[wi_fighter]

Ever get the feeling that dentists "recommend" the most expensive form of preserving your teeth with no consideration for the patient's ability to pay?

Last dentist I went to pulled a molar, replaced two fillings, and crowned a cracked tooth. That was about 2-1/2 years ago. He also said I needed two other teeth crowned because "they could break at any moment."

I was highly dissatisfied with his work. The tooth he crowned took 2 years to stop hurting from his cement job. He said it would last 2 weeks while the pH adjusted and that's why it was sensitive. His lab tech kept making unusable bleaching trays. The last one actually had a hole in it. He threw away the mold and then yelled at me because he had to make a new one. He sold me bleaching gel that was 18 months past expiration. He left a sharp edge on one of the fillings and I asked him to buff it down. He was mad and said there was nothing wrong with it, then proceeded to file it down so much that now I have a sensitive spot there.

When I called with the concerns I was having, he wouldn't return my calls. When the assistants called to do a routine check of how things were going, I told them my concerns and they said they would tell him and he would call back. He never called back.

A year ago I was eating a bagel and heard a crack. My baby tooth that never came out finally decided it had lived past it's prime. Two weeks later it fell out. Now I have a gap in my lower teeth right in front. Knowing it would cost around $3000 to fill the gap, I've just lived with it. I absolutely hate it. The crown in front of the molar that was pulled, cracked when I was eating popcorn.

I went to a different dentist because he had sent out a $39 inital consultation and x-rays flyer. He wrote up a treathment plan and wants to do a 2-tooth cantilever bridge to replace the missing molar/cracked crown. He needs to do a 3-tooth bridge with a pontic for the missing front tooth. He wants to crown one of the teeth the former dentist said could break any time. The other tooth that was suggested to be crowned is actually still structurally sound. So, 6 crowns at a cost of $917 each. He wants to seal 7 teeth, because they don't have cavities yet, at a cost of $41 each. He wants to do a frenulectomy because it's completely pulled the gum tissue away from one tooth, that's $466. Add in anesthesia, it comes to $6335.

I said that kind of expense isn't feasible and asked about a partial to replace the 3 lower teeth. "Oh, you don't want a partial. You have to take them out and clean them, and food gets under them." Yeah, OK, fine, but we're talking like 1/6 the cost too. I asked about the Valplast type of partial that uses a flexible nylon base that doesn't have metal hooks. "I don't know what you're talking about." A few minutes later, I saw the video presentation about "no-show partials" on his closed-circuit TVs that are in the waiting room and all exam/treatment areas. The exact thing I had just mentioned.

What is it with dentists who suggest outlandishly priced, possibly unnecessary repairs without any consideration for what the patient can possibly afford?

Guess it's off to a third dentist for a second opinion. I have an article clipped out for one in Appleton who donates a lot his time and services to uninsured, low income people. I don't expect a handout, but maybe he can suggest a lower cost alternative.

To make matters worse (or maybe better), I just found out one of my credit cards has had a credit line increase up to $9500. I now have $5500 available credit. I don't need this temptation. I need the teeth replaced to keep the remaining ones from shifting and becoming crooked and costing more to repair down the road. But I don't need the added monthly expense either.

What to do, what to do?

[dexter]

Find a better dentist wi. They are not all like that. I have an honest car repairman who I trust, has always done good work, and I never have to pay an arm and a leg or for anything unneeded. Sometimes he may suggest something that isn't absolutely necessary, but the decision is mine without any pressure.

There are dentists that are as good as my car mechanic I would bet.

Sometimes they are hard to find. Just like with any profession, and just like with people, there are good ones and there are a$$es. You need to find one that has talent, is honest, and fits your personality. Rate them in all three areas, and don't settle until you find one that fits your needs.

Good luck!

[dottie]

Hi...your post sounds like a nightmare. I have been thru my own nightmares with dentists. There isen't one in the bunch that I have liked.I pay $520.00 per month to be covered by Medicaid. It's insane. I am still waiting for my dentures..and it's turning into months for the wait. Just sad..is what it is, W.I.!!!

[wi_fighter]

That much to be covered by Medicaid? Holy cow! I don't have insurance at all, but his billing manager/wife said everything I "need" is cosmetic and insurance wouldn't cover it anyway. OK, so I need all these crowns to keep my other teeth from shifting and causing problems, but it's cosmetic?

I saw our newest bag lady last week. She walked in my driveway when I was unloading groceries and asked why I didn't have the leather chair with the cat-pee soaked cushion sitting on the curb any more. That was a couple of months ago that I put it out, and the neighbors promptly took it. Ewwwww. Anyway, she had like 4 remaining top front teeth. I don't want to become that. My self esteem is falling further and further because of this one missing tooth that makes me lisp more than I already did, and causes me to spray when I'm talking. I always look unapproachable because I won't smile, and I don't like to talk to new people because of the problems it's causing me.

