Dental treatment

[NameRedacted]

Well I started to read the other thread about the AHCA and was planning to reply but sadly it's been closed - so I'll keep my opinions to myself on that.

In the meantime, last week was time for my first semi-annual dental check-up since ER'ing. I don't have dental insurance - all the plans I looked at seemed pretty expensive and really only seemed worthwhile if I need really major treatment and even then it's not great. So I decided to go bareback, as it where.

I checked last year and for a check-up and cleaning the dentist charged insurance $125. The insurance company only paid $78. I called the dentist to see if I could get that same rate. Well what a pleasant surprise!

When I called he answered the phone himself and through the miracle of called id said "Hello [NameRedacted]. Are you calling to set up an appointment?". I explained that I didn't have any insurance and before I could even ask for a reduced rate he said "For you - $50", which I thought was pretty decent of him.

I've been with this guy for 9 years and now I plan on being with him till he retires.

 

[Bamaman]

My dentist retired last year, and he found a young lady dentist to take over his practice. We assume the original dentist personally financed the sale as most dentists are already burdened with excessive student loans.

The new dentist has purchased a new electronic x-ray system and all new computers--getting into the modern world. With these purchases has also come higher charges--much higher. She tells me you wouldn't believe their expense ratios--much higher than most patients would realize. She would never begin to give back any freebies to patients because she cannot afford to.

On another subject, I am prepped for a single dental implant. The dental surgeon charges about $2200 plus $850 for the cost of an abatement plus I'd have to spend another $850 to have a regular dentist do a crown. I find such charges excessive

We just returned from Budapest, and an implant is 1/3 that of the cost of an implant in the U.S. They have over 200 dental clinics working on hundreds and hundreds of U.K. citizens who fly in on EasyJet.com.

It makes you wonder if those living close to the southern U.S. border could find much more reasonable dental implants. They take two visits 6 mos. apart.

 

[zinger1457]

On another subject, I am prepped for a single dental implant. The dental surgeon charges about $2200 plus $850 for the cost of an abatement plus I'd have to spend another $850 to have a regular dentist do a crown. I find such charges excessive

We just returned from Budapest, and an implant is 1/3 that of the cost of an implant in the U.S. They have over 200 dental clinics working on hundreds and hundreds of U.K. citizens who fly in on EasyJet.com.

It makes you wonder if those living close to the southern U.S. border could find much more reasonable dental implants. They take two visits 6 mos. apart.

I have gone across the AZ/Mexico border several times for dental treatment, it's easy for me since it's only 25 miles away. My dentist on the other side quoted $1350 for a dental implant, that was for everything including the crown.

 

[NameRedacted]

Yep cost is no guarantee of quality when it comes to dental treatment. It's always good to get a second opinion.

For example, some real horror stories in the reviews here:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/dentists/dds_oh_aspen_dental.html

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

the worse tooth i have is my 4400 implant, i live with dental floss in my pocket now. I have dental insurance from my former employer . it amounts to free cleanings, everything else has a huge surcharge. For full disclosure, it was that way toward the end with active participants too. The dental insurance got watered down to nothing.

 

[Bryan Barnfellow]

I've been with this guy for 9 years and now I plan on being with him till he retires.

Let's just hope he doesn't end up posting on this forum about how he is sick of looking into people's mouths and he is just coasting now and doing the minimum level of effort possible at the office until glorious early retirement!

 

[athena53]

My dentist applies a "friends and family discount" but I think it started showing up after I retired. (I'd been with him for years and we originally met because he was a member of my church.) I also chose not to buy dental insurance because the coverage is so skimpy.

I've had all my implants done in the US and they ran about $5K each in a LCOL area. I'm nowhere near Mexico and I assume it would take multiple trips? (One to place the implant, one for the healing cap on the implant, one to place the prosthetic tooth, each visit 2 months after the last)? I'm suspicious of places that would propose to do it all in one trip.

Yes, dental equipment must be crazy expensive. I wonder if your new dentist really needed all the upgrades. Mine still doesn't have a panoramic X-ray machine although the oral surgeon who does the implants has one that will do a 3-D scan of your jaw and then show rotated versions up on a big screen. It allowed him to determine that there was enough bone mass to support the implants we were planning to do.

 

[broadway]

My dentist won't even give me the insurance rate now that I don't have insurance.

 

[Bamaman]

church.). . . . . . . . I also chose not to buy dental insurance because the coverage is so skimpy.

I'm nowhere near Mexico and I assume it would take multiple trips? (One to place the implant, one for the healing cap on the implant, one to place the prosthetic tooth, each visit 2 months after the last)? I'm suspicious of places that would propose to do it all in one trip.

Yes, dental equipment must be crazy expensive. I wonder if your new dentist really needed all the upgrades. Mine still doesn't have a panoramic X-ray machine although the oral surgeon who does the implants has one that will do a 3-D scan of your jaw and then show rotated versions up on a big screen. It allowed him to determine that there was enough bone mass to support the implants we were planning to do.

You're right about dental insurance now being watered down. We have BCBS real insurance for my family. What really scares me are root canals and crowns. Our local root canal specialist charges $850--cash or charge cards only.

