Okay both hubby and I went to the dentist today at the low income dental Chas clinic here is Spokane. We had an evaluation of our teeth done. We are in sad and sorry shape. We both need dire dental care but well the money just is not there. We can make payments for things but we just don't have a lot at once.
We go back for denture consult Monday the 13th at Noon. They said my husband needs needs uppers ASAP but lowers only a couple repairs. Me they said I could go another 2-3 years but even with repairs to the tune total of $2,290 over a 12 month time which is 50% off at Chas that I would need dentures in about 3 years anyway because I only have 18 teeth left. 4 of them are iffy two are my remaining right side molars.
That would leave me with 14 front semi okay teeth. But after 2-3 years with no molars to chew with in the back I would use them so much I would still need dentures. I asked how much for them and getting them all pulled I have 9 that are bad to real bad Plus the cost of dentures they said about $1600-$1700. That is almost a six hundred dollar difference. They said my husband has an abcessed wisdom tooth on the back lower right that never came through the gums he will need surgery on. Not sure if medicare will cover that but we can't afford to do it if they don't.
I just cannot see paying over two thousand for me to get things sort of fixed only to have to have them all pulled and dentures anyway in 2-3 years. They said my husbands cost is going to be around $1200 that would include the surgery and dentures. And dental for fixing two lower teeth.
They sure want a lot of money for teeth now days. I got a root canal, crown and fillings 4 years ago on one tooth it is already decayed and said it needs re done and I paid for the one tooth $2100 and now that is one of the molars they said is going to have to be pulled.
After the 13th of this month will have a better idea exactly what can be done and final cost and if we can make payments. But I might be gumming things for awhile or making do until I some how come up with the money and pray none of my other teeth break. Might have to wait and see what kind of income tax we get back and if we can use some of it. Might be getting suggestions of soft foods to eat. LOL
Anyone else have ideas or suggestions. Medicare/Medicaid won't pay for dental for husband but they might pay for the needed surgery on the abcessed under the gums tooth. I have not insurance and cannot afford any.
I think dental care is outrageous. I have people friends who work in the profession who said it is way too high it costs them about 75 cents for fillings and about $5-10 for crowns. So the rest is just gravy. Mostly it is greed. Even after paying staff they make oodles of money and profit. I Wonder what it would cost to drive to Mexico and get them done? I could stop and visit friends on the way in Arizona.
They keep saying fixing my teeth is a better option as I might have trouble with getting good fitting dentures and them staying in. Well geez I already have trouble with my real teeth, the fillings keep coming out, I have bone loss, I have had 4 teeth break. I have had three fillings replaced and two from the same tooth and it is needing replaced again and one of those they dentist is not even sure is salvagable. Maybe Hubby and I should just get one pair of dentures between us and share LOL.
Something will work out just don't know what yet. Will pray about it and put it in God's hands.
I might have to go stand on some street corner with a sign. Need money to get dentures so I can eat. LOL. We do have about $1000 saved so that is a start but not enough. Or I could go get a couple bottles of moonshine, get drunk as a skunk, give hubby the pliers yank the teeth out. OOUCHIE!!
I have an Idea!! Ya all can each send me $5.00 each lets see how many friends do I have on here. 600 times five bucks $3000 yeah. Okay just kidding, I am sure some of you are struggling as much as we are. God will open a door he always does.
We will probably sell a pick up truck we are not using and don't need it is a 1964 Dodge and also our Studebaker commander wagon will get us close to what we need or closer. Hubby is going to do some plow jobs on the side this winter for people that will help too. We at least have some assets and I can use some of the money here from gather and from mypoints and other places I have money coming in from the net, surveys etc.
Meanwhile send me some soft food recipes so I don't turn into skin and bones. though I could stand to lose some pounds. LOL
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Comments: 33
that is alot of money, at least you have some assests to fall back on at times like this. Anything we do nowadays costs a fortune. and lol, i'll go round up some soft food recipes. :-)
Trust God he needs no help in making the way for his ways are higher then your ways and his thoughts higher then yours.
I found out that the x-rays and pulling my teeth will be covered on my medical card.....the full bottom plate is $500 straight across the board and has to be paid up front.
So....nowhere near the costs you are talking, but it will take me over a year or so of taking money in on my account until I can get the plate made.
But, maybe with at least the broken and loose front teeth gone my upper plate and partial can hit together to help me chew more. I still won't have the biting power just like now though.
We only tend to get care when we have a hot tooth. One time we had root canals and with insurance it was about $1,000 A PIECE for one tooth. Some dentists really take you for all you got.
Best is to call around and shop around.
One dentist in New Port Richey advertises free care for one day each year and people line up to get in. He can't fix it all in on day, but many need a tooth pulled and that he will do. Check around sometimes there are people who will do things like this. Also call your local public health clinic, they might know who will do it for you when you haven't the resources.
I see my dentist 3 times a year and each visit costs a bit over $100 but my teeth are in great shape. Its an expense I feel is important for my mental and physical health.
I hope you get help soon.