Murphy's Law

[irishgal]

Three weeks post FIRE and I find I have to get a dental implant- cost out of pocket will be about 9k.
Worse, it's up front so I will be lacking a canine for about 8 months. They will make me a device that I can wear, has a phony tooth, totally cosmetic but cannot eat with it.

Which would be worse for you, the hillbilly look or the cost?


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[ronin]

My wife had the flipper right in the upper front. I called her a Hansen sister (after the movie Slapshot). I am a month away from finally getting the crown on my implant way in the back. I hope the insurance at least covers the crown. So far, it's been like pulling teeth (sorry!) to get them to cover anything, even the extraction. The cost is significant. Luckily, my dentist is a long time friend and I am getting the family discount. I hope this is the only one I need. My wife has had 2 so far. All of ours were from cracked roots. I feel your pain.

 

[Texas Proud]

It really does not matter if it were after or before FIRE.... dental insurance just does not pay that much for it...

My DW had two implants, but both were on the side...

Yes, the cost is a pain... and I know that I will be spending more as her teeth are pretty bad...

 

[Live And Learn]

Holy cow, that's alot of money! What does the average income person do??

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Holy cow, that's alot of money! What does the average income person do??

Go without the tooth. A little higher income and they might get a bridge or false tooth. Somewhere in there is having all teeth pulled and getting a full set of false teeth.

 

[hnzw_rui]

Holy cow, that's alot of money! What does the average income person do??

Nothing. Heck, even those who have relatively high income would still balk at the costs. I know my aunt was quoted $25K for the dental work required (and yes, she's already gotten 2nd and 3rd opinions). The $1,500 annual maximum that insurance will pay barely even scratches the surface.

 

[easysurfer]

Holy cow, that's alot of money! What does the average income person do??

When I had my implant done, that's what my HSA is for. Money well spent.

 

[irishgal]

Luckily I did set aside a good pad for unexpected medical costs, and while I understand medical providers are not in practice to break even it does seem high.


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[hnzw_rui]

When I had my implant done, that's what my HSA is for. Money well spent.

Alas, we have good health insurance at work so not eligible for HSA. I wish the HSA rules were relaxed a bit. Even if someone has decent medical coverage, dental usually isn't as good. Dental insurance barely pays anything. Thankfully, the FSA limit back when I had my dental work done was ~$5,000 (2011-12, iirc). HSA also makes for a good long term care self-insurance option. I would think they'd want to encourage that instead of folks having to get Medicaid.

 

[iac1003]

I'm sorry for your troubles. DH had a flipper on a lower front tooth and being frugal he did not get the more expensive flipper. He needed it adjusted several times, it fell out a lot plus he had to take it out to eat (no, he didn't pay for it's meal - bad joke, sorry). He also had a failed bone graft or two so that flipper was in his mouth for well over a year.

His next implant was much easier.

We have a 'dental sinking fund' for his dental adventures.

If you have a choice I would recommend the best flipper.


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[EastWest Gal]

My niece had some teeth that were congenitally missing. My dad planned to put his grandkids through college (he did), but he never knew he also gave one of his grandchildren a full set of teeth! My sister would never be able to afford it otherwise. Thanks, Dad.


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[bingybear]

Three weeks post FIRE and I find I have to get a dental implant- cost out of pocket will be about 9k.
Worse, it's up front so I will be lacking a canine for about 8 months. They will make me a device that I can wear, has a phony tooth, totally cosmetic but cannot eat with it.

Which would be worse for you, the hillbilly look or the cost?

hillbilly look or cost? Are you asking about the implant all together, or for the temporary for the the 8 months. If the temporary, what is the cost of it? Personally I would likely skip an expensive temporary fix if it is real pricey. I'd be more focused on getting the long term correct. But that is me.

 

[fh2000]

Three weeks post FIRE and I find I have to get a dental implant- cost out of pocket will be about 9k.
Worse, it's up front so I will be lacking a canine for about 8 months. They will make me a device that I can wear, has a phony tooth, totally cosmetic but cannot eat with it.

Which would be worse for you, the hillbilly look or the cost?


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Is that the cost for 2? I have 2 implants. It cost me total about 9K.
One of them was a front canine. I had a gap for the 9 month duration. I did not use a device to cover it. I am a man, so I did not care much.

 

[irishgal]

Is that the cost for 2? I have 2 implants. It cost me total about 9K.

One of them was a front canine. I had a gap for the 9 month duration. I did not use a device to cover it. I am a man, so I did not care much.

It's for one including the final crown.
Oddly the last one I had was back when I lived in Orange County- the oral surgeon was in Newport Beach so theoretically one might think he would have been super expensive but it was only 5k total. This guy is in St Louis where it seems like things would be less expensive because of the area.

I wish I could have a "don't care" attitude about a missing canine for 9 months!!!


