It's like pulling teeth ---

[Brazoo]

Today I had a tooth extracted - I somehow managed to crack it in half down to it's root a couple of days ago and went in for emergency surgery today because of the pain.

My dentist recommends a dental implant - but it costs a bloody fortune. My insurance is only good for a small chunk of it - and the rough estimate my dentist gave me was 4K+, which I would have a lot of trouble affording right now.

He claims a bridge isn't that much cheaper, and doesn't last as long.

Anyone have an experience with these procedures? I'm brand new with this dentist because my old one retired. This guy seems okay - but is 4k+ for one tooth insane or normal?

[theressa]

You know, medical professionals drive me crazy. Its all about $$$
Years ago I had a problem tooth. They wanted $800.00 for a root canal. He told me there would be a whole lotta pain! I told him to yank it and be done with it.

[Hector]

Wow...that's highway robbery, man!

[ODBJBG]

Detal stuff is very, very expensive.

[Mikey]

If it's a back tooth nobody can see don't do anything.

Never listen to dentists ... All they want is to drain your wallet

[TOYGOD]

Well when it comes to teeth, I am the expert!
Cosmedic repairs are what they are, REPAIRS to something that will break again! Root canals are 50/50 because odds are always good it will turn black and then you will want it pulled.
The bottom line some dentists concider you a investment because without you no $$$$$$$.
I've had to fight with dentist to pull the tooth and still they try to sell me on a reason why I should pay & pay when to tooth is done, they offer root canal to kill the nerve then fill it then it bothers you for days sometimes weeks then before you know it it's turning grey then black.
But on the bright side the dentist will offer a nice white surface to cover the black while he bills you more green $$$$$$$
The cycle continues.
I'm sure there are good dentists but they all want $$$$$$$.

[ScottA]

Ok. Back in late September I broke my front tooth at the root (I had a root canal at age 10 on my front teeth when I got hit in the mouth with a baseball). They were mine but empty inside. Anyway, the dentist said I needed to have it pulled along with the other front one - which I had done. I have a bridge now (glued in place as opposed to being "implanted". Cost was $4600 and my insurance only paid $1000. So yes they are very expensive. The father of the dentist I go to now actually did my root canal. I have been going to him since his father retired and I trust him.

I have to say it was interesting having no front teeth for 8 weeks.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Why is it so crazy expensive? Is it just because they can?

[Mikey]

Why is it so crazy expensive? Is it just because they can?

Dentistry is one of the biggest and least talked about rackets out there.

It's why most insurance companies wont cover a huge part of their bills.

My dentist wanted $275.00 to pull out 1 tooth ... Nothing else, just pull a tooth.

$275.00 for 1 minute of his time using his "high tech" device we call a pair of plyers.

It's a racket

[Cmonster]

Why is it so crazy expensive? Is it just because they can?

Yup. The medical profession has now become an industry. Doctors, hospitals, dentists, PILLS... It's all HUGE business. I don't watch much TV, but every now and then, when I do, I'm literally stunned by how many of the commercials are for pills and teeth whiteners. Crazy.

SC

[Brazoo]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks Mikey - to be honest I'll have to wait until my mouth heals to see how self conscious I am about leaving it. It's second from the back, but it's on my lower jaw, and seems visible to me.

Ok. Back in late September I broke my front tooth at the root (I had a root canal at age 10 on my front teeth when I got hit in the mouth with a baseball). They were mine but empty inside. Anyway, the dentist said I needed to have it pulled along with the other front one - which I had done. I have a bridge now (glued in place as opposed to being "implanted". Cost was $4600 and my insurance only paid $1000. So yes they are very expensive. The father of the dentist I go to now actually did my root canal. I have been going to him since his father retired and I trust him.

I have to say it was interesting having no front teeth for 8 weeks.

Yeah - this sounds exactly the same for me. My insurance only covers 80% up to $1,200 per year, so after paying for x-rays and the extraction that only leaves me with about $1,000 for a $4,000+ procedure.

Though my dentist says the bridge isn't too much cheeper. I'll have to look into this more. Thanks!

[neogelion]

I have Maryland bridges and would not get the implant. The bridge is a metal piece that attaches to the teeth on either side of the spot where the tooth is gone. Only draw back is it won't stay on forever and you lose some of your biting power.

[Brazoo]

You guys gotta come to Mexico! Monster Cafe Saltillo is here AND the dentistry is CHEAP! Got teeth whitened, 4 cavities taken care of and the black root canal thing for $270

I'd be totally down for that! It's been a couple of years since the woman and I have taken a vacation.

Tomorrow I'm going to look into rates at dentistry schools.