those without dental Ins~how/what do you do??

[PrincessKitty1]

I'm surprised your dentist never saw the gauze under the filling before. Putting medicated gauze in a tooth and then putting a filling on top is standard practice if its a very big filling... Doing this is supposed to put less stress on the tooth... of course this is also supposed to just be a temporary filling and it should then be changed to a final filling in 3 to 6 months... I'm guessing the person that did it on your tooth either forgot to tell you or just assumed that on your next visit they would finish the job. The fact that you weren't told of this is a mistake on someones part... and its also a mistake on your current dentists part that he didn't realize what he was seeing.

No, this was NOT a temporary filling. My current dentist did say it could be done for a temporary filling, but this was not supposed to be a temporary filling. If it WAS just a temporary filling, the faculty member at the dental school did not tell me this. I had it for at least 3 years.

But really, my experience at the dental school was one mistake after another. Poor color match on veneers, not returning my calls re: the crown that turned into a root canal that turned into an extraction (if they had returned my calls, I could have saved a good portion of the cost of the crown). And my dentist could not even figure out how to fit a temporary crown.

The faculty practice seems to have a very large turnover; I had a new dentist every couple of years. But the last one I had was the one who drove me into the office of a dentist in private practice. Too bad, because I work literally in the same building where the faculty practice is located.

Anyway, my point is simply that I would not rely on a dental school to do the kind of extensive dental work the OP needs, based on my experience at our dental school.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Wow, sorry to hear about your dental issues, that's a tough one.

We would have to pay $48 a month for dental insurance. On top of that, it has a yearly cap, $1500(?), and only covers 50% for major issues, such as caps, etc., and 80% on fillings.
It really didn't pay to get it, and on another message boards, about finances, most people post that dental insurance is only good if it's free from the company, otherwise you're better off paying as you go. Doing our numbers, I came to the same conclusion.

Now, in our case, I put money in a "dental" account. When there isn't enough, I put it on a credit card, or try to spread the work out as much as possible.
I have a back tooth that is going to need to be capped. Just talked to dentist and he can still fix it, but knowing it's only a matter of time, I have started putting more money aside to cover it. I will let it go as long as possible.

I feel badly for you. My DH's aunt spent about $15K on her teeth, and then ended up getting all of them pulled and getting false teeth. It was all out of pocket. They had the money, but still, it was a lot.

That's not always true. Our premium is only $8. and change per 2 wk pay. They cover cleanings and x-rays at 100% as well as pretty much everything else at 80% incl fillings, caps, crowns, bridges, root canals. Our policy allows $2500 towards braces as long as it is for a minor. We don't have any coverage for braces for adults. I do think our plan is an exceptionally good one, but I wouldn't make a blanket statement about all policies. JMHO.

 

[Brooknwdw]

I don't have time to read all the replies, so sorry if this has been suggested already.

There is a "credit card" called CARE CREDIT, that is specifically for dental, cosmetic, vet, and other related medical services. They have a no interest, fixed pay plan.

One year, I HAD to have some dental work done, no insurance, and it had to happen. It was over 4k worth of work (one bridge alone was over $2200)

I didn't want to charge it on a credit card and pay interest, it was an emergency, so I applied for this care credit card. It is issued by GE Money Bank. When you apply (I did it online) they ask you how much you think you need, I was just guessing and I said 5k. I was instantly approved, and they tell you what your payment will be. As long as you pay it off within that time frame (like 18 months I believe it was)..you pay NO interest.

It's not ideal, no one wants an extra payment- but when it comes to your teeth..sometimes needs MUST! It worked for me!
If you want to check it out, just go to the carecredit website and research it, it will let you search for local dentists in your area who accept care credit.

HTH!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

What kind of isurance do you all have that you are paying only $8 to $12 for per month we pay well more than that and yes i do need to crunch the # again this year. Though DH just got a temp corwn and gets a permanent gold one next week oh joy so the insurance is paying for some (not all) of that. We have Delta he gets it from his school district and we pay the full premium (it is offered but the district doesn't pick up any of the tab).


















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[Teresa Pitman]

I'm a single parent although my four children are now grown. What I did was take my kids to the dentist as needed - not regular check ups and cleaning, unfortunately, but if they thought they had a cavity or had pain. Even that was pretty expensive. Two needed braces but didn't get them. I myself haven't been to a dentist in about 20 years, and now my kids are big and don't have to pay for them so I could probably go, I'm embarrassed about how bad my teeth are so I won't.

Not ideal but it was the best I could do.

Teresa

 

[addicted2dizney]

I'm a single parent although my four children are now grown. What I did was take my kids to the dentist as needed - not regular check ups and cleaning, unfortunately, but if they thought they had a cavity or had pain. Even that was pretty expensive. Two needed braces but didn't get them. I myself haven't been to a dentist in about 20 years, and now my kids are big and don't have to pay for them so I could probably go, I'm embarrassed about how bad my teeth are so I won't.

Not ideal but it was the best I could do.

Teresa

Don't be embarrassed, As a dental professional, we love it more than anything to help people like you. I understand its a vicious cycle and it's hard to make the step back because it's been so long, then time goes by and it's even longer. Ask your friends who they use and find someone who is sympathetic to your needs. You will be surprised how easy it will be! Please get your teeth checked, only in the last few years are the heath experts showing proof that your oral health is linked to your dental health. Bacteria in your mouth circulates through your body to your organs. Think of the heart medications that get placed under your tongue because it enters the blood stream the quickest that way. I don't mean to preach, I just care about people's mouths and having them be the best they can be! If you ever need any advice, feel free to PM me!