Implants do take numerous trips. I had a graft and removal of a broken tooth ($850). Six months later, I'm ready for the implant--$2200. Six months later, they implant the abatement ($850) and then have to go to a regular dentist for a crown ($850.) And to think many people need numerous implants to attach bridges or dentures to. Little is covered by insurance companies, either.

The panoramic x-rays are just another profit department for a dentist. Sure, they don't need it--and they usually do one every 3-4 years. Now they can read the panoramic x-ray so fast, look for them to hit you up for one every year or so--$99. It's bad enough to have to pay $125 every 6 months for cleanings and a 1 minute look at your teeth by the dentist.

There are dental clinics south of El Paso, and they charge about $1250 for implants plus an abatement. Airfare's $400 round trip, and it would require at least one night's hotel. Still, it beats $3900 it's going to cost me to finish my treatment locally.

 

[Dawg52]

My dentist won't even give me the insurance rate now that I don't have insurance.

Same here. I can't find deals of any kind around here. I've started going every 9 months instead of the typical 6 month cleaning.

 

[Fedup]

Mine charges $180 for the year without insurance. That includes 2 cleaning per year with x-rays. Discount will be apply if there is a problem. My oldest kid pays this amount every year because it's not worth to get dental insurance. If she has problem she will get a good dental plan for a year. Right now it's not worth it for the premium.

 

[NameRedacted]

My dentist won't even give me the insurance rate now that I don't have insurance.

Wow, my plan was to suggest how much easier it would be for him not to have to deal with the insurance company but I never even needed to do that.

Maybe you could do the same and offer to pay for the cleaning in cash? I fail to see how that can't be better for him/her than haggling with an insurance company.

 

[Beldar]

Wow, my plan was to suggest how much easier it would be for him not to have to deal with the insurance company but I never even needed to do that.

Maybe you could do the same and offer to pay for the cleaning in cash? I fail to see how that can't be better for him/her than haggling with an insurance company.

I tried that with our dentist when we dropped the insurance...no deal/discount. And they always balanced billed when I had insurance. It's a small one man office but we like him.

I guess some business models are just like that.

_B

 

[ivinsfan]

Our dentist of 40 years did not retire he "sold" his practice to another dentist and works there 2 days a week.

I should have been in right around the first year, but just couldn't decide if I wanted to go there or somewhere else, most of my friends and family went to the same dentist as I did so I've been asking them about price and service with the new guy.

Last week I'm driving thru our small town and see the footings for a pretty good sized building going up next to our Taco Bell. you guessed it the sign said.."future home of your possible new dentist". Now I really think I want to find a different dentist

 

[aja8888]

It's a shame as dentists are starting to operate like veterinarians, or is it the other way around?

And our lawn service guys are charging as much as auto mechanics (by the hour). - $100+

What's a guy on a fixed income to do?

 

[NameRedacted]

It's a shame as dentists are starting to operate like veterinarians, or is it the other way around?

And our lawn service guys are charging as much as auto mechanics (by the hour). - $100+

What's a guy on a fixed income to do?

Service your own lawn?

 

[aja8888]

Service your own lawn?

Done, but I don't do my own dental work yet! (I do my own auto maintenance though).

 

[athena53]

Same here. I can't find deals of any kind around here. I've started going every 9 months instead of the typical 6 month cleaning.

I have to go 4x/year because of my implants. I consider it cheap prevention.

 

[NameRedacted]

Done, but I don't do my own dental work yet! (I do my own auto maintenance though).

It shouldn't be that hard. A mirror, a chisel, some putty and a bottle of aspirin should suffice.

 

[RobbieB]

My guy knows I'm retired and no longer have insurance so he gives me a 10% discount.

 

[Dawg52]

I have to go 4x/year because of my implants. I consider it cheap prevention.

I've got 2 implants and nothing was ever said to me about needing more visits because of them. What is being done that requires the additional visits? My implants are due to the teeth being broken below the gum line. Hard nuts the culprit.

 

[athena53]

I've got 2 implants and nothing was ever said to me about needing more visits because of them. What is being done that requires the additional visits? My implants are due to the teeth being broken below the gum line. Hard nuts the culprit.

Interesting. I just have professional cleaning 4X/year. I do tend to gather plaque despite the use of a Sonicare, a Waterpik and a prescription toothpaste. It cost me an extra $200 or so per year (for 2 visits) so I just do it.

 

[Walt34]

Yes, dental equipment must be crazy expensive.

It is, and heavily marked up. I remember my old dentist before we moved telling me about a thick piece of glass he used to mix amalgrams. At the dental supply place it was ~$100. He found an almost identical item at Home Depot for $10.

I hate to think of what they get ripped off for for something like an x-ray machine.

 

[CardsFan]

It's a shame as dentists are starting to operate like veterinarians, or is it the other way around?

Ironically, I just picked up the dog from the vet. Cleaning, drugs, 5 extractions, antibiotics: $195. Not a bargain, but reasonable, I think.

 

[aja8888]

Ironically, I just picked up the dog from the vet. Cleaning, drugs, 5 extractions, antibiotics: $195. Not a bargain, but reasonable, I think.

That's a bargain around here. Daughter's old cat had one extraction and cleaning last year and it was $300+.