That credit increase is looking really tempting.

I have a 3-tooth bridge to the left of my front tooth, and a single crown to the right of my other front tooth to replace improperly formed teeth. Those are 27 years old and are unattractive. I'd love to replace those too, but with a partial? I'd have two front teeth when I took the partial off. Actually, that might be comical. LOL

[wi_fighter]

You know, it's not like I expect to have movie-star teeth or anything. It seems like perfect teeth is the new "must-have fashion accessory" these days, though, and if you don't have an impossibly dazzling, unnaturally straight, white smile, you're less than attractive.

[JustBen]

When you shop for a shirt, it's not too tough. You don't need any special knowledge...you know what you like, and you try to find it for a good price. Shopping for a dentist, mechanic, doctor, therapist, or lawyer is a whole different game, though. Unless you have special training in dentistry, car repair, etc. it's hard to tell the good from the bad...until you screwed, that is.

[wi_fighter]

"until you're screwed, that is."

Ain't that the truth?

[(JD)]

You have to take care of your teeth.... if you don't your entire physical health can spiral downward, not to mention the loss of enjoyment of eating and stuff like that. I would get a second opinion.. even insurance pays for that often. I have one crown and it hasn't settled in yet... and that was what==May? I keep trying to get back to the DMD.. he moved and I don't do well with finding or going new places. He's one of the best (really) around, yet I experienced some things you talk about, also.

Maybe you can compromise... enough to feel good about yourself, but not put you in the money pit forever? TC (If you have a tendency to get cavities, I would go with the sealer...it does pay for itself then.)

[lenjan]

You and I are in the same place, girl. Except that I live in Milwaukee, and Marquette has the only dental school in the entire STATE. Supposedly, since it's a teaching school, it's supposed to be state-of-the-art, blah blah blah.

My teeth have shifted horribly over the years, and now my two front teeth really stick out and there's a big gap between them. I have a bunch of loose ones on the bottom as well, which I was told would probably have to be replaced.

After going through every dentist and -ontist of various flavors, I wound up with a prosthodontist a couple weeks ago. He told me the same thing everybody else who saw my xrays told me, that I have "short roots" and that "limits the possibilities." He told me they couldn't do bridges or crowns because of it.

Now, my mother, before getting dentures, had partials that she popped in and out -- they weren't fixed. Supposedly they can't permanently anchor anything to my teeth because of my bone loss. Why they can't give me a partial that I can take in and out, I dunno.

The first guy had a second one come in to take a look. He said, "your only option might be implants."

Now. Implants take the better part of a YEAR to be finished, and they cost around $2000 apiece. I need 8 of them, 4 top and 4 bottom. 16 grand is roughly what I paid for my CAR. I make $13 an hour. I don't know where they think I am getting 16 grand. My mom and 2 of my sisters started this whole thing by offering to pay for some of the work, but while all of them have bucks, I don't think THEY"RE going to pony up 16 grand either.

In the meantime, I am so self-conscious about my teeth I can't stand it. It's doing a number on my already-horrible self esteem. I don't know why it has to be so hard to fix. The prosthodontist took some impressions and is supposed to call me sometime this week with what he can possibly do next. He told me I "might just have to live with it."

Sigh.

I feel your pain, hun.

Candy

[dottie]

yes-it's a ridiculous program called "spendown"My ?? is spendown what?? I am tettering right above the poverty level. I should be getting a better apt. soon. I will have to pay 1/3 of my pensions per month. LOLThen make a car payment? As my Toyota Carolla has 156,000.00 mi on it. Awww...the Govt. Run by over- educated fools.

Chortle!

[dottie]

ain't it just grand? The dentists I have been to were nincompoops. I wanted to kick them in their kiesters!

[wi_fighter]

I just re-realized something. While the crowns I have on my top teeth are outdated and not as aesthetically pleasing at they could be......They've lasted 27 years. As opposed to one that popped off because the dentist cemented it backwards, or the one that popped off and I swallowed it, or the one that cracked....etc. etc. etc.

Do they now make crowns intending them to be disposable and need replacing every few years as opposed to 10 years or more?

I'll have to look into prosthodontists.

[dottie]

In my opinion-yes! Sad.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[lenjan]

My mouth is such a disaster that I see the FACULTY at the dental school --- ordinarily they give you to students so the students can get the experience (while being supervised, of course), but most of the professors have one or two days a week where they work on people themselves, just to keep up their skills, I guess. I'm hesitant to look for a second opinion, because if dentists who teach dentistry say something can't be done, it seems likely that it can't be done. I don't know why anybody else would tell me anything different. Good luck though, Wi. Let me know what you come up with.

Candy