Dental issue: $3500 for teeth extraction, bone graft, and implantation - reasonable? (pulled, implants)
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I went to a dentist today for pain and upon reading the x-rays, I was told I need to get my tooth pulled. To get an implant and the whole works, it's going to cost me a grand total of $3500. Is this reasonable? Sounds like highway robbery to me but I have heard dental work can be pretty pricey.
Also, I have attached an x-ray of the "problem area". The dentist basically told me nothing can be done but getting the tooth extraction - not even a root canal because of the location of the cavity. Any dentists or people in the field who can confirm this?
Thanks guys ... with the Holidays approaching, spending $3500 just doesn't sound "do-able" but I don't want to deal with the pain. I guess I can just get an extraction but I don't want a "missing tooth" in my mouth! Okay, thanks again gang!
If this info is needed: it's my lower left jaw, last tooth (not wisdom).
$3500? You're getting a good deal there. My husband paid closer to $5000 for the same procedure. Know this though, if you wait you run the risk of the tooth breaking all the way down to the bone which will cost even more to extract. Ask the dentist if you can go on a payment plan. And definitely make sure the person who does the procedure is an oral surgeon who specializes in implants.
Around here there is something called Care Credit, which is a loan type thing, X amount of days same as cash-they have a website, which I just noticed on the application form I picked up. carecredit.com Can they maybe extract the tooth and put a spacer kind of thing in there temporarily? Or since it's all the way in back maybe that would't work. Will he/she discuss what options you have given your circumstances? Definitely ask around. Good luck!
I thought about "just having it pulled" but then I won't be able to chew on the left side! About the spacer ... I think the dentist mentioned it but "no can do" b'c it's a back tooth. If it was a front one, he could've.
I just felt bombarded by the guy so I didn't ask a whole lot of questions. I don't like the feeling of being "backed into" a situation so being turned off by his approach, I just shruged and left. It's not that we can't afford it, but damn, $3K is an LV purse, or an upgrade to my engagement, or (the most practical example of the three!) money we're saving for a downpayment to a house!
From the sound of it, you guys don't sound surprised that it's going to be over $3K for ONE TOOTH. I was complete sticker shocked. "That's life," huh?!
Just seems to me that so few people have dental insurance, they can just charge whatever they want and they make it sound like a do or die scenario-which I tend to balk at as well. I don't know about 3 thousand for an implant-but for that money I wouldn't be getting it in a tooth!! But seriously, even a crown is around $700-800.
Maybe someone else can suggest an alternative or you could see if you could get used to chewing only on one side!
I'm definitely getting a second opinion and I DO HAVE INSURANCE!! The dentist was like, "Your dental insurance isn't going to cover your implant." Pooh.
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