Goodbye Disney Fund, hello Dental bill :(

[robinb]

I agree with others. Get an itemized quote and ask what exactly they are doing. $2100 is crazy expensive for baby teeth.

Wow. I have to agree. $2100 for standard dental care seems really high. My DD's braces are just about that much!

 

[KCMiller]

I'm chiming in with another endorsement of dental schools - I have had ALL my childrens dental work done at our local dental college, including braces for my two sons (which cost less than $3K). They've done amazing work, the students are not only well trained but also completely supervised by faculty (who all have years and years of experience in private practice, and many of whom also have current practices of their own), and the cost is VERY reasonable. If you are anywhere near a college of dentistry, you owe it to yourself to visit them. Don't forget, these folks are doing the newest procedures, have the best and newest technology. They don't let freshmen drill teeth!

KC

 

[dhardawa]

I, too, would recommend a dental school. Around here, the prices are about 1/3 that of a typical dentist.

 

[kimmyann]

I don't really have any answers for you, but just thought I would let you know that I know exactly what you are going through. I also recommend trying to get some type of dental coverage when she is older for adult teeth. My oldest DD got her first cavity when she was 3 & no matter how much brushing we did they never stopped coming, one after the other. We spent several thousand on baby teeth. She was on her bottle until she was 2 1/2 years old, & me being the young stupid mother I was at the time, let her. (not at all implying this to you, only to me) We thought it was done with when her adult teeth came in, but we were wrong, same thing started again, no matter that she was seeing a dentist & brushing & flossing. This was only happening to her 8 front, top teeth. Even her orthodontist could not believe the odd places she was getting cavities on her front teeth (bottom of tooth & just right in the center).

Now, $20,000 later, she has veneers on 7 front teeth & has a beautiful smile. We had to drain my DH's retirement to pay for this since dental coverage is so bad (it was a max $1500 per year coverage). I would really consider starting a savings account just for this purpose. My DH now has AMAZING dental coverage through the union now, no max & everything covered at 100% just about. A little too late, my other two kids have great teeth.

 

[dkr7166]

OP, I recently had a root canal and am getting a crown next month. Before my last appt, I got a discount dental card through DentalPlans.com. This will pay for itself next visit--she priced out the crowns for me and it was 750 with my current no insurance situation vs. 543 with the discount plan. The card cost me 150 for self only and they currently have a special where you get an additional 3 months free, so 15 months total. Look into whether or not your dentist participates in that. It's also good for your normal visits too!

 

[Plumeria9]

I had a similar experience last month and posted here too. My oldest 11DD was told she had 6 cavities, and my youngest 8DD had 2 cavities, her first. We don't have any dental insurance either, and the total after a check/cash discount was almost $1400. I was pretty much in shock also. After getting ripped a new one here (I was complaining about my DH's work's lack of decent affordable ins.) and asking around, I finally got some sense of what to do. Since DD8 had an orthodontist appt. (yeah that is starting now too, my calculator is wearing out) I finally had an aha moment and asked our ortho to look at both of their teeth for a second opinion. He had already done phase 1 on 11DD. He confirmed that yes, there were all of those cavities as reported, but they were not very deep. He recommended asking about "preventive resin restoration". I made the decision to switch to another dentist because this is the second time I felt we got a questionable outcome w/ our regular 6 month checkups. In fact, w/ the dentist I think we are switching to, I saw an ad of theirs and it mentioned that they do free second opinions. I am actually going to call today and see if I can get one scheduled, to see how I like that office. Good luck!

 

[ccgirl]

Oh my gosh this sucks Took the kids to the dentist today. My oldest had a great check up, but my younger two not so much


The estimate for the work they need done is $2100.00 total


I don't know whether to laugh or cry. We don't have a benefit plan so it's all out of pocket.

In all honesty how important is it to fill cavities in baby teeth? What is the point if they are going to fall out anyway? I should have asked, but I didn't I just set up the next 4 appointments.

