WormGod
01/14/2009, 08:26 AM
I have come to the conclusion that they are all the same.
I recently broke a bit of the side off of a rear molar that had a 15+ year filling in it. Pretty tiny piece broke off exposing some of the side of the actual filling. No pain, no real issue, but needed to be looked at regardless.
So I go to my dentist and he takes a gander. Feels the need to file the whole thing down and cap it. He REALLY prefers to just pull the thing and put in an implant (money in his pocket.... read on) since it's the furthest rear tooth on that side. "Stronger" he says.
Well, I am insured enough for 50 people and the visit is covered, mostly. However, 2 things stand out to insurance that are flagged. No cavity is present and it is considered "cosmetic"? Come again? An exposed tooth/filling getting capped is considered "preventive" if you ask me. "Preventive" is covered. Makes no sense to me.
Anyways, all that personal bickering aside, it comes down to price. Now, the filing down and capping is $800+ (out of my pocket since insurance is being stingy). WOW! He then explained the price of an implant and, everything included could come to $1600+ (again, out of pocket). Good God Chuck!!!! Dentistry is absolutely expensive!
Gonna have to sit on this one for a while. Not long I hope, but my money tree hibernates during the winter. :(
I wish I were some genetic freak like my late uncle who had regenerative teeth. All through his life, he had the ability to grow a new tooth back if he lost one. Now THAT would rule. The only reason he ever had to go to the dentist was to get a cleaning or get a tooth pulled. Next thing ya know, he would grow it back. The luck!
I recently broke a bit of the side off of a rear molar that had a 15+ year filling in it. Pretty tiny piece broke off exposing some of the side of the actual filling. No pain, no real issue, but needed to be looked at regardless.
So I go to my dentist and he takes a gander. Feels the need to file the whole thing down and cap it. He REALLY prefers to just pull the thing and put in an implant (money in his pocket.... read on) since it's the furthest rear tooth on that side. "Stronger" he says.
Well, I am insured enough for 50 people and the visit is covered, mostly. However, 2 things stand out to insurance that are flagged. No cavity is present and it is considered "cosmetic"? Come again? An exposed tooth/filling getting capped is considered "preventive" if you ask me. "Preventive" is covered. Makes no sense to me.
Anyways, all that personal bickering aside, it comes down to price. Now, the filing down and capping is $800+ (out of my pocket since insurance is being stingy). WOW! He then explained the price of an implant and, everything included could come to $1600+ (again, out of pocket). Good God Chuck!!!! Dentistry is absolutely expensive!
Gonna have to sit on this one for a while. Not long I hope, but my money tree hibernates during the winter. :(
I wish I were some genetic freak like my late uncle who had regenerative teeth. All through his life, he had the ability to grow a new tooth back if he lost one. Now THAT would rule. The only reason he ever had to go to the dentist was to get a cleaning or get a tooth pulled. Next thing ya know, he would grow it back. The luck!