Tags: arestin, deep, dental, dentist, drugs, feel, health, medications, pockets, ripped, teeth, time, wrong

Feel like Im getting ripped off!

On Health & Drugs & Medications » Dental

5,973 words with 5 Comments; publish: Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:24:00 GMT; (90062.50, « »)

Every time I go to my dentist there's something wrong with my teeth. Either I have pockets around my teeth and need Arestin, or I need a deep cleaning, a new crown. Always something that requires more money out of my pocket because insurance only covers so much.

Today I went in for a cleaning and they recommended 3 Arestin treatments .dental.itags.org. $45 each, a new crown .dental.itags.org. $280, and a small cavity .dental.itags.org. $80. I also may need a root canal for the tooth with the crown. I don't have any pain so I don't understand this. These prices are with insurance included. Without insurance it would be about twice as much.

I feel like when I come in they see dollar signs because I usually do what they recommend and pay on the spot. Right now money is tight for me so I'm having second thoughts.

I'm 36 years old and in good health. I floss every day and brush 2x a day and still I have these gum problems. I also smoke a pack a day so that probably has a lot to do with my gum problems.

I don't know whether to go through with their recommendations or not. Do you think they are being honest or recommending things I may not need to get more money out of me?

Any thoughts out there?

Thanks.

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  • 5 Comments
    • Get a second opinion or take all your records to some other dentist to look at.
      #1; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:29:00 GMT
    • Hi there, I can feel for you, as I am going through a lot of dental work myself right now.

      I would get a second opinion, just to reassure myself. But smoking is REALLY bad for your gums, if you could quit - it would probably improve your gum health immensely. Also try taking some Coenzyme Q10 for a while and see if that helps. I have read that some people have good success with it, some it doesn't seem to make a difference. I started taking it a little while ago myself, so don't know yet.

      Good luck!

      #2; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:30:00 GMT
    • Ask as many of your co-workers, neighbors and relatives who they go to for their teeth. Then ask if the doctor is always finding ways to make money or do they mainly go just for the six month teeth cleaning.

      Dentistery is a business. I had recently moved and a friend recommended her dentist to me. He said that my two front capped teeth were rotting underneath. The cost was about $700 to replace them. That if I did not have them replaced I would have to have new ones anchored to my bone. I asked to see the xrays and I saw nothing that looked like what he was talking about. So I braved it for six months and went to another dentist. He gave me a clean bill of health. I asked how my two front caps were doing and he said excellent. I still have these caps and it has been 15 years. I told my friend what happened and she realized that every time she goes to the dentist she recommended he is always finding something wrong too.

      Ten years later we moved and it was my oldest daughter's time for a teeth cleaning. Our dental insurance had a list of dentist's and I went to one close to our new home. He said he found three cavities. I found this suspicious since she has never had a cavity and was 14. I asked to see the cavities and there was just cement markings from where her braces had been taken off. Once again I braved it for six months and found a new dentist who said her teeth were cavity free. She is now 21 and still cavity free.

      It is just like a good honest mechanic, you have to ask around until you find one.

      #3; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:31:00 GMT
    • They say that if you ask 10 dentist about their opinions you will end up with 10 different opinions.

      For example:

      usually with braces there is an increase risk of cavaties which usually begin around the brackets. This decay starts out as a white chalky color around the area of the brackets (the chalky color signals demineralization)-The cement should not cause discoloration.

      One dentist may try and remineralize the incipient decay, another may just leave it alone and watch for any changes and a third may want to fill it.

      Also smoking does have a lot to do with it-there is a link between smoking and periodontal disease. Did your dentist tell you why you need the treatments? If you are questioning your doctor you should get a second opinion.

      #4; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:32:00 GMT
    • I totally know what you are going through! My family has a history of bad teeth. My dad got dentures when he was 20 years old and my mom is getting dentures now at 45.

      We have been going to this dentist for at least 20+ years. He used to be great. Then a few years back he began recommending all these procedures for myself and two of my brothers. My family is poor so we don't have a lot of money to spend on our teeth, ya know?

      Anyways, I went in to get two crowns on my front two teeth. I know that needed to be done because my teeth were chipped, from an accident. I also had a tooth right next to the front tooth that was fang shaped. My dentist suggested fixing that one to. I said, well get a pre-estimate from the insurance to see how much it would end up costing me. He told me that they would pay about half of what he was charging me, which was 3300. I was like, okay that's a lot of money but I want to save my teeth.

      He hasn't finished the work b/c the next time I went back he said that the two of the teeth have broken off so there is not much to hold them in place. (This was 2 years ago). He suggested implants, which alone are 3500. Then he told me that to crown these teeth it will be 3000. I was like, you haven't finished these yet. He then says well we can do this fourth tooth to look symetrical. When asked the cost he told me 7000! Outrageous!

      I decided to go to another dentist to see whta he said. He said he will put on the four crowns for 2300! And he used to be partners with the other dentist, so I know he is good. Plus he knows the family finanical situation, so he is trying to help us all out while keeping our budget in mind!

      Sorry to go on. It is just frustrating!

      #5; Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:33:00 GMT