I asked the same thing when my DS4 needed 4 fillings. They said it is possible for the cavity to reach the permanent adult teeth. Also, if the cavity gets too bad it can lead to pain and infection. Depending on how bad the cavity is (how many surfaces the filling will cover) that estimate could be right in line.

My children see an amazing Pediatric Dentist and they did this in 3 appts. They gave him novacaine (after the "happy" gel) and he didn't feel a thing! No need to put him under anesthesia.
How many fillings are needed and how many surfaces are there? Does the densits use amalgam or composite fillings?

My son's OOP would have been very close to that. Luckily, we have insurance. My DD9 has sealants. I just paid $75 for a sealant and that was after insurance. To me, it is well worth it to prevent cavities in her permanent teeth.

Hope that helps.

 

[vettechick99]

You don't have to do gas. My 4YO had her first cavity filled and they prescribed a liquid relaxant. Xanax for kids! She took it about 30 mins before we went. It just loosened her up and she had no trouble with the shots or fillings. IDK how much it was, but it couldn't have been more than $20-30. You can go that route instead of gas.

 

[Sugar Jones]

We ended up qualifying a dental program though our local health unit called "CINOT" Children in Need of Treatment. It's for families who have no dental coverage. So we go to see their dentist on Tuesday and as long as he/she feels the need for the work to be done they will cover the cost of our dentist.

 

[Sugar Jones]

We ended up qualifying a dental program though our local health unit called "CINOT" Children in Need of Treatment. It's for families who have no dental coverage. So we go to see their dentist on Tuesday and as long as he/she feels the need for the work to be done they will cover the cost of our dentist.

We seen the Health Unit dentist today and 100% of Max's work is going to bed covered and 50% of Avery's will be.

They advised us to have her front two teeth extracted instead of filled. I'm not sure what to do??????? She's only 4yrs old so that means she will be without front teeth for about 4 years.

 

[saffsmom]

We seen the Health Unit dentist today and 100% of Max's work is going to bed covered and 50% of Avery's will be.

They advised us to have her front two teeth extracted instead of filled. I'm not sure what to do??????? She's only 4yrs old so that means she will be without front teeth for about 4 years.

if she is 4 you might not have to wait so long for those front teeth to come in.
my older DD is 5 (6 at end of june) and one of her adult front teeth is already in, the other started poking through the other day

(all together she has lost 6 teeth, 3 are in, 3 coming in and 4 more are loose)

 

[Sugar Jones]

if she is 4 you might not have to wait so long for those front teeth to come in.
my older DD is 5 (6 at end of june) and one of her adult front teeth is already in, the other started poking through the other day

(all together she has lost 6 teeth, 3 are in, 3 coming in and 4 more are loose)

All my kids got their teeth late. Avery didn't get her first tooth until she was almost 15 months old. So they lose them late as well. Ds2 will be 8 in July and just lost his first tooth and is just now getting his 5 year molars So odds are my dd will be just like her brothers since she got her teeth even later than them.

 

[ceecee]

I would bet she will have them in by age 8. They could probably tell by an xray if they are close to coming in. DD didn't get her baby teeth til 16 months and then lost her lowers at 4 yrs! I had DD's deciduous laterals removed 2 yrs early at the suggestion of an older Orthodontist because they were horizonially impacted. Luckily they came down on their own and we avoided a painful surgical procedure prior to her ortho tx. Do what's healthy for her and don't worry about "looks" kids look cute w/o their front teeth.

 

[Janepod]

I don't know where you live, but we are in an expensive area and that kind of dental bill is not inconceivable.

I agree that you should get a second opinion and consider dental schools.

I also suggest you evaluate your kids' dental routine to stop this from happening again. Eliminating juices and improving brushing habits have been mentioned. You may also want to consider fluoride supplements, especially if you are on well water. My son takes them every night before bedtime so the fluoride remains on his teeth overnight. They are by prescription but luckily for us the copay is zero. They can't be expensive.

