I forgot how much money and torture a dentist visit is

[1shott]

Starting in Dec 2018 I had the beginning of a lot of neglected dental work done.

Starting with a split upper molar, right side, 2nd from the rear. That day I had the tooth removed and the area prepped for a bridge, the less expensive and faster option vs a implant.

Used my dental insurance for 2018 to cover that, then when everything had healed 6 weeks later in 2019, I had the dentist finish the job and had the perminate bridge installed.

Then made a new patient exam, complete set of x-rays, a whole mouth deep cleaning, that needed numbing, 8 cavities filled and a bridge over a lost molar, bottom left side, 2nd from the rear, from a failed root canal a few years before, the very rear tooth had a chip out of it, so instead of just doing a crown I asked the dentist how about a bridge since I missing a tooth, she said oh yes.

Then in 2022 and 2023 2 crowns installed, 1st one was upper left side, 2nd from the rear, see a pattern here, and then the tooth next to it, 3rd from the rear.

I see them about every 4 months for cleanings due to periodontal issues, and those cleanings along with my daily dental care have made a huge difference in my quality of life. No more mouth pain.

I had neglected seeing a dentist for at least 20 years, it started to catch up with me.

My dental insurance is thru Met Life, I go for the maximum plan offered the $2000 plan. It covers a pretty good amount, with them paying half the cost of crowns and bridges, me paying the other half. The thing is I have to use MyDentist, they are the only dentist that are in network.

I have been lucky tho, the 2 dentist that have worked on me both have been very skilled and competent. A lot of folks dont like them, I am not a fan of the layout of where the work is done, you can see and hear other patients, but save for 1 hygenist who was lazy and did not do the cleaning correctly everyone has been great. The office staff works with me to set appointments with the one hygienist that can work on my mouth correctly so that's a big help.

Hint, cleaning around bridge work can be a task but a skilled hygienist can make a difference.

Since they are in network I think my total out of pocket costs for all the work completed so far is around $8,000. Insurance has covered a lot more than that.

With dental insurance you need to find a in network dentist, they will take the negotiated fee schedule, vs a dentist that will accept what the insurance pays then charge you the office rate, which means a lot more out of pocket for you.

Also do not neglect your teeth, get to a dentist.

 

[Profreedomokie]

Most of them could give Torquemada lessons in torture.

When I was a kid and had a filling put in the dentist didn't even deaden it. It hurt like hell.

 

[XYZ]

I had a 50 year old bridge fail. Took forever to get done with the repairs and implant.

 

[Hangfire]

No insurance and have had three root canals in the past two months and am just beginning the crown process....all said and done figure right at $3200.00 per tooth from start to finish.

Help a brother out.....if you see me on the corner I'd really appreciate it if you'd drop a buck or two in my cap.

 

[Aku]

I go to the OU dental college in OKC, they do very good work. Bunch cheaper than regular dental offices.

This is where I used to go. I've had major dental issues, and when I first started with the dental college, you were assigned a periodontal graduate student, with a real dentist watching over things and double checking xrays. They would always take photographs as part of their class work and was used to study and learn. It was an almost pleasant experience. The shots hurt, but done with loving care. They even took into consideration my blood thinner medication, when doing the procedures. I even got my assigned students cell phone number if I had questions. She would call me after class work was done to check on me. I went through 4 surgeries with that student. She became - like family. Then everything changed. She graduated, and went to her families periodontal business, which I couldn't afford. (and still can't) Things spiraled downhill fast at the dental college after her graduation, which ultimately led me to find somewhere else to go. I hope its better now, that place saved me from having my teeth pulled out and dentures fitted.

 

[TerryMiller]

I don't have dental insurance and pay by credit card. The place I go to here in Claremore has 3 women
dentists and for $300 a year it covers all cleanings, X-rays etc. A crown costs $1000. They do a good
job and it's painless. I don't like dentist's either but I like to eat steaks so I want to keep my teeth in
good shape for as long as I can.

I had all my teeth pulled and got dentures back in 2009. After they were pulled, I had to wait 2 months for the gums to heal well enough to get good denture impressions.

Let me just mention that if necessary, one can eat steak even without teeth. It takes longer to get through one, but it can be done.

 

[Ryan500L]

This is where I used to go. I've had major dental issues, and when I first started with the dental college, you were assigned a periodontal graduate student, with a real dentist watching over things and double checking xrays. They would always take photographs as part of their class work and was used to study and learn. It was an almost pleasant experience. The shots hurt, but done with loving care. They even took into consideration my blood thinner medication, when doing the procedures. I even got my assigned students cell phone number if I had questions. She would call me after class work was done to check on me. I went through 4 surgeries with that student. She became - like family. Then everything changed. She graduated, and went to her families periodontal business, which I couldn't afford. (and still can't) Things spiraled downhill fast at the dental college after her graduation, which ultimately led me to find somewhere else to go. I hope its better now, that place saved me from having my teeth pulled out and dentures fitted.

I've had several different students work on my teeth over the last several years, never had an issue. Aspen dental quoted me $13,000 for everything I needed done and I got it all done at OU for around $3,000. I go there for cleanings and everything.

 

[leemozoid]

Last month I broke a crown. The post it was on dwindled to nothing and while picking some plaque off the back it broke off. I required five crowns because of the need to have two "good" teeth on either side of the new crown to anchor it to. Over $10k and 3 hrs in the chair. Insurance paid all but $3100. Get the new ones next week.

 

[XYZ]

Dentist visit worse than this.

 

[Aku]

I've had several different students work on my teeth over the last several years, never had an issue.

That's what started happening to me after that graduate student graduated. My experience was not like yours however. It was not pleasant. It sounds better now, which is good.