| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 9:10:10 PM
My husband just returned from the dentist where he was told that he was going to need about $27,000 in dental work. Ugh. We definitly don't have that much money, even though we both carry dental insurance- it caps at $2,000 leaving us more that 10x short the amount needed. It will be just $10,000 to get his front four teeth repaired, and then he needs extractions and implants or somthing for 2-6 molars. We are a bit in shock. Him more than me. I knew his teeth were really bad and have been begging him to go to a dentist for years. Now it is almost insurmountable. We have been trying to get out of debt and are this close to buying a house next year. Now we aren't sure what is going to happen. I would greatly appreciate any prayers and positive thoughts.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Farmer Judy |
Posted - May 25 2012 : 9:54:22 PM
I was told years ago that so many of my teeth need crowns and I should cap the front ones. Unfortunately I am unemployed right now and am on the state insurance. Suprise! They paid the whole bill for the 8 crowns I needed and the one tooth that needed to be extracted. My suggestion to you is to ask as your church if they know of a dentist that may be able to help, maybe he can do it for cost since you are from the same church or he may help you find your way around the university programs.
God bless,
Judy
Farmgirl #3666
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
| Luzy |
Posted - May 15 2012 : 2:23:22 PM
Hi Alee, Sorry you guys are going through this. All at once my teeth are going crazee too! I just had one pulled 2 weeks ago and now another one has broken and will need to be pulled. My dentist said I needed 5K worth of work done! GULP!! He suggested I get "Care Credit", a credit card that is good for all sorts of stuff, even the vet! So, I'll get a couple of procedures done, pay that off and do some more. This will take more time, but at least I'm not racking up a huge bill!
Hope this helps, Sweetie! I'm thinking about ya!
Love and hugs, Lu
--
May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.
http://luzy.etsy.com- My etsy store! |
| AnnieinHenderson |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 07:03:34 AM
Hi Alee,
Try calling your Public Health and Services Dept in Billings to see if they offer any assistance or know of a dentist who helps in extreme cases. (I think that is where you live)if not whatever city you are in. Many DDS volunteer their time and work in extreme cases. I only think of it, because I had an acquaintance whose first few years as a dentist was working on patients through a program in the county. They may be able to direct you to someone. If it were me I would go with dentures. Implants etc need a healthy jaw bone. Crowns and bridges take away most of the other teeth material in order to anchor them and last maybe 15 years at best, so they would have to be replaced eventually again. If any gum disorders they will have to be treated also. There are new types of dentures now. Good luck. I will try to see if I can contact my old acquaintance to learn of the program she was participating in when she was in Virginia. Your area may have a similar option. I'll post if I find more info.
Best to you and your husband.
Annie |
| soapmommy60543 |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 05:43:56 AM
Alee - will certainly be praying for you in this situation.
Let me share the value of a second opinion with you. About 5 years ago, I had a dentist tell me all my fillings needed to be replaced because they were over 10 years old. Because they are "2nd time around" fillings, and because they are big and deep in the back, he insisted they need to be crowned. While he was doing the crown, I had a panic attack in the chair. It's a long story, but he referred me to a dentist who does sedated dentistry. Guess what that dentist told me? The problem I had with my ONE filling was just a small chip in the corner of the molar. He filed it down for free. Five years later, I have a new dentist (guess who!), and no new crowns or fillings. Oh, and by the way, Dentist #1 put the crown on the wrong tooth. Yeah.
This is the same dentist who decided my son needed 6 fillings as soon as we had dental insurance, even though 6 months earlier his teeth were perfect.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get a second opinion, and I'm with the other girls - get thee to a dental school! For the kind of money you are looking at, it would be worth the drive if there isn't one in Billings.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 teenagers, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker), Twitter (@sphomemaker), and Pinterest (Suburban Prairie Homemaker)
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| Alee |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 05:31:36 AM
Deb- I like that idea but I don't know any of the local dentist that well. We can always ask-but I have a feeling they will turn us down. And no- Doug is spectacularly unhandy. If anything gets fixed around the house it's because I did it! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| City Chick |
Posted - May 03 2012 : 04:05:55 AM
Is there anyway the dentist would so a barter type thing? Is your husband handy? Perhaps he could do odd jobs around the dentist office. My husband does this for our dentist (who is a friend of ours) It has really helped out with our out of pocket dental bills.
Doesn't hurt to ask.
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My new blog - http://citychickadventures.blogspot.com/ Come visit me!
Farm Girl #790
http://pinterest.com/debbie_s/
https://twitter.com/EllieFunt
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| Bear5 |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 10:47:50 PM
I'm glad you'll keep us posted. I'm concerned, the most, about Doug's feelings. My hubby recently went through something like that. The amount wasn't that high, it was over $10 thousand. He was so upset. But to see his smile now, it was all worth it. Prayers will continue.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| ruthie218 |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 7:22:13 PM
Alee
Im praying for you guys.
Ruthie Ann
http://simpleindianagirl.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl sister#4072 |
| Alee |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 7:07:40 PM
Thanks ladies! Doug is pretty depressed- who wouldn't be? But I let him know that his teeth are a priority and I won't let him go without getting everything fixed and I think that meant alot to him. He's a pretty stoic sort so sometimes you can't tell what's going on inside which is funny because he is actually super sensitive. I'll let you know what the second dentist says.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| ptroupe |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 5:54:12 PM
Prayers being sent your way. I would surely get more opinions.
Portia
Wishing for the country life! |
| Bear5 |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 2:32:25 PM
Alee: How is Doug doing through all of this? Please, let him know that I am praying for him.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| CanyonArtist |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 09:55:46 AM
Dear Alee:
Have your husband talk personally to your dentist to see if he can reduce the cost of certain procedures. Our dentist was able to minimize some of the costs, especially when he knew we had insurance. Your dentist will then let the accounts payable person at his office know. Remember to take all this is itty-bitty steps, no problem is insurmountable if taken one step at a time. I will be saying my prayers for your situation. Heather |
| Alee |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 09:53:24 AM
That's a good idea, Kathy! I will make sure that the crowns in the back are the gold or silver alloys. That could shave off several thousand. Thanks! :)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| nut4fabric |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 07:47:44 AM
Alee another thought here.....I just had a root canal and crown on a molar and the dentist wanted to do a porcelin (white) crown on it at a very high price, I insisted on gold as it holds up better (a lifetime) on a back tooth, the price on a gold crown was HALF that of the porcelin. Saved about $600.00.
Kathy |
| nut4fabric |
Posted - May 02 2012 : 07:41:31 AM
Alee Please don't let him think of dentures at his age. After teeth are extracted the bone will slowly be absorbed and later in life there won't be any left to hold the denture in place, this happens expecially on the lower jaw. I saw this many many times while working in the dental field. Dentures should be a last resort. Sorry he's going through this but at least he's doing it.
Kathy |