Good luck. I'm sure this is very stressful for your whole family.

 

[Sugar Jones]

I don't know where you live, but we are in an expensive area and that kind of dental bill is not inconceivable.

I agree that you should get a second opinion and consider dental schools.

I also suggest you evaluate your kids' dental routine to stop this from happening again. Eliminating juices and improving brushing habits have been mentioned. You may also want to consider fluoride supplements, especially if you are on well water. My son takes them every night before bedtime so the fluoride remains on his teeth overnight. They are by prescription but luckily for us the copay is zero. They can't be expensive.

Good luck. I'm sure this is very stressful for your whole family.

Flossing could have prevented this. I will be way more diligent in making my kids floss from now on. They are good brushers and we don't do juice/pop/or gum here. My kids only get candy at Christmas and Easter. So NEVER underestimate the power of flossing! I know I never will again!

 

[daileyad]

They advised us to have her front two teeth extracted instead of filled. I'm not sure what to do??????? She's only 4yrs old so that means she will be without front teeth for about 4 years.

My daughter had her front teeth pulled @ 4 on the advice of the dentist who said they were sure her permanent teeth would be coming in quickly. Well, they didn't come in right away and she got in the habit of sticking her tongue in the gap. 6 years and $1800 in orthodontist bills later we finally have her teeth coming in correctly. If I could go back in time I never would have let them pull them.

 

[bumbershoot]

They advised us to have her front two teeth extracted instead of filled. I'm not sure what to do???????

If it were me, I'd say NO.

First ped guy we saw said that he'd probably have to extract DS's top two middle teeth, as well as an absolutely needed extraction of the two on the side of those (they were rotting away thanks to the genetics in DH and his dad's side of the family...both of them lost *several* baby teeth by them crumbling away, so for DS to only have 2 he was doing pretty good). He was also suggesting other things that made it very very clear how he had such a beautiful office, and we left his office laughing.

Found a sane pediatric dentist who filled the cavity behind DS's front teeth. Did it withOUT any sort of anesthetic; just with Finding Nemo on the TV in the ceiling to distract him. Next week with a blip of lidocaine he took out the crumbling teeth.

If you have those teeth extracted, it's going to cause a domino effect of problems for the future, as the teeth move in. And dentists REFUSE to put in spacers for little kids, to preserve the spaces caused with extractions, figuring the parents will just do braces later. When, IMO, there's the possibility of keeping that space so orthodontia isn't needed later.

I'd just say "no" to them. Make them do their jobs.



Also, have you thought of not having it all done at once? That's a LOT of possible trauma all at once. Kids are more resilient, that's for sure, but I know when DH had more than 2 fillings at once he was sore for literally months.

 

[Sugar Jones]

All the work is scheduled over 4 appointments over the next 4 months for my daughter and over 2 appointments for my son.

My own dentist never mentioned extraction so when we go for the first appointment to fill the back teeth, I will ask her opinion about it.


I'm just happy that we are covered for $1400.00 of the work, that is a load off! We'll figure out the extra $800.00

 

[DaisyLynn]

All the work is scheduled over 4 appointments over the next 4 months for my daughter and over 2 appointments for my son.

My own dentist never mentioned extraction so when we go for the first appointment to fill the back teeth, I will ask her opinion about it.


I'm just happy that we are covered for $1400.00 of the work, that is a load off! We'll figure out the extra $800.00

I'm glad you were able to get covered for a large part of the bill!

I would suggest checking out dentalplans.com for discount plans that may help you with the remainder of the bill, or for future dental care. They're really great for individuals and families that have no dental coverage. You just have to weigh out the cost of the plan vs. your savings, of course. Definitely worth looking into, though.

 

[ceecee]

Flossing could have prevented this. I will be way more diligent in making my kids floss from now on. They are good brushers and we don't do juice/pop/or gum here. My kids only get candy at Christmas and Easter. So NEVER underestimate the power of flossing! I know I never will again!

You know what they say....You don't have to floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep.