$5,760.00.....

[mike_c]

That's the estimate the dentist laid on me this afternoon. Some fillings to fix, a couple of crowns, and a bridge. Luckily I have dental insurance. Unluckily it will only cover $2,000, leaving me with $3,760 to pay. <grinds teeth>

[WindRavenX]

1. are you fucking kidding me???

:wow:

[mike_c]

9. I wish I was....

Nope the real deal. I suppose I'm actually lucky it's not worse-- I'm of the generation that first got the benefits of flouride added to water and toothpaste, but the hygenist still chuckled at my mouthful of silver-- she says people in my daughter's generation-- early twenties-- have considerably fewer dental problems than people from my generation (and most don't have silver amalgam fillings).

[MrSlayer]

2. Get a new dentist, this guy is a thief pretending to be one.

Crazy.

[MNDEM2004]

3. Sorry man.

Can any of the work be delayed until your insurance will cover more. Are you allowed so much per calendar year for your insurance.

[MissB]

4. argggh

(first, be glad you have $2k in coverage- I only get $1500 a year)

Does your company offer a medical savings account? If so, can you defer some until next year to take advantage of that?

I feel for you. I was unlucky enough to be left with four baby teeth in my mouth well into adulthood. I had to pay a whole hell of a lot of money to deal with those.

[Renew Deal]

5. Find a new dentist.

Or don't do it all this year.

[mike_c]

6. I like the dentist a lot, but I think I'll have to put off...

...some of the work until next year-- I don't want to, but I really can't afford to do it all now. I mean, not and eat, and stuff like that.

[Renew Deal]

8. Let insurance pay it.

Do half this year and half nexxt year.

[Zuni]

7. That is highway robbery

it doesn't sound like anything you are doing is that unusual. Is he also a high priced male prostitute, ala gannon? That might account for part of the cost

:P

[mike_c]

13. does it make a difference that the crowns will require root canals...?

I obviously haven't had anything other then cleaning and minor fillings in YEARS, and the last time I needed real dental work (couple of root canals nearly 20 yrs ago) I just had the teeth pulled instead because I couldn't afford to save them.

And no, the dentist is a VERY slight japanese american woman who is remarkably gentle. I mean, gentle counts for something when people are drilling holes in your teeth and inserting wires down the root....

[BiggJawn]

10. Lot of people around this lounge must have a relative who's a Dentist.

$5,700 for a COUPLE of crowns and all the rest of that is cheap!
Around here, the Endo will cost you $800 a tooth, with Stainless Steel crowns at $750 and Porcelain at $1200 and up.

Fillings are $75 each, unless more than one "surface" is involved.
I have no idea what bridgework runs.

Me, I'm going to the dental school, since I need 3 crowns, 4 fillings and a new partial plate.

Dentistry is very expensive. I think of it as getting jewelry installed in your mouth.

[n2mark]

16. Dentistry is very expensive

My dentist knows I don't have the money, we do a little at a time. We go according to the calendar year. I do what I can with the money and insurance I have now. My dentist charges me $750.00 for a crown, but if need a root canal that is another $750.00. Insurance pays some but there is always the pocket money.

If dentists would charge less, maybe people would have their teeth taken care of more often. Dentists are so expensive and insurance covers so little.

[BiggJawn]

19. Those of us w/o insurance do get ripped off, though.

Say you have insurance, and your scheduled co-pay for a filling is $20. Now the Dentist says he charges $75 for a filling, so your insurance company pays $55, right?

Wrong. The insurance company has negotiated a lower rate, maybe as low as $30.
So a person with insurance gets the same filling we pay $75 for $50.
And us cash customers don't get any better quality of workmanship for our extra $25. I was seeing a guy who'd come in, make a few cuts with the drill, then turn the job over to his D-A and run off to the next of his 8 treatment rooms...

HMO-quality work for full price money.

No wonder he lives on this big "estate" east of town....

[Ellen Forradalom]

11. Yeah, shop around.

Just as with anything else, get the best price.

[bilgewaterbill]

12. I got a soldeing iron

and a bottle of Jack. For 50 bucks I'll fix you right up.

[mike_c]

14. lol....

Best offer I've had all day, sailor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Same here

I am in the midst of treatment at my dentist that is costing about that much.

My dentist's office has a flyer they hand out to paients that is titled: "Why Dental Insurance Isn't Really Insurance"
yeah, no shit Sherlock

[donheld]

17. Is your dentist Yacht shopping by any chance?

Too bad he wants you to pay for it.

[Skittles]

18. been there

yes it sucks but do it, do anything to save your choppers