topic Re: Dental Surgery Questions in Wellness

Dental Surgery Questions

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:48:42 GMT

I am not sure what kind of dentist I need. It's been decades since I went because I can't afford it.

I have someone that has offered to pay the dental bill.

I had a tooth break off 5 years ago but part of it is still in my gums. That side of my mouth has hurt for years. I did go to one dentist when it happened and had free x-rays. The estimate was 4500.00!

How do I find a reasonable dentist and do I need a specialist? A bridge, crown and implant was mentioned since it is the tooth next to my front teeth. I also need that tooth pulled that broke off. I'm not sure I need all that.

Also my mouth has shrunk and my bottom teeth are squished together now, I don't know whether I should have some pulled to leave alone.

I also want an office that wears masks and has been vaccinated! Some offices don't.

I don't want to get covid or the flu after being careful all these years plus I am older.

I am thrilled I have someone to pay for it but scared to go!

Any ideas?

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

Luvsmyfam — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:38:49 GMT

@luvmyteddy4 matter of fact I have the same dental issue.i am having a tooth pulled jan 20.i am going to be put out,so my bill will be over 1000.00

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:42:45 GMT

@Luvsmyfam wrote:
@luvmyteddy4 matter of fact I have the same dental issue.i am having a tooth pulled jan 20.i am going to be put out,so my bill will be over 1000.00

Do you have any idea what is going to happen after your tooth is pulled?

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

Luvsmyfam — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:48:24 GMT

@luvmyteddy4 after tooth is pulled(mine is back upper)you will have a big gapping hole.will feel weird at first,but you will get used to it

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

SilleeMee — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:49:26 GMT

Whenever a tooth is pulled, the hole left behind should be bone grafted so that the jaw bone won't lose bone mass. Tooth loss causes bone loss and can effect the teeth adjacent to the extracted teeth and that means more teeth can become loose. Tooth extraction involves more than just pulling a tooth out.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

missy mouse — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:49:41 GMT

I was a dental hygienist for 40 years. Retired 2years ago. You probably need to have the remaining roots removed. If you are going to do an implant go to a periodontist. They will extract and prepare for implant. However, since you haven't been to the dentist in years an implant may not be possible. The bone may not be healthy. If so your other option is a bridge. Again everything depends on the condition of your gums and integrity of the bone. You could also pull the remaining tooth and leave it. Yes you do need specialists to extract and implant. A general dentist can do a bridge but never go to a general dentist to do an implant. It's exacting work and if screw isn't placed correctly the crown will no fit. Your general dentist can do the implant crown. I would start out finding a good general dentist and they can refer a specialist. Good luck. By the way if you do the implant it's more waiting than work. After they pull the tooth you have to wait for the site to heal. Then they place the screw with a healing cap and wait another 3months for that to heal. Then the crown. Approximately 8 months. I would also suggest you must take care of your mouth or the implant will fail. It is always cheaper to have 2 cleanings a year then to have to go through this.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

missy mouse — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:51:29 GMT

All dental offices wear masks. Did before Covid. It's not you at risk it's the dental staff at risk because you can't wear a mask when work is being done. When you call for an appointment ask!!!

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

KailaS — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:56:42 GMT

Sorry you are in pain, but how wonderful that you now can get the problem repaired. I broke two teeth when I fell earlier this year. The break was not from my hitting the cement when I fell but rather from when ( we think) I clenched my teeth as I fell flat in a parking lot.

Anyway, my dentist had just retired, so I had an appointment with s new dentist. What a difference in procedures since I last had a dental problem with my former, older dentist . My two damaged teeth were removed, a mold was made for each area where my teeth were, and my mouth was prepared for a crown in each location (the teeth were not next to one another but on the same side) and given a temporary crown to fill in the spaces. Two weeks later, I went back, had two permanent crowns cemented in, and all has been well for six months. My cost was $3510.

Good luck to you. If you need an implant, etc. then I am unsure what your procedure will be, but you may need much more than I had. My dentist and stafff have all been wearing masks under face shields, so I think you will be fine in that area. Let us know how it goes for you.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:52:15 GMT

@Luvsmyfam wrote:
@luvmyteddy4 after tooth is pulled(mine is back upper)you will have a big gapping hole.will feel weird at first,but you will get used to it
I mean are you going to have something else done? I have to have something since this gap I have now shows when I smile. I need a replacement of some sort. Otherwise I would leave it. Just because one dentist told me what I need I want to make sure I need all that done esp for 4500.00. I think there is a stem now like an implant.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

missy mouse — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:53:30 GMT

The general dentist can also make a temporary appliance to wear while you are waiting for final crown or bridge.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:12:14 GMT

@missy mouse wrote:
I was a dental hygienist for 40 years. Retired 2years ago. You probably need to have the remaining roots removed. If you are going to do an implant go to a periodontist. They will extract and prepare for implant. However, since you haven't been to the dentist in years an implant may not be possible. The bone may not be healthy. If so your other option is a bridge. Again everything depends on the condition of your gums and integrity of the bone. You could also pull the remaining tooth and leave it. Yes you do need specialists to extract and implant. A general dentist can do a bridge but never go to a general dentist to do an implant. It's exacting work and if screw isn't placed correctly the crown will no fit. Your general dentist can do the implant crown. I would start out finding a good general dentist and they can refer a specialist. Good luck. By the way if you do the implant it's more waiting than work. After they pull the tooth you have to wait for the site to heal. Then they place the screw with a healing cap and wait another 3months for that to heal. Then the crown. Approximately 8 months. I would also suggest you must take care of your mouth or the implant will fail. It is always cheaper to have 2 cleanings a year then to have to go through this.
This is pretty much what the first dentist said, I would need a crown, bridge and implant. My gums have hurt next to the tooth that needs to be pulled so I'm not sure I will have any teeth left after this. One is a crown and 2 other teeth. He mentioned having a bridge to my front teeth. This all sounds like so much has to happen and I am scared to go anyway.
I think it is possible to have some sharp edges shaved down since my incisors on the bottom are sharp and cutting into my gums esp when I eat? I keep biting my lip when I eat.
Do you think I can find a dentist who will do all this and let me pay at the end since someone else is paying and I'm sure he will want to see the estimate first and I may need more than the one dentist like you said? I think some will want some money maybe halfway?

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

JeanLouiseFinch — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:29:55 GMT

I'm in the implant process right now for what could be the same tooth as you mentioned. Mine is No. 7, the tooth on the right side of the big center front tooth. I had already had a crown on it, but it decayed underneath and the tooth couldn't be saved, so two big expenditures on the same tooth in under ten years. Yes, this time it's slightly over $4500. We have some dental coverage so it will help a little. My extraction required a little cutting and digging because I had root canal prior and those kind of remaining teeth and roots get brittle and break over time so it's more than just pulling the tooth. I'm wearing an appliance called a flipper, to fill the gap, but it's an additional cost not covered by insurance ($700). The flipper is removable for when you're eating or sleeping. At my extraction appointment last week, the dentist filled the hole with bone grafting material and stitched me up. I've been on some meds (antibiotic, prednisone dose pack, an opioid pain killer for the first couple of days, and an oral antibiotic rinse that I'm still using 3x daily). I go Monday to get the stitches removed but some have already loosened on their own (not uncommon). Then I'll wait several months for the bone graft the fill in and harden. An implant is a long process whereas a crown can be completed within a few weeks. This kind of gives you an idea of what to expect.

You won't know exactly what you need until the dentist takes new X-rays and examines you. Ask people you know (neighbors, friends, church members, etc.) for a recommendation (or warning) of who to see, or who to avoid, in your area.

It's quite a blessing that someone is generously covering the expense for you.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

drizzellla — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:31:32 GMT

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

SilleeMee — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:41:49 GMT

I saved a bunch of money on some of my dental procedures when I went to have them done at a dental institute. That's where existing licensed practicing dentists and dental surgeons come to perfect their techniques. I would check to see if there is such a place where you live or close to where you are. I saved a significant amount of money by going to one. They accept insurance, both medical and dental.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

drizzellla — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 14:46:19 GMT

@luvmyteddy4 wrote:

Do you think I can find a dentist who will do all this and let me pay at the end since someone else is paying and I'm sure he will want to see the estimate first and I may need more than the one dentist like you said? I think some will want some money maybe halfway?

I am just speaking from my experience. I have had 2 implants. The Dentist who handled my implants had a woman who only handled payments for dental work done in the office. All he did was implants.

Since implants are not always covered by insurance, they made sure before the implant was done that you had paid in full. My dental isurance did not cover implants so cash was expected. Half the bill was paid when you went in the first time for the evaluation and the other half was paid when the actual implant was done.

It worked well for him. He had a big 3 story house torn down and a modern state of the art building built in it's place. It is now a complex of about 6 Dentists that only do implants.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

Janey2 — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:28:51 GMT

The first thing you need is a regular dentist to evaluate what you have to have done to your mouth. Maybe a friend or relative can recommend who they use and like. Another person to ask might be a doctor you use and might tell you who to see. As far as the dentist wearing a mask the dentists where I go have been wearing masks even before covid. They are not required to tell you if they had the covid shots so that might be a problem for you. Good Luck

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

Icegoddess — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:52:29 GMT

Don't have any teeth pulled you don't need to. I would think the broken tooth may need to be extracted, but maybe a crown would work depending on how it's broken and the shape of the remaining tooth. Anytime you remove teeth you start having bone loss. That's the reason people with dentures often complain that they don't fit properly. They fit correctly when they were made, but as you lose bone, the area shrinks and then the dentures no longer fit.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

patbz — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:58:03 GMT

@luvmyteddy4 : DH has had $40,000 in dental work done over last 12 years ( involving general dentists as well as specialists). The best dentistry is expensive and none of it was covered by insurance! What made it bareable financially was Care Credit ( pay bills over $500 interest free over 1-2 years ( depending on the amount). Yes, dentists want to be paid upfront for each phase of treatment.

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

justashopper — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:05:25 GMT

Hi @luvmyteddy4

I am so sorry for all you are going through. Over the past couple years I needed two root canals and crowns. There was a long wait for treatment because of demand for work in my area. My guess is, the pandemic caused a lot of people to neglect cleanings and treatment. I was in pain and had to just manage it until I could be seen.

Anyhow- about two weeks ago, I took my dad to have a broken tooth extracted. We went to an oral surgeon that was recommended by my dad's dentist. We waited over a month for his appointment (again, high demand) but the day of, it only took 45 minutes for the procedure and cost under $200. We were shocked.

After the extraction, he went back to his regular dentist to discuss options and is getting a bridge in the coming weeks. I think he still has a long wait.

So I think the best thing you can do is-- find a dentist. Google dentist near you and start calling around. Ask about availability and payment plans. Don't call one of those big "Delta Dental" offices or other national offices. I think they tend to be more expensive and will tack on tons of additional work. When in reality you want to get rid of the pain, not have a brand new perfect mouth. It's ok to be honest about that.

The dentist can tell you what they recommend based on what you are willing to do. They will also tell you what kind of specialist you need. It's hard to say what you actually need because it is specialized to you.

Good luck!

Re: Dental Surgery Questions

Iwantcoffee — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:07:43 GMT

I went to a Periodontist for a dental implant. When I had a wisdom tooth pulled it was done by a oral surgeon, an endontist does root cananls, and my regular dentist does crowns. Never had a bridge hopefully I will miss out on that one. LOL