Tag Archives: partial denture

Affordable Dentistry

I can’t afford all the work I need done

I grew up with a difficult childhood and dental care wasn’t a regular part of my life until after high school. At 27 years old my teeth show it. My dental flipper just broke and I already have over $2o,000 in work that needs to be done. I simply can’t afford it. But I really wish there was a way to improve things. My dentist won’t work with me. I wish the crowns and bridges could somehow be reduced but he won’t budge on fees.

Do you have any recommendations or ideas? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

– Linda from Wisconsin

Linda,

I’m not aware of any special resources or an extremely affordable dentist that would provide discounts. But I do have some recommendations that you may find helpful.

Without knowing exactly what services you require it is difficult to make specific treatment recommendations. Although, from what you have described it seems as if you should be able to phase your treatment out over time. This will allow you to pay as you go which will make your dentistry more affordable.

If decay is a big issue and you have several teeth that need to be extracted, then you may be able to treat things economically. If the dentist removes the decay then the tooth can be filled as cost-effective as possible. Or if it’s a crown you need, the dentist can build up the area without actually placing the crown. Both of these options will help and will hopefully be less expensive.

Or temporary fillings can be placed to help with the decay. This isn’t a long-term strategy but the material used for these fillings contains fluoride. This will be a good base for a crown and the fluoride will help resist future decay.

As for teeth that need to be removed, a partial denture is much less expensive than dental implants or bridges.

If your dentist won’t work with you then make some calls and hopefully you can find one that will. Just be honest and upfront about your financial situation. I would explain that you have a lot of work to be done and you need to phase it out over time. Also, some dentists offer complimentary consultations where you can go in and discuss specifics and hopefully come up with a personalized plan that works for you.

Best of luck.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.

Related link: affordable dental implants

Dental Implants

Will dental implants be covered by medical insurance?

I am not in the best dental health and have many problems with my upper teeth. I’m missing three in the back and have a bridge that is over 30 years old. It’s time to have my upper teeth replaced and I would like to get denture implants.

I also have issues with periodontal disease and am required to get scaling / root planing twice a year. I tried a partial dental plate and didn’t like it. It was very uncomfortable, I had difficulty eating, and it made me gag.

I was wondering if my medical insurance will help pay for the dental implants? I think I need an estimate so it could be considered a medical condition. Also, do you know if implants are routinely covered with under dental insurance?

– Dolores in Oregon

Dear Delores,

There are many advantages of dental implants over partial or complete dentures. With an implant there is no extra hardware in your mouth. This will help with the gagging. Dental implants are the closing thing to having your natural teeth, you can eat and talk normally, and they also prevent a serious condition called facial collapse where your jawbone can shrink over time.

In regard to the medical insurance, it is unlikely dental implants will be covered. Your best bet will be to go through your dental insurance for assistance. It is a common question to inquire if “your teeth are affecting general health.” The expectation is that the medical insurance would help. Unfortunately, a medical insurance contract almost always has an exclusion for all dental issues. If they didn’t, individuals could potentially misuse it even for a simple cavity since it is considered to be an “infection” thus affecting your overall physical health.

Although, medical insurance will very likely cover any dental damage or complications from an accident. For example, if you fell down and broke your tooth off, medical insurance may help.

Lastly, you will need to contact your local dentist for a specific cost estimate.  Total costs vary greatly from each individual case to case. So schedule a consultation with your dentist of choice to obtain a detailed estimate for your budgeting purposes.

Good luck. Hopefully this information was helpful to you.

This post was provided by Gilbert dentist Vista Dorada Dental.