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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,170
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,170 |
I need some serious dental work, 3-4 implants. I am checking a dental college and while they claim to be less expensive than outside dentistry they are still 2-3k each depending on each procedure. My insurance is pretty useless with a $1500 combined benefit. So my question is, what did you pay for it and how did insurance handle it? I really don't want to do a cut rate implant specialist.
Thanks.
Fight fire, save lives, laugh in the face of danger.
Stupid always finds a way.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,812
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,812 |
Have them and they were expensive, but it was needed. Insurance at the time considered it to be cosmetic so they didn't pay anything. With time repairs were needed and then insurance covered around 70%.
Lot of health issues can be related to bad teeth and gums allowing bacteria into the blood stream. Yes they are expensive, but a wise long term investment in your health.
In Pa at the time they didn't approach 2-3 thousand per tooth. Not sure what it is today.
Last edited by battue; 08/27/13.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
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Most dental insurance won't cover it. I had 1 done last spring with about $2500 out of my pocket.
I'd had a root canal on that tooth so the growing in stage took twice as long as a living tooth would take. On rare occasions, it won't grow in at all and the money is out the window. That's a chance you have to take. It's worth it, though. An implant is far better than a bridge, more permanent and much easier on the surrounding teeth.
Don't go cheap. It's a one time thing if done right so get it done right this time.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β
β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,389
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2001
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Agree that going cheap is bad but shopping around is worth the effort. Wife needed one and the only place in driving distance that could/would meet her schedule cost over $4k. I needed 3 crowns and went 'outside' to see family and had them done there. The cost 'outside' vs. in AK paid for my trip.
I'm not cheap, I'm frugal. ![[Linked Image]](http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member501.png)
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,170
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,170 |
Agree that going cheap is bad but shopping around is worth the effort. Wife needed one and the only place in driving distance that could/would meet her schedule cost over $4k. I needed 3 crowns and went 'outside' to see family and had them done there. The cost 'outside' vs. in AK paid for my trip. Outside? I saw some cost breakdowns worldwide and was impressed. But if traveling is a break even issue, I'll stay home.
Fight fire, save lives, laugh in the face of danger.
Stupid always finds a way.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 148
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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About 10 years ago a coworker of mine had to have 5 implants, he got some kind of government grant, if I remember right he said 1 year no interest, after that I think it was about like a normal credit card. He got them and paid the load back in a year and loves his teeth! I tried to search, but my work filters won't let me look at much. Good luck.
Last edited by catfish391; 08/27/13.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've got two. They were done by a local DDS who does only implants and has done only implants for 20+ years.
Most implants are done by oral surgeons, but I got a strong recommendation for this guy from my family dentist. Her office staff go to him for their implants and both the staff and my dentist have been happy with the results.
I don't recall the exact cost, but IIRC, they were about half the cost of what a local oral surgeon would have charged, and still a bit less than your dental college is quoting. My dental insurance covered part of it, fortunately.
Results have been excellent, for me.
For you, I would try asking local dentists for recommendations. The dental college thing ... eh, I don't know.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
PM me with any questions. I bet Ruraldoc can also answer any questions.
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,173 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,173 Likes: 1 |
progreso mexico. lots of people from here get their dental work done there. the dentist go to school here. its pennys on the dollar there compared to here.
God bless Texas-----------------------
Old 300
I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull
Its not how you pick the booger..
but where you put it !!
Roger V Hunter
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
For the benefit of all, let me throw out a few generalizations.
Dental implants are a wonderful thing.
30 years ago when I was starting my training, we knew implants would work, but only a handful of people in the world were playing with them. Like computers, there was a rapid rise and evolution of the products. Some worked well and others had problems to be overcome (just like Microsoft Windows, no?). Now they have become a routine and very good treatment we can offer. Before, once it was gone, it was gone. Dental implants can be the next best thing to growing your own tooth back.
They are not always a slam dunk.
As good as they are, some situations are not easy or predictable. Some anatomy is complicated, and not all bone is good bone. Smokers and diabetics have more issues. I could go on. Most of the time, we can make this all look easy, yet there are failures no matter how carefully we plan. That's the human body.
They are pricey and there is no way to really cut corners.
Nothing in dentistry has a high margin. Add to that the concept that you are replacing a lost body part. How cut rate do you really want to go? As a rule of thumb, each implant fixture is going to run $2kοΏ½. To replace a single tooth, you need to add an abutment that attaches to the implant and crown for the abutment. That's an additional $2kοΏ½. Not too many places to cut corners on that. Do the math and you'll see that replaceing each missing tooth will run about $4k at a minimum.
But wait, there's more to it
Bone is not always good bone. Upper posterior teeth usually have porous bone and then you have to negotiate the maxillary sinus which hangs down in the way. To get good bone, and hence a good foundation, it is often necessary to lift up the floor of the sinus and graft more bone. It works. It is an extra procedure. It lengthens the total time of treatment. It costs more. That's the way it is.
