Hi all! I have such bad teeth and always have had. Long story short- I've had 5 root canals, apicoectomy (sp), numerous extractions, 2 crowns, 2 teeth cut out (cause they broke off at the gum), anyway, now, on the few teeth I've got left, and would like to keep, I need 4 fillings, and 3 crowns. I still owe my old dentist $400 and had to change cause I had a bad tooth ache and he wouldn't see me cause i owe him, anyone know of a dentist doing probono, or program to help with cost. We have dental ins but still can't afford work to that extent and am worried my teeth will be long gone before I've ever got the money to have them fixed. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by grumpysleepyachydopey (edited 05-24-2003).]

Hi grumpysleepyachydopey http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I am new to these boards but felt that I needed to reply to your post before I placed my own.

I also have bad teeth and I realy have no one to blame but myself. I didn't take care of them like I should have, even had all my teeth fixed with a couple root canals, bonding ect.. at the age of 16.

I then didn't take care of my teeth again (stupid move I totally regret). So I was now about 24 and had went from age 18 till then without insurance. I could not afford any dental care, which really upset me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/mad.gif

Anytime I would get a toothache I had to go get it pulled, which really was not cool.. I think I have had like 10 teeth pulled in my lifetime (including my 4 wisdom teeth).

Time after time, leaving me with less teeth to eat with but free of the pain. I finally did get insurance but it was an HMO dental and that only covers percentages. My dentist said we didn't have to pull anymore teeth but it would cost $6,800 to fix and restore my mouth with root canals, partial bridges and crowns. I didn't have that kind of money!! And they needed all money at time of each appt before they would do any work.

This was so depressing to me because here I was looking forward to insurance. YAY! I can get my mouth fixed and take care of them this time. I was so upset at the whole situtation. I was like what is the point of having insurance????? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif

I tried to look into dental schools and FREE dental work. I could only find schools like USC dental school in my area but you weren't guaranteed to get in, if the students weren't learning your particular case, and it would take 3 times as long as a regular dentist. Also the cost was only like 30% cheaper, so instead of $500 - $750 for a root canal and crown, they would cost about $300 - $350.. that's good but not when you need a ton of them, plus other work. The money was still to great.. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_down.gif

So finally here I am now only 27 with a mouthful of bad teeth. I really hate it because I now wish I had taken care of myself.

I just got a PPO dental with a $1,500 yearly maximum payout before any money is due and my new dentist says it will cost about $10,000 to save my teeth! I do not have that!! She says "Can you borrow the money?". I think all they care about is money!! I don't think my credit will allow a personal loan, and that's a huge amount of money for your teeth.. What is wrong with this country when you have insurance and want your oral health to be taken care of and CAN'T afford it.. It's a sad day..!!!

In my opinion...

I would do searches on the net for schools and such in your area.. I am stuck and have to decide whether or not to fix the 8 teeth that cause me pain with root canals and crowns, still paying $2,000 out of pocket fater insurance, and leave the rest till I can afford it, or get dentures.. Which by the way frightens me and makes me nervous.. That's a whole other subject though..

I hope all this works out for you.. I just wanted to let you know your not alone and I am in the same position as yourself. Hang in there, I am trying.. my weekend has been terrible.. I am taking pain meds and they don't work all the great and it's Vicodin!! Plus I have chronic back pain to make things worse.. you can also find me on the back problems board..

I hope you can find your answers.. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.. If you want I can try and help search for you.. just let me know your area..

Sorry for the long winded reply.. I just needed to vent a little because I got so frustrated by hearing your worries and not being able to get help.. Believe me I know all about it and it's not fun at all.. Hang in there!!!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/angel.gif

Hottrodd