I need advice for caps for children's teeth!

[rluey29]

Hi there dis'ers...

I feel like this is budget related because it could potentially cost me alot of money depending on which way we go.

My 15 month old son is scheduled for oral surgery at the hospital in about 20 days so I don't have alot of time to make up my mind. His 4 top teeth and 3 of his front bottom teeth are needing caps. Since he had to have these teeth for the next 6-7 years, I wanted to get the white caps so that he could take nice pictures and not be teased by any children. The problem is that his insurance won't pay a penny on the white ones and will only cover the stainless steel. The white ones are $235 per tooth out of pocket.

My husband and I decided that since it was so expensive that maybe we'd have the top 4 white and the bottom ones silver, but when I talked to the surgeon's office this morning she was telling me that the white and silver can both fall off but only the silver would be covered by insurance for reattachment. She also said that the white can scratch and chip easily.

Now I don't know what to do. I hate the thought of him having a mouth full of silver teeth for so many years but it will cost me $944 for something that may not last.

Have any of you opted for the white caps for your children, and how well did they hold up??

 

[Nik's Mom]

Oh, your poor baby! You must also be worried about the surgery on top of everything else. I would rather have the white crowns put in. Are these the same crowns that adults use? If so, then I have a few of the white ones and they have never fallen out or chipped (knock on wood).

My children have never had crowns so I'm not sure if it is the same crown as an adult. If it is, then I can tell you my crowns are holding up great!

 

[bookgirl]

Tell everyone they're grilz.

Seriously, I don't think kids will care. By the time they start caring is about the time they will come off. One of the kids I had as a student in preschool knocked her's off three times. Kids are much more likely to knock her them off, than adults.

 

[DVCsince02]

Our DD5 just had a cap put on a bottom molar. I specifically asked for a white one since it can be seen when she smiles or laughs. The dentist told me about it not being covered 100% and also the cap is only partially white (on the outside and the top), the inside of the cap is still silver.

I told my husband before we had kids I didn't care how much it costs or what I have to do but I will spend anything it takes on their teeth and schooling. So it costs more, but I'm happy with it. Any pictures will look great and she knows not to have any sticky candy until it comes out.

You always remember the person with the bad teeth. And that's not a good thing.

Good luck!

 

[rluey29]

Yes you're right. I am worried about the surgery as well. It was either have him put to sleep or have him be strapped down to a table while they shot him up with needles and put the caps on. My husband and I just can't put him under that kind of stress. I don't know why it wouldn't be the same kind as adults have. I've never had to have any teeth work done so I'm clueless about dentistry work. I think they said that it was actually the stainless steel caps and to make them white they drill a hole in them so that the white stuff has something to stick to and they spread it across the front of the cap. The back of the tooth will still be silver.

 

[SandrA9810]

When I went in for dental work, I had several cavaties filled, and they used this white polymer, which I thought was like porclien, but they told me it wasn't. It was the same cost as silver filling and still covered by insurance. Maybe you should see if there is a different material they can use do it.

I know I had a filling fall out on me a couple years later, so maybe for the free reattatchment it might be worth it to do the silver. Just don't make a big deal about it, and don't talk much about it, and he'll think nothing different of it. As young as he is, he'll probably think it's normal after a month or so.

 

[DVCsince02]

The caps are meant to stay on until the tooth falls out. That's many years of silver teeth.

 

[Floridagal23]

I had a root canal as a child maybe 20 years ago and had a silver cap because that was what was commonly used at the time. I would definitely NOT recommend getting one if you had the option to get a white one and could afford to do so. You can always see it (mine was in the back, the front right all the way on the side) and I felt like compared to the white cap I have now - same tooth, weirdly enough), the metal cap cut into my gum and caused more irritation to me. I am not sure if that is a legitimate complaint and I am sure the white could just as easily irritate your gum but that was my experience. My tooth luckily fell out a year or two later but I really disliked having that cap as a child.

