Oh, boy......
I got back from the Dentist a while ago and I'm still reeling from "Sticker Shock".
I knew I need some dental work as I've been getting food trapped between my rear most molars on the bottom on both sides, and a month or so ago I had a chip break out of one on the lower right side. Plus, I need a really good cleaning as I haven't been to the Dentist since I retired 3 years ago and lost my Dental coverage at the Dentist I've been going to since 1995.
My wife's dental plan didn't cover her, and while I'd been to my wife's Dentist during my lay-off between Boeing and Energia, I just kinda-sorta "never went" back since I started retirement.
WELLLLL.....I need a bit more than I anticipated.
A LOT more, in fact.
About $18k more......
To start, I need a crown on one tooth, but at least that tooth in good enough shape that it doesn't need a root canal.
And I have three fillings that are "leaking" and need to be replaced. The X-Rays show those three teeth are in good condition except that the fillings are shot.
The real kicker is I need THREE teeth extracted, and implants placed there or the teeth above them will soon get all weirded out, and I'll lose them.
And because of a night-time problem of grinding my teeth when I sleep, my lower front teeth are worn to the point that if I don't get all of them crowned, they'll be going bye-bye in a few years....
Looks like my "Colorado Garage Fund" just took a major hit.......
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What I've Been Up To....
Started this post on Monday, then came down with a head cold, which is now progressing South. Feeling better, but still a bit woozy...... To...
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Implants are on the order of $2,500 each aren't they?
ReplyDeleteBecause they're going to give me a "volume discount", It'll be around $1,800 per implant.
DeleteThe extractions will have to be done by an Oral Surgeon because of the root structure and the fact that the teeth are in pretty poor condition because of the decay, and where the decay is located on the tooth.
And they're going to have to knock me out to do it, so that means my poor little wife will have to escort me.
Oh, well....bring on the pain meds!
Make sure that they give you plenty of refills on the opiates.
DeleteThey quoted me 24K. I feel ya brother.
ReplyDeleteYep. The pain remains long after the anesthetic wears off....
DeleteDay-um!!
ReplyDeleteThe moral to the story is....Take Good Care Of Your Teeth!!
DeleteWe just went through this cycle with my wife. There were significant differences between what the endodontist told us, and what our regular dentist told us. The endodontist went through the drill about having to have an implant, but he told us it would likely not "take" anyway. The dentist pulled the tooth, it was a lower right side tooth all the way at the back. He said let it go a few months and see if the upper tooth "erupted", in which case we would have to have more work. The total cost of all this, was well over $1500 but my insurance picked up all but the deductible, so we wound up paying about $300 I think it was.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you have all this to deal with. Medical and Dental care are a nightmare.
Yep, the upper tooth from where I had a molar pulled a couple of years ago has started erupting. One of the molars I need removed is next to the one that's already been pulled. If they don't do the implant, the two or three teeth above the lower ones will erupt, and I'll lose them.
DeleteSheesh! And I am complaining about $3,200.
ReplyDeleteEverything costs more here in the People's Demokratik Republik of Kaliforniastan....
DeleteFor that level of cost, you might consider looking at having it done outside the US. IIRC, lots of countries do this sort of thing much cheaper, such as Thailand, India, and some of the East European ones.
ReplyDeleteI suppose if I researched it enough I could find a "package deal" that included the dental work, transportation, and lodging.
DeleteDefinitely consider some dental tourism, Mexico isn't that far of a drive.
ReplyDeleteNow that you are retired the time consuming process of getting work done by well supervised dental students might be worth the hassle. Surely there's one at a LA area university.
Not sure if "The Boss" would approve of me doing that.
DeleteI had a gum issue several years back. I didn't like what the dentist said. Got a waterpik and started using it every day along with flossing. Gums cleared up in about 6 months and I get rave reviews from the dental hygienist now. I also got a new dentist. I know this isn't your current problem but it might help prevent future issues.
ReplyDeleteAs you surmise, I'm way beyond that. I've been flossing, and have a "Dentist Recommended" electric vibrating, spinning, singing, dancing toothbrush that supposedly helps get rid of stuff.
DeleteWe'll just have to see hoe this plays out. I find it a bit suspicious that my co-pay on all this work is EXACTLY equal to what the insurance company portion is; i.e. I'm paying X dollars, and the insurance company is paying a matching amount.
Wow!!! That is completely outrageous!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm going to call them out on a few things that look fishy....
DeleteI have a good used cars worth of one tooth, although that did take several years. And a bit in the rest too. After the implant for the expensive tooth was paid for I finally went and bought a supplemental dental insurance plan. That plan has about paid for itself (but not quite) over the last few years with minor work, cleaning and checkups. But that is not what I buy that plan for, it is if I need another implant. So I believe that what you are looking at is in the ball park for the work needed.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah.....I'm definitely going to look into supplemental dental coverage, probably through AMAC.
DeleteYou can't get within 5 miles of AARP!
Meant to say you can't get ME within 5 miles of the AARP!
DeleteTotal teeth sympathy... all mine had to go a couple of months back. I was able to send the sticker shock to the diocese, thank God.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's something I am NOT looking forward to!
Delete