topic Re: Dental work for the elderly in Wellness

Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:44:19 GMT

I went to my dentist yesterday for a consult to replace a deteriorating lower bridge. I have RA and am on low dose prednisone. I am afraid of eventual infection because the bridge is separating from my gums. I have to lightly brush and floss every time I eat, no matter how little. I also use a Water Pik on its lowest speed.

Even with a dental discount plan, the cost to replace is $8,000. I am 78 years old. Is it worth it? Would you take the risk of infection and not spend the $8,000?

Re: Dental work for the elderly

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:44:05 GMT

@LilacTree

Eight grand .... yikes!

I have no personal experience with this, but, IMO, this is the perfect time to get a second opinion .... and may be a third opinion. Good luck.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:46:25 GMT

Agree with @Tinkrbl44. I'd get another opinion. Maybe there is a another option.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:47:29 GMT

@LilacTree, I'm so sorry you're having a problem with your bridge and that anyone thinks it's acceptable to charge $8000 to fix it. That seems criminal to me.

Some of these sources may be out of date as I don't know when this was published, but if you haven't already, you might want to look at some of these resources to seek information on low-cost dental care for seniors: http://www.seniorliving.org/healthcare/free-dental-care/

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:47:46 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@LilacTree

Eight grand .... yikes!

I have no personal experience with this, but, IMO, this is the perfect time to get a second opinion .... and may be a third opinion. Good luck.

Yeah. Gotcha!

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:56:31 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
@LilacTree, I'm so sorry you're having a problem with your bridge and that anyone thinks it's acceptable to charge $8000 to fix it. That seems criminal to me.

Some of these sources may be out of date as I don't know when this was published, but if you haven't already, you might want to look at some of these resources to seek information on low-cost dental care for seniors: http://www.seniorliving.org/healthcare/free-dental-care/

Thanks @ChynnaBlue

I printed this out and will work on this list today. Thanks so much!

Re: Dental work for the elderly

shaggygirl — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:58:04 GMT

That's where my recent problems all started, due to the gums receeding and bone loss (old age related) I was getting infections a couple of times a year under two permanent bridges because "stuff" gets caught up under there as those things happen. I wound up with decay under mine. Anyhow, I'm not going to get into everything I have started having done now to solve the problem, I will just say this, I believe you have said you have a compromised immune system in which case if I were you I'd go ahead and get done what your dentist thinks needs doing before you start getting the infections you mention you are concerned about from "stuff' getting caught under that bridge of yours. It can happen no matter how diligent you are with the water pik & flossing & brushing. But in the end only you can decide what is best for you. And yes, dental work costs are outrageous but that sounds extreme for one bridge.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

RedTop — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:00:06 GMT

I personally would not go with that option for that amount of money. I am 60, and would choose an upper or lower denture for less than half that amount.

I currently have no life threatening illnesses, but it would take one for me to spend $8,000 on a procedure.

For my own circumstances, I would find another option. Best wishes with making the decision that best suits your circumstances.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:08:51 GMT

@shaggygirl wrote:
That's where my recent problems all started, due to the gums receeding and bone loss (old age related) I was getting infections a couple of times a year under two permanent bridges because "stuff" gets caught up under there as those things happen. I wound up with decay under mine. Anyhow, I'm not going to get into everything I have started having done now to solve the problem, I will just say this, I believe you have said you have a compromised immune system in which case if I were you I'd go ahead and get done what your dentist thinks needs doing before you start getting the infections you mention you are concerned about from "stuff' getting caught under that bridge of yours. It can happen no matter how diligent you are with the water pik & flossing & brushing. But in the end only you can decide what is best for you. And yes, dental work costs are outrageous but that sounds extreme for one bridge.

@shaggygirl

I'm going to spend the day looking for alternatives. If I were much younger perhaps this would be worth it. But I'm not. The only line I draw is having them all pulled and then dentures on the bottom. That won't be cheap either and I don't think I could handle dentures. I watched my parents suffer all their lives from dentures (they were both in their 30s when they got them). My mother especially had chronic pain and inability to eat. I'd like to avoid that.

The bridge is a full bridge of ten teeth. There are also cavities under it, so I have to do something. We do not have good teeth in our family genetically. So I have already spent thousands over my lifetime trying to keep my mouth healthy. But at this age? Anything could happen to me with my fragile health . . .

Your posts are helping me to decide and I don't think my decision is going to be having this done. There must be a less expensive way. Thank you all.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

patbz — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:21:41 GMT

You need to address this one way or another, as your teeth will affect your health. One thing that helped DH (with 32,000 of work) was care credit card thru dentist so if it was paid in one year or 18 months was zero financing.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

151949 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:35:39 GMT

Personally, I have made a decision that I am not going to make any more huge investments in my teeth. They want a small fortune for bridges and crowns that only last a few years!! No way. I have already told my dentist I will get dentures first and he laughed and said well, I better take really good care of what is here then. IMO - modern dentistry is one of the biggest rip offs in our society.

Fortunately, I just had a checkup and all was well. My long beloved dentist who I have gone to since he first left dental school has just retired. I like the kid who bought out his practice ok - but the old dentist and I met when he was in dental school and he came to see a patient of mine in the ICU after one of the doctor's broke the guys rotted teeth trying to intubate him. That was in around 1973. I 100% trusted him.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

dancingwoman — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:09:53 GMT

I'm gonna be 65 next month...3 years ago I had a bridge replaced..it cost me $3000.00...I'd get a second opinion...DW

Sorry I didn't see it was for 10 teeth..mine was only 3..maybe thats not so bad after all...DW

Re: Dental work for the elderly

Pook — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:48:52 GMT

@LilacTree, For a bridge with 10 teeth it does not seem like a high price at all especially since you do not want dentures. I would do it soon so as not to get infections. You might look into some of the dental plans that are fairly inexpensive where you could get 40 - 50% off.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

151949 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:52:05 GMT

One of the advantages of having actual dental insurance is that they set the prices and the dentist agrees to accept those amounts when they sign on with the plan. No way would insurance pay $8000 for a bridge. I got a 4 tooth bridge a few years ago and it was $1800 - the ins.paid half and I had to pay half.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

Desertdi — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:26:00 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
I went to my dentist yesterday for a consult to replace a deteriorating lower bridge. I have RA and am on low dose prednisone. I am afraid of eventual infection because the bridge is separating from my gums. I have to lightly brush and floss every time I eat, no matter how little. I also use a Water Pik on its lowest speed.

Even with a dental discount plan, the cost to replace is $8,000. I am 78 years old. Is it worth it? Would you take the risk of infection and not spend the $8,000?

@ @LilacTree This past Monday, Phoenix, AZ. 7-tooth permanent front lower bridge, $4,418. di

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:26:41 GMT

@Pook wrote:
@LilacTree, For a bridge with 10 teeth it does not seem like a high price at all especially since you do not want dentures. I would do it soon so as not to get infections. You might look into some of the dental plans that are fairly inexpensive where you could get 40 - 50% off.

@Pook

I do have a dental plan. I just calculated the whole estimate and this plan only gives 20% off on these complicated procedures. I have to find out what his regular charges are before I know how much of a discount I am getting. I figured it out myself, but I want to make sure I'm right. If I am, I am getting a discount of about $2,100.

The dentist is not ripping me off acccording to the plan. I'm just wondering if perhaps I can negotiate with him on his regular prices. I've had a lot of work done by him before through this plan and my daughter goes to him also on the plan. It seems the more complicated the procedure is, the less percentage one gets off. 20% is the lowest on this plan and that's what I am getting. The charts go up to 70-80%, but those are for less complicated procedures.

I put a call in to talk to the billing person, she is right now out to lunch. I'll go over it with her and see if he ever negotiates.

And I'm looking into alternatives.

I think I am too old to spend this much money on my teeth. It's mostly the cavities under the bridge and fear of infection (which would be hard for me to fight because of my autoimmune diseases).

It's always something.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:32:43 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
I personally would not go with that option for that amount of money. I am 60, and would choose an upper or lower denture for less than half that amount.

I currently have no life threatening illnesses, but it would take one for me to spend $8,000 on a procedure.

For my own circumstances, I would find another option. Best wishes with making the decision that best suits your circumstances.

Redtop, my upper bridge is only two years old and doing fine. The problem is with the lower bridge which is about ten years old and a bad job (I should not have accepted it).

As I further research and talk with you folks, I am probably going to back out of this. I am researching other ways to go.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:35:46 GMT

@Desertdi wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:
I went to my dentist yesterday for a consult to replace a deteriorating lower bridge. I have RA and am on low dose prednisone. I am afraid of eventual infection because the bridge is separating from my gums. I have to lightly brush and floss every time I eat, no matter how little. I also use a Water Pik on its lowest speed.

Even with a dental discount plan, the cost to replace is $8,000. I am 78 years old. Is it worth it? Would you take the risk of infection and not spend the $8,000?

@ @LilacTree This past Monday, Phoenix, AZ. 7-tooth permanent front lower bridge, $4,418. di

Less than half the price. Problem is I live in NJ where everything costs more. I'm looking into alternatives. I'm not going to go with this estimate. If I were a lot younger, maybe. But not at this age.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

Annabellethecat66 — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:42:19 GMT

I have paid my dentist a lot of money over the past few years. Too much to even say here. But he has managed to keep me from having bridges, etc. I have only had to have two implants, the rest are caps. He's had to do a lot of dental work for me (dry mouth) caused cavities.

I have a medical problem called IGG. I have very little immune system so I have to be careful not to get infections of any kind.

I do think anyone (not just the OP) needs to be careful not to get infections in the gums/bones in their mouth because if you get infections in the bones it can travel all over your body.

I will soon have knee replacement. My Dr doing th knee replacement said I must go to the dentist (among other Drs) and make sure my teeth are in good order and there are no infections because if I got an infection in the bones/gums in my mouth it could travel all over my body.

I've spoken to other people and they've said the Dr told them to do the same thing.

I guess it depends on a person's finanacial situation. I understand that. I don't think age should have anything to do with it. People always live a lot longer than they think they ever will anyway.

I think it's all about the quality of one's life also. If your teeth are very rotten, it is better to get them fixed than to try to save a few dollars (if you can afford it).

I believe it's an individual decision. If it (for me anyway) was just a matter of looking pretty for pretty teeth, I'd say, "No way". I'm 70 this year and (for me) it's not like I'm patrolling for a man! Ha! Sorry, but I'm just giving another side of the coin (so to speak).

Finally, to wrap up this bla bla of mine. If you have the money that's fine, but if you don't I'd just get done whatever you can to make sure you don't have any bad teeth because if you have to have a major medical operation and you know ahead of time, your Dr will make sure you aren't going into it with any infections.

Re: Dental work for the elderly

LilacTree — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 17:48:43 GMT

@patbz wrote:
You need to address this one way or another, as your teeth will affect your health. One thing that helped DH (with 32,000 of work) was care credit card thru dentist so if it was paid in one year or 18 months was zero financing.

I was approved for a CareCredit account at the dentist's office yesterday. I can pay for 24 months with no finance charges. I just don't know if I want to compromise my credit by taking on such a large loan.

I was able to pay for the work I had done a couple of years ago in cash. Due to circumstances, I can't do that now.