Thanks, that is very helpful re the costs. I can have some parts of it paid for by Medicare and other parts by PHI but I'm not sure yet what bits would be paid each way and no idea of what my out-of-pockets will be. First most important thing is getting the offending tooth out - I guess i have time to think about my options while that heals.
From memory I got about $2,500 back from the orthodontic, $1,000 from the surgery and only about $700 tomorrow for the crown.
I had good PHI extras cover, with the maximum back on dental/orthodontic that our fund offers. Lifetime maximum for oral surgery (I think that includes some other dental work) was $3,000.
I've got a bridge & have had it since I was approx 13 yo and am now 33 yo (so about 20 yrs I've had it) About 3 weeks ago it come unstuck (I was chewing on a minty, although it had felt loose the week prior). I just went to the dentist & got it rebonded. He did say that it probably won't last as long as it did the first time.
Initially to clean it they gave me a special floss that inserts between the gap of your gum & the false tooth, but when the gum grows over you won't need to do that again. You just brush & floss in the usual way. The only thing I don't like about the bridge is that it is metallic (they may be different now) and it looks like I have a mouth full of fillings....
In case you are still pondering this.... I got an implant in Nov 09 & get my crown fitted in approx 2 weeks. All up about $4000 after PHI rebates. The implant was absolutely pain free - I would get all my molars replaced by implants if the cost wasn't so high. I would thoroughly recommend this path as it leaves the other teeth alone & is pretty much guarenteed for at least 20 yrs after which time you might need to replace the crown. Good luck anyway - hope it all works out!
I am about to get the crown for my implant fitted next month. It has been a long process, but one that I would definitely recommend.
My dentist said that given that I have problematic teeth at the best of times, interfering with two perfectly health teeth in order to do bridgework just isn't worth it.
I know there are loads of reports on implant rejection, but those are pretty outdated. With modern technology, the rejection rate is very low.
As for pain, both the extraction of the offending tooth and the insertion of the screw (along with a bone graft as I didn't have much bone mass left into which the screw could be inserted) was NOTHING compared to having root-canal treatment. Sure you feel a bit of pressure, but with the local anaesthetic it really is quite painless (except for a bit of tenderness for a day or two).
In terms of cost, you would be looking at just shy of $6k, with about $1k - $1.5k back from PHI. A lot of money, yes, but this is a permanent solution. Well worth it, in my opinion.
You have my sympathy (my teeth are the bane of my existence )
Registered User
)
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks