I returned to the dentist today for four fillings, and he wasn’t sneezing this time.
It went well enough; the visit was all over in 40 minutes.
The cost, including two x-rays, was $554. Health insurance paid $288, leaving me a bill for $266.
I enquired about crowns. I think he said I should have four of them, but I’ll clarify that next week when I go back for a clean and to get the x-ray results.
They charge $1300 for a crown apparently, and I don’t know yet how much the insurance would pay.
I read a brochure about what they do and it makes sense. My older fillings are starting to fall out and the teeth will reach a point when they can’t be filled again. A crown protects them.
WebMD explains it well:
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth – covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.
Crowns can be made of porcelain or gold alloy.
I don’t think it will be affordable for me at the moment, and it may be best to wait another 5-10 years anyway. Even the crowns don’t last forever.
Crowns do not last forever.
I watched mine disappear down the plug hole after I disloged it while brushing my teeth.
My insurance cover states the maximum benefit is $1,000 per person, for one crown per year, with a lifetime limit $2,500.
The root canal filling first, $128.00.
Dentists and lawyers…you need to pay up lots-a-loot every time.
Twitter: mgorey
says:
That’s interesting Eb. Did you have to replace the crown? I guess you did. If so, how did you go about that and what did it cost?
I chose not to replace it because the original tooth had been drilled so hard and a replacement crown would have to be cemented much like the first one.( no guarantees )
I had a root canal treatment and since it was not a front tooth, decided against spending another $1,200.
My dentist suggested implants for the future, but advised this would be a lengthy and expensive process.
Maybe…one day when I am a millionaire with time to kill.
Yay, in your dreams, huh?