 

[rluey29]

When I went in for dental work, I had several cavaties filled, and they used this white polymer, which I thought was like porclien, but they told me it wasn't. It was the same cost as silver filling and still covered by insurance. Maybe you should see if there is a different material they can use do it.

I know about the white polymer stuff. My oldest son has had 3 cavities in his molars and they've filled them with that every time. It still costs me $124 per tooth though, because it's white. I love the fact that you cannot tell that he's had any work done though. I'm not sure if it's the same stuff that they use for the caps. I'll have to call and ask.

 

[LoriKutchey]

I'm sure medical is paying for surgery, but is your dental insurance covering these crowns? If it is under dental insurance, please call the insurance company yourself and find out why they will cover only silver on the anterior teeth (I honestly don't believe this is the case) The insurance should cover the white for anterior teeth. And I believe, that it is totally untrue that insurance would only cover for recementing silver ones instead of white ones. I believe you are getting some wrong info here. Please call the insurance company yourself to clear this all up. What is the cause for son to need this surgery? Just curious

Good Luck, Lori

 

[ptlycloudy]

My dd had caps put on at 2.5 . We opted for the white ones and I am glad we did. She is 7 now and still has two of the top ones and the dentist said it will be another year or so before they come out. She has gotten teased some kids by having the silver on the back but not too much. She has always been so shy that I didn't want the extra trauma of having all silver. Yet some of her friends have silver and I have not heard them being teased. Maybe they picked on her because she is the type to cry over it.

We had to pay$2000 for her teeth. The insurance wouldn't cover the white caps or the general anesthesia. I will say that it was a very traumatic experience for all of us but I am glad we went with the general anesthesia. My dh sat in the room with them when they did the surgery , since I had a 6 month old to take care of . Coming out of it she was very scared and upset and didn't like dentists for a very long time!!! This year is the first year of dental visits without drama. Also all the rest of her teeth have come in perfect since then. Go figure!

We have had no chips or scratches of any kind. Although I will say that at least as far as the white ones go everything sticks to them and I make her brush her teeth after putting anything in her mouth.

 

[rluey29]

ptlycloudy- Could you please tell me the exact type of crown that your daughter received? It sounds like it held up really well. I've been researching my options for white caps, steel w/ white covering, etc and none of them are getting good reviews.

Yes, my son's insurance is paying for the hospital stay and surgery but man we had to go through the ringer about it. I've already talked to the company and complained as to why they don't even cover a partial amount for the white ones, and they said that they used to but they stopped. The stainless are the strongest option and I guess they don't care about the way that other people's children look.

This baby isn't even 2 yet. I just can't fathom him having to smile with a mouth full of silver teeth for 6 years!

To the person who wanted to know what happened to his teeth, it's just decay. He breastfed for a long time and very often. I really don't understand how this happened though. We have been brushing his gums since way before he got teeth and continued to brush them as they came in. It almost seems like he had weak enamel or something.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

ptlycloudy- Could you please tell me the exact type of crown that your daughter received? It sounds like it held up really well. I've been researching my options for white caps, steel w/ white covering, etc and none of them are getting good reviews.

Yes, my son's insurance is paying for the hospital stay and surgery but man we had to go through the ringer about it. I've already talked to the company and complained as to why they don't even cover a partial amount for the white ones, and they said that they used to but they stopped. The stainless are the strongest option and I guess they don't care about the way that other people's children look.

This baby isn't even 2 yet. I just can't fathom him having to smile with a mouth full of silver teeth for 6 years!

To the person who wanted to know what happened to his teeth, it's just decay. He breastfed for a long time and very often. I really don't understand how this happened though. We have been brushing his gums since way before he got teeth and continued to brush them as they came in. It almost seems like he had weak enamel or something.

My son just turned 5 and will be going thru the same surgery here in the next month. Luckily all of his teeth has to be capped are in the back. But I'm very nervious about the whole thing but he's better for him to get them fixed now and not have a problem with his teeth. My younger sister had to go thru the same thing when she was maybe 3. Mom had to pay a ton out of pocket and those darn things kept falling out and she had the silver ones. But whatever you choose, good luck.

