the time, the "savings" aren't all that great. They will usually give you 20-40% off the market cost of the work.

Dental schools USED to be the way to go --- most work, you were able to get done free or at a very minimal cost. Now that "everyone" knows about them, they have driven cost up, the waiting lists are very long, and you have to go through an entire regimen of treatment instead of only getting the work you need done. AND, if they're not doing the particular treatment you need that semester, you have to wait and hope to be able to get it done during a later semester.

As far as the work being the "best". It's not. You are being treated by students who are supervised by a professor. They can/do make many mistakes and the sanitary conditions leave a lot to be desired.

 

[NYCDiane]

Unfortunately, this is so true. I'm not sure what happened in the last 30 years, but due to our experiences I now approach the dental industry with the same distaste as used car salesmen.

LOL!! I had grouped dentists in the bottom of the sludge barrel along with lawyers....

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I was also using a dentist that I had problem with, but it was with the quote that I was given. I was told that I needed a bridge and that my dental ins would not cover it & it was going to be 5000.00, the same price for an inplant. I remember crying in the car on the way home thinking that our Disney trip would be cancelled because of one tooth. I was so upset.

I put it off for a few months, & we went to Disney. Later I went to my old dentist where my mom lives and I found out that he could do it for 1300.00, and that my ins. WOULD cover it because my crown was several years old. That dentist was not even a PPO for our ins, but he was cheaper. While I still hated to spend that kind of money, I was so happy that I got it done for less.

OP, I really do feel for you. I honestly think that dentist charge way to much for what they are doing. Not only that, but finding one that you can trust can be hard sometimes.

 

[mjkacmom]

That happened to me when I found out how much braces will cost for our kids! $3-5,000 each and they all need them!

Sorry to hear about your cavities! Pray for your children to have straight teeth!

Oh, btw, if you can't do both you should take care of your teeth. Disney will always be there but your teeth may not be!

Wow, lucky you! All five of mine need them, $6500 around here! OP, take care of your teeth. My 70 year old dad has always taken care of his teeth (dentist every 6 months), and even so, now wears dentures, because of genetically bad teeth.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

LOL!! I had grouped dentists in the bottom of the sludge barrel along with lawyers....

Ooooh, good point! I really would like to know what happened - maybe it was the advent of dental insurance? I know my parents didn't have it when I was growing up. We would go for our cleanings, sometimes we had cavities and sometimes we didn't . . . if we did, we got fillings, and that was it. They didn't try to sell us anything, they just took care of our teeth from a health standpoint, no cosmetic anything.

 

[MEM]

I wouldn't say you save a ton of money or get the best treatment.

First, dental schools don't take insurance. You'll be paying completely out of pocket and most of the time, the "savings" aren't all that great. They will usually give you 20-40% off the market cost of the work.

Dental schools USED to be the way to go --- most work, you were able to get done free or at a very minimal cost. Now that "everyone" knows about them, they have driven cost up, the waiting lists are very long, and you have to go through an entire regimen of treatment instead of only getting the work you need done. AND, if they're not doing the particular treatment you need that semester, you have to wait and hope to be able to get it done during a later semester.

As far as the work being the "best". It's not. You are being treated by students who are supervised by a professor. They can/do make many mistakes and the sanitary conditions leave a lot to be desired.

Wow! what an inaccurate generalization! I work for a School of Dental Medicine and what you are saying is absolutely untrue, at least about our facility. I'm sorry if you had a negative experience at one dental school but you can't lump them all in the same category.

OP? can you tell us what major city you live near? That might explain the estimate you were quoted and whether there is a dental school near you.

 

[HM]

Can you get a second opinion and another quote? For something that extensive I would.

Really hope this turns out well for you!

I also think a second opinion is warranted. I've heard of dentists that "make work" for themselves, when it's not necessary. A LOT of work, esp after only three years, would be a red flag to me.

Good luck! BTW, I'd do the dental work...gotta have your teeth when you get old.

 

[tfoley427]

You didn't happen to go to Aspen Dental did you? Because they are the biggest scam artists out there. Told me I needed about $7,800 dollars worth of work done for 2 cavities, a root canal, post and crown, and then some treatment because I have gingivitis? Got a second opinion at another dentist. Without insurance it cost me $120 for the two fillings, he suggested PULLING the tooth that was damaged and had an infected pulp, and told me I didn't have gingivitis lol. Went to a 3rd dentist and he confirmed the second one. GET AS MANYYYYY opinions as you can.

 

[i'mfluffy]

I'd get a second opinion. DH need a lot of work once before. I made him go to another dentist and they said he didn't need as much work as the first denist did. You could also check to see if there is a dental college around you. My sister has gotten work done at a school before.

 

[DisneyLover83]

I also say get more opinions and I wouldn't stop at just two if you feel it may not be right. In 2006 after we moved I went to a dentist who told me I had 11 cavities and needed 2 crowns, he put me on a 5 year plan
I felt like that could not be right and went to another dentist who told me I had 7 cavities and maybe needed 1 crown. Then a few months later after I got to know some local people and got personal recommendations the third dentist said I had 2 cavities!! All with in about 6 months!

 

[kellia]

Definately get another quote!! I would say dental care is more important than a trip, though.

I feel for you, we had to get dd braces that cost about $5000 a couple years ago. Then, her wisdom teeth came in and we had to get them pulled so they didn't mess up what the braces fixed! The oral surgeon suggested we have 2 pulled last fall and wait until Jan. to pull the other 2. He said a couple of months wouldn't hurt and it would cost us more out of pocket since we have a yearly max. amount. We get to pay $700 for the last 2 this Friday. My sons had better have straight teeth, since they are twins, I sure don't want 2 in braces at the same time!

 

[Mathfailure]

My husband is the one with the high dental cost, but he also neglected to do the regular cleaning/follow -up every six months too.

You need your teeth, so do what you can to get the cost reasonable but your health has to take priority over a vacation. They are finding more and more how our dental health, or lack of, affects our body health - especially heart health.

After you get this round completed, try to go the recommended every six months. Catching the next bunch quickly might be less expensive

 

[ceecee]

Well, I knew this may be a dentist bashing thread....most dentists are reliable. Have you been going there for a while? Have you been going regulary? My Concern is no bite-wings in 3 years??? You should have them yearly to check for decay and a panarex (full mouth) every 5 years to check for oral cancer, etc. I do agree that 2 dentists can have two different views. Some dentists are more conservative than others and will do fillings while others will want to do the $ makers like onlays/inlays/crowns. A lot of times a crown is warranted for the best treatment, especially after a root canal when the tooth's nerve supply is gone and it's fragile.
I doubt it is all work that has to be immediately done, check and see what needs to be done now and what if anything can wait (maybe use two years insurance if you have it). You can always get a second opinion, ask around for recommendations. Do watch out for those francise dental places (Aspen is one) as they hire a lot of dentists and give them quotas that they have to meet!
Dental work should definately come before a vacation....sorry!

 

[quentina]

Try the dental clinic at the local hospital.....they are much cheaper. Prior to adopting my kids, they went there (they were in foster care). I remember complaining to my DH that I was worried about the quality of the dentists....they were really good!

 

[amshowers]

I agree with checking out dental schools. We have great dental insurance, but only get 1,500 per person for orthodontics. I took my daughter to dental school and it was more than half what I had quoted from other orthodontists. I think you may even get better care because they are always a dentist checking their work.

 

[tinkabella627]

I havent read all 3 pages so forgive me if someone mentioned this...

My dentist has a "health credit card" (as does my friend's dentist) where you get it interest free for X months as long as you pay the required amount. That could be an option for you, bc vacation or no vacation that is a large amount of money to pay at once. Also, some dentists will allow you to make payments to them, depending on what it costs and what it is. Maybe that is an option?