Must be smart and careful before you start slinging these things around
For example, the rear of the mandibule has a big ass nerve (inferior alveolar nerve) that you do not want to play with. Sometimes it is wise to have scan of the area to find 3D just where that dude lives. Saves complications and misery. Cost more cash.
I think you get the idea. Sometimes you don't want to skimp.
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,643
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 15,643 |
Dental tip of the day.
Only brush and floss the ones ya wanna keep.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
progreso mexico. lots of people from here get their dental work done there. the dentist go to school here. its pennys on the dollar there compared to here. ..and some people go to Costa Rica and even to Budapest for the same reason. It's fine when all works perfectly, but what do you do when you have a complication? Surgery is not getting your Tuck and Roll upholstery in Tijuana. For every success story about foreign care, there appears an equal number of disasters. Got a patient right now who went to Mexico about 4 years ago for about a dozen crowns. He was super proud of the fact that he saved $$$$. Trouble is, the margins aren't good and now all the cement is washing out and the open margins are deteriorating. He's got problems that will get worse. Is he going back to Mexico to get them redone? Any warranty down there? How about the idea he can get them done twice for the price of do it in the US? Seems like that's what's going to happen. Medical/dental care is one place to avoid bargain hunting.
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2008
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Yup, reminds me of all the folks who won money at a casino.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
Feel free to jump in here!
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,164 Likes: 35
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,164 Likes: 35 |
it's a good livin
I know a couple of dds docs that regularly cut themself a check for 35-40k a month.
One of em sends half of it away to some men in trenchcoats that look like the villain off The Matrix movie. Lol it's part of some Scientology crap he worships(is extorted by). Oh well, make obscene amounts of cash, gotta have your eccentricities.
on the implants? Get the Count Chocula ones, they're awesome.
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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,088 Likes: 2 |
I had one done and they got too close to the nerve. It still goes numb every once in awhile after two years. The mini's have a high rate of failure.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605 |
For the benefit of all, let me throw out a few generalizations.
Dental implants are a wonderful thing.
30 years ago when I was starting my training, we knew implants would work, but only a handful of people in the world were playing with them. Like computers, there was a rapid rise and evolution of the products. Some worked well and others had problems to be overcome (just like Microsoft Windows, no?). Now they have become a routine and very good treatment we can offer. Before, once it was gone, it was gone. Dental implants can be the next best thing to growing your own tooth back.
They are not always a slam dunk.
As good as they are, some situations are not easy or predictable. Some anatomy is complicated, and not all bone is good bone. Smokers and diabetics have more issues. I could go on. Most of the time, we can make this all look easy, yet there are failures no matter how carefully we plan. That's the human body.
They are pricey and there is no way to really cut corners.
Nothing in dentistry has a high margin. Add to that the concept that you are replacing a lost body part. How cut rate do you really want to go? As a rule of thumb, each implant fixture is going to run $2kοΏ½. To replace a single tooth, you need to add an abutment that attaches to the implant and crown for the abutment. That's an additional $2kοΏ½. Not too many places to cut corners on that. Do the math and you'll see that replaceing each missing tooth will run about $4k at a minimum.
But wait, there's more to it
Bone is not always good bone. Upper posterior teeth usually have porous bone and then you have to negotiate the maxillary sinus which hangs down in the way. To get good bone, and hence a good foundation, it is often necessary to lift up the floor of the sinus and graft more bone. It works. It is an extra procedure. It lengthens the total time of treatment. It costs more. That's the way it is.
Must be smart and careful before you start slinging these things around
For example, the rear of the mandibule has a big ass nerve (inferior alveolar nerve) that you do not want to play with. Sometimes it is wise to have scan of the area to find 3D just where that dude lives. Saves complications and misery. Cost more cash.
I think you get the idea. Sometimes you don't want to skimp. good to know....always thought in theory they were a better idea than a bridge or whatever that destroys other teeth to make a good one even if they cost more.....prolly going to need a couple at some point....ive shattered 3 molars on my left side attempting to grit my teeth through pain 
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,369 Likes: 2 |
it's a good livin
I know a couple of dds docs that regularly cut themself a check for 35-40k a month.
If true, I must be doing something very wrong, or they are and I'm doing it the right way. No Scientologists here. 
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,164 Likes: 35
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,164 Likes: 35 |
These are small town and actually one rural dds I cited. Sole proprietors mind you, not associate dds hanks. One also does a lot of "oooooohhh, ahhhhhh, that looks like it might need a crown" when it's just a filling needed. Maybe Morpheus needs to come visit you and "show you the way" drill baby drill  d
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124 |
after insurance I think they cost me around a grand (two implants)
Bad decisions make good stories.
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