 

[WendyisDarling]

I had a root canal as a child maybe 20 years ago and had a silver cap because that was what was commonly used at the time. I would definitely NOT recommend getting one if you had the option to get a white one and could afford to do so. You can always see it (mine was in the back, the front right all the way on the side) and I felt like compared to the white cap I have now - same tooth, weirdly enough), the metal cap cut into my gum and caused more irritation to me. I am not sure if that is a legitimate complaint and I am sure the white could just as easily irritate your gum but that was my experience. My tooth luckily fell out a year or two later but I really disliked having that cap as a child.

I had the same situation. Hated that silver cap even though it was in the back. It did irritate my gum and I do remember it coming off.

I know it is a lot of money, but I would go with the white. Have you tried to negotiate a price with the doctor? It feels weird, but I have done it now several times and am almost always successful.

I now have a white crown on my front tooth. I would think they use the same materials --just not worry with the perfect shading and shaping. I have not had any issues at all with scratches or chips. .

DH has several white crowns (a lot--$17K worth) . His come off once in a while. This once in a while coincidentally is always when he eats some sort of sticky candy like taffy or caramel. Our insurance does cover recementing them, but I believe our dentist's full charge to repair is $50. (I ask if the candy was really that good?)

Your DS will have those caps for a long time and they are right in the front. It seems like you have a bit of a dialogue going with the surgeon's office. I would call again and explain your concern about appearance (most people, I think would understand) and ask if they would consider a lower fee since your insurance won't pay anything. Likely they will want you to offer a figure first. Ask if he would consider doing it for $200/tooth instead of $235. If they say no, you could ask if there is a lower fee they would accept. If they say no you know again, then at least you asked.

Good luck. Best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery for your son.

 

[Coll0610]

DS had to have a couple of teeth pulled and a crown put on one (on the bottom towards the back) due to decay when he was about 6. He didn't mind the silver crown at all. He told us it was where he kept his "powers".

 

[DisneyNic]

My son just turned 5 and will be going thru the same surgery here in the next month. Luckily all of his teeth has to be capped are in the back. But I'm very nervious about the whole thing but he's better for him to get them fixed now and not have a problem with his teeth. My younger sister had to go thru the same thing when she was maybe 3. Mom had to pay a ton out of pocket and those darn things kept falling out and she had the silver ones. But whatever you choose, good luck.

My DD5 just had EIGHT caps put on. All four back molars top and bottom. They are all silver but she has had no problem with them at all. The dentist told her they were princess crowns for her teeth and she was so excited to think that. Her dentist told me that she had hypoplastic or something like that, but it is something that happens during the second or third trimester of pregnancy so it wasn't anything that I had done (or didn't do). She was just born with weak enamel which made her prone to decay. The surgery was a very scary thing for me, especially when they finally brought her to me in the recovery room. She was still trying to wake up and come out of the anesthesia and it was really scary. It was definetely not my little girl. Even her voice did not sound like her. But finally after about an hour or so, she started to come around and was quickly back to my spunky little princess. Anyway, sorry OP I don't really have advice on your decision but I wanted to share my experience. Good luck!!

 

[ceecee]

Deciduous crowns are not the same as permanents and they will come off sometimes, but usually they hang on pretty well. Your insurance should cover the allowable part of a stainless steel crown even though you are doing the whites, most insurance will downgrade (same with amalgam vs composite fillings). I would go with white too since he will have them until 6 at least. That seems like a really high co pay for temporary crowns, did you get two estimates. Maybe it's not high for your area but it is for here.

 

[imsayin]

Do you have a flex spending account at work? Maybe you can postpone the work until January & pay via a flex account. At least you'd save some money. DD had to have 7 teeth pulled & we postponed it to use our flex account.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP, there's a toothpaste made by tooth experts that actually has an enzyme from breastmilk in the toothpaste. So while it has natural sugars in it, it also has natural enzymes in it to help with those sugars. Don't blame breastmilk, there are plenty of people who don't buy into the breastmilk thing.

