Rant on Teeth

[MinnieLove]

Just need to vent - I left the dentist office this afternoon down $900 due to a root canal. There went a huge chunk of holiday dollars. I will get reimbursed but in at least four weeks. YUCK!
I read someone else's washer broke. Shouldnt there be a law against major emergancy expenses when the holidays are right around the corner!

 

[Purseval]

I just paid $400 for a temporary crown and they wanted to do another one but I told them to leave it until the next year. My wife told me after I left the dentist that it looked like they were having some end of the year push for customers because they sent her a card saying she would be entered to win a prize if she came in for a cleaning. Dentists have to pay for Christmas presents just like the rest of us I guess.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Well, I have to agree, there should be some rule against, but seems like with my luck something bad is always lurking around the corner.

We have had to have 3 pets put to sleep this year after several thousands of dollars of medical care.

My roof has been leaking

I need my septic tank pumped

I have had $2000 worth of dental work

We dropped $6000 in January for an all new heating and AC unit

And we still have what 6 weeks until the end of the year, I just hope nothing else happens and I am very sure there are others that have had a far worse year.

Suzanne

 

[stczt]

Both of dh's silver fillings just fell out, I have a herniated disc That means several dr appt's and PT 2x's a week each at $20.00 also a MRI which I have not met my deductible so its $750.00. I canceled all my appts. Why pay me deductible now when I can do it in Jan. and last the whole year. I just cant do it so close to Christmas, it's already going to be tight as it is.

 

[delmar411]

Tis the season!

We've got a 3k car repair bill to pay today or tomorrow when the van's done. Couldn't be worse timing but it's got to be fixed.

Thankfully I've gotten all my shopping done already, although I'm feeling the need to return a lot of stuff because of that bill.

 

[karenos]

Funny you should mention this - I too just left the dentist and need to have a crown at the cost of almost $1300. ughh! I think my dental insurance will cover half and I have a FSA for medical costs, but that it is definitely NOT what I wanted for Christmas

karenos

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I am also looking at a 2000.00 dentist bill next week, but what do ya do, you gotta have teeth? I have known about this for a while now so I have saved up for it but it still stinks!

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

Looks like everyone needs dental work right now. I too need a crown and two fillings totalled $650. Even with dental insurance things are still expensive. Happy Holidays.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Count me in the mix too. Just had to have a new crown because the old tooth and crown broke off at the root and it was a front tooth . Got that paid for and the next day DH's tooth absessed and the dentist said the tooth and wisdom tooth next to it HAD to come out. There went our budget for the next month or two...and I'm trying to get that Disney trip for January paid off!!!! When it rains it pours!

 

[ceecee]

I work in the dental field and we are usually packed in Nov and Dec for people who put off work all year and then want to use their 09 benefits before Jan! We do usually run a special on bleaching and sell a lot of gift certifcates.

 

[tar heel]

At least you'll get reimbursed OP. Our family's November dental bill is $1,300+ and it's 100% out-of-pocket. Our Flexible Spending Account money was gone in August. We had decent dental insurance until April when DH was cut to 30hours a week - we not only lost 25% of salary but also dental, vision, life and disability insurance.

Did I mention that my glasses frames broke last week? I'm still wearing them, but the optician thinks I'll be lucky to get more than a couple weeks.

 

[Peaceableone]

About a month ago I had to have a root canal re-done. The dentist who did the work years ago didn't clean all the way to the end of the root (due to technology). I ended up with some infection with what was left behind. So, I had to go back for the re-root canal only to find there was calcium build up and he couldnt get through either. So, I had to go back yet again and this time they had to go at the root from my jaw. Anyway, needless to say, hey, a redo root canal cost MORE than just a root canal. Lucky me, my denist is now in my plan and it didnt hurt my pocket quite as much.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I hear ya! Appliance breakdowns, medical expenses and dental expenses should wait until after Christmas .

Actually, be thankful you have dental insurance or even flex account options. Any little bit helps. We have to pay 100% and it hurts!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Dental costs are outrageous. Dental health is so important (as everyone in power admits) and yet out of reach for so many Americans. I believe dental and mental health should be included in health insurance plans and be no different from any other kind of health, as far as insurance payments go.

 

[MinnieLuvsMickey09]

Speaking of Re-do's to the Root Canals yep been there going thru that now waitin on gettng fitted for the permanent crown.... What burnt me bad was when I was sitting in the Endodontist Chair he's looking at the referral and says " Looks like I'm doing 2 root canals?".... I got peeved said nope just one he says "look it says the other tooth needs it too."" I said I'm here for the ONE not TWO.... Needless to say my dentist tried to add a few extra bucks and when I go in for the crown he and I will be having a chat. I was told it was a misunderstanding but ... (fill in the blank)...

I had a bad experience a few years back where my dentist (now ex dentist) tried to double bill my insurance company. After a long hassle involving him threatening me and my insurance company and the state medical board threatening him back l am hesitant of the extra fixes that don't need fixed when it comes to dental work. Just my 2 cents

 

[xsigynx]

I agree, the dentist is unreasonably expensive. I need to go make an appointment to get my wisdom teeth removed and I am totally taking my time.

 

[disney4us2002]

So for those in the know.... if root canals mean you must get a crown and a crown is only guaranteed for five years, what happens next? That is a ton of money to invest in one tooth that will only last 5 or 6 years.

 

[ceecee]

So for those in the know.... if root canals mean you must get a crown and a crown is only guaranteed for five years, what happens next? That is a ton of money to invest in one tooth that will only last 5 or 6 years.

Once the nerve is out of the tooth (root canal) the tooth is more fragile and should be crowned. Crowns normally last a lot longer than 5 years! Maybe the dentists' "work" is guaranteed for 5 years. Crowns can be replaced but normally they last people a long time if not life, barring any perio disease, etc. As for endos needing to be redone, go to an Endodontist the first time and not a general dentist. Easy ones are fine for a general, but so many dentists hate to refer out because they are sending $ out the door.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have the best dentist in town. She referred me out to the Endodontist and he was great. I was soooo scared, but it was a breeze and I am very happy with the results. My Out of Pocket was almost $1,000, but well worth the work that went into it.

Suzanne

 

[disney1990]

I got pulled over because the turn signal on the front of my car was out. The police officer gave me a ticket to have it fixed within 10 days. However, it turned out to be some sort of switch and $260 later it was fixed - OUCH!!!