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[karen1972]

I'd get a second opinion on that cost, it seems VERY high. I had one quoted to me in Chicago last year for $5300 all in. I went with a bridge again instead for $3200. Since your paying cash it is worth shopping around.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I think dental "insurance" is one of the biggest scams out there. As best as I can tell, if I signed up for the plan through my DW's employer, they would cover a couple of cleanings and an annual exam/bitewings. All this for the "oh so reasonable $15/month". Of course, if you need any significant work done, you are OUT OF LUCK. So, it's not INSURANCE at all in my opinion.


My mother has had lots of dental issues and so I am religious about my dental care...floss, floss, floss!!! So far, so good!

 

[MRG]

It does seem high. I wouldn't care about the hillbilly look people that know me would understand, ones that didn't that's their issue. A dear co-w*rker set the example for me, she had a eye removed due to cancer. She came back a week later head held high, as I recall it was two months before she could get a prosthetic eye. Made me love and respect her all the more. Unfortunately five years later the cancer returned, that sweet woman w*rked till 71 died at 72.

 

[irishgal]

I'd get a second opinion on that cost, it seems VERY high. I had one quoted to me in Chicago last year for $5300 all in. I went with a bridge again instead for $3200. Since your paying cash it is worth shopping around.

I'm going to for sure. I called my general dentist who originally referred me to the guy and told him in wanted another name.



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[irishgal]

I think dental "insurance" is one of the biggest scams out there. As best as I can tell, if I signed up for the plan through my DW's employer, they would cover a couple of cleanings and an annual exam/bitewings. All this for the "oh so reasonable $15/month". Of course, if you need any significant work done, you are OUT OF LUCK. So, it's not INSURANCE at all in my opinion.


My mother has had lots of dental issues and so I am religious about my dental care...floss, floss, floss!!! So far, so good!

I agree.
I've taken really good care of my teeth forever. When I was young, maybe 10, my dentist announced to me that while my teeth were white and straight they were "weak" and I would probably have issues later in life. He was right.


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[karen1972]

dental insurance is a scam. 1) you can sign up with the dentists often for less than what you get through your insurer. 2) they only pay for some types of things not all 3) they only then pay 80% up to a max which is usually $1000 or $2000 .. ie so who takes out insurance on a $1000 risk?? Cleanings are roughly $70 x 2=$150. If your paying $12-15 a month pp which most plans charge, all your doing is paying for the cleanings...and if I time it right, I can get a 20-25% discount at times when the dentist is slow and runs a special. When I retired I dropped the dental insurance and the vision insurance. I'll negotiate instead..and for glasses they will show me the cheaper glasses for sure My dental use to be $6/month so then I was still making out, but when they kept upping it, it became useless.

 

[Mulligan]

It's for one including the final crown.
Oddly the last one I had was back when I lived in Orange County- the oral surgeon was in Newport Beach so theoretically one might think he would have been super expensive but it was only 5k total. This guy is in St Louis where it seems like things would be less expensive because of the area.

I wish I could have a "don't care" attitude about a missing canine for 9 months!!!


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Is his office on the St. Alban's golf course or something? I agree with Karen. Check around. I had a co-worker lose a front tooth a couple years back and I could have sworn it was more in the $4k range. So Karens numbers would appear more reasonable to me.


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[Rustic23]

Friend here in Tx need dental implants. Went to Mexico. Got a full set of front uppers for a couple thousand. Going south of the border seems to be a popular thing for implants.

just googled it, don't have a clue if this is good or bad, just and example.

Prices - Rio Grande Dental

 

[clifp]

I'm going to for sure. I called my general dentist who originally referred me to the guy and told him in wanted another name.



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I spent 12K for what turned out to be two implants. It was also canine tooth but then Hawaii tends to be more expensive than the rest of the country for many things.

It turned out to be a nightmare with whole process lasting 4 years. I had a variety of temp teeth which worked out ok. My dentist is generally pretty reasonable, but the oral surgeon was expensive.

 

[Bamaman]

Have you gotten bids from other dentists? $9K is excessive--probably 2x or more than a normal price.


Another option would be to take a medical tourism trip to Budapest. You could spend 2 weeks there hitting the grunge bars and more than pay for your trip with the savings. Their dental practices are full of Englishmen flying budget airlines getting work done.


The Mexican border is also full of really good dentists--most of which do perfectly good dental work by U.S. standards. Many stay in Yuma, Arizona while getting their dental work done.

 

[irishgal]

Thanks for the responses everyone!

I am getting another opinion, I am getting the implant done for sure, need to find the right oral surgeon.

Today I got a card in the mail from the oral surgeon I saw last week- it was rather bizarre it read: "it was nice meeting you and I'm looking forward to working on your VERY HOPELESS TOOTH".

I am hoping that maybe he has an 8 year old kid who writes these cards........


Wild Irish Rogue