But listen. IF this dentist's only given options are surgery with dangerous GA or strapping baby down, RUN AWAY. There are other options, there are other dentists.

There are probably even dentists who won't see the same drastic problem as this guy does!

My guy had two teeth that grew in yellow, turned brown as they grew, then started to disintegrate. While we were looking for someone, he got a cavity that was pretty big, between those bad teeth.

The first dentist we saw was great, but at the time DS was a year old and she wasn't sure about working on such a little one.

The second guy was a pediatric dentist, had a beautiful office with tons of staff. He told us that it was sugars, that DS was drinking too much juice (when he said that we didn't even mention that he was nursing (and still does at 4 y.o.) for fear he would have a stroke, LOL), and he looked at our somewhat overweight bodies with disgust in his eyes. I should mention he had yet to look in our son's mouth during all of this diagnosis, let alone look in there with lights or, wow what an idea, xrays.

He said that DS had to have those two pulled and the middle ones would probably go too (by this time he'd looked briefly at DS's mouth but we were still in the pre-interview in a room, not with DS on a dentist chair), and there were so many spots and each and everyone of them would have to be drilled and filled! He said that he would call in an anesthesiologist and a nurse, we would coordinate medical and dental, and *we would not be allowed back there during the procedure*.

The whole thing was laughable, but the last was the end. We said goodbye and didn't go back.

We *finally* found someone when DS was between 18 months and 2 years, and by this time it was getting to crunchtime, b/c DS was starting to hurt. It was a random thing...I had tried to get into this certain ped dentist's office (he's known for singing children through fillings rather than using drugs), but the guy was full. New patients had to call between certain hours on the first business day of the month to HOPE they could get in. I tried for 3 months and gave up. Then someone on either mothering dot com's dental boards or a yahoogroup called veryyoungkidsteeth (both are HIGHLY recommended to check out before you have this surgery on your baby) said that the DDS had taken on a new partner. I called immediately and got in that week. Whew!

This guy allows one parent back with a kid of ANY age, tying a child down is the absolutely LAST resort, and for little ones they have a private room with a TV in the ceiling and they play Finding Nemo all day long.

By our 3rd visit with him, he had filled the big cavity with NO medicine, not gas or lidocaine, just did it with Nemo as the pain relief. And he pulled Eamon's two nasty teeth with just a blip of lidocaine. By that third visit with the tooth pulling, DS was brave enough to get up on the chair by himself; the other two visits had DS lying with his torso and legs on hubby's lap and his head/shoulders on the dentist's lap, and that's how Dr Ben did the fillings.

As for the spots all over? NOT AN ISSUE for Dr Ben. Ben has been watching them to see if they "do anything", but DS is over 4 now, and nothing has happened with them.


So get another opinion. Find a ped dentist who doesn't limit himself to papoose or surgery with GA. Find someone who might have a totally different opinion than the first guy.

Do these things NOW, because if there's another diagnosis from someone else, you want to know before you've had caps put on.



As for the actual question? If I were having all those caps put on a baby's teeth, I would pay the money to make them look nice.

But frankly, if he won't replace one that fell off, I'd be firing him anyway, so it's all moot.

I hope you can find someone else for a second opinion, b/c dentist vary wildly in their opinions of what is worth general anesthetic or tying a kid down.

 

[rluey29]

Your insurance should cover the allowable part of a stainless steel crown even though you are doing the whites, most insurance will downgrade (same with amalgam vs composite fillings). That seems like a really high co pay for temporary crowns, did you get two estimates. Maybe it's not high for your area but it is for here.

You would think that they WOULD pay at least the $175 that they will cover for the stainless and let me pay the rest, but no. They won't pay one penny on them. It makes me want to scream! If it were their own child, they would feel differently. There is no copay, it's just me paying the total cost. I didn't think about asking the surgeon if she'd lower the costs. I just assumed that she was charging me for what the materials cost her.

A few of you are talking about your adult crowns, but I'm pretty sure they won't do porcelain crowns on baby teeth.