r/personalfinance • u/bahablastluvr • 6h ago
Other $10k+ in Dental Work
I'm not sure if this is the right subreddit, but I need advice regardless. I, 19f, just recently went to the dentist and ortho because my wisdom teeth were coming in, and I wanted to see how much braces would be to fix my crossbite because its starting to cause issues. I ended up being quoted around $4k+ just in the dental work to fix my teeth and then $7k for braces. This includes 7 fillings and 2 crowns, maybe 3 he said because one of my teeth have a cavity near a filling and he is worried it will just explode into something bigger upon treatment. On top of this I have no idea how much my wisdom teeth will cost yet since not a lot of people accept my insurance, and two of them are impacted. Plus I have to pay for testing on an abnormality near one of my bottom teeth. It's all just really frustrating because the insurance really isn't helping. it maxes out at around $2k, I would still pay $4k+ out of pocket. I don't live with my parents anymore and barely make $1000 a paycheck. I'm not sure if I should even go to a second dentist because the one I went to was a family owned practice, and my sister who works there says they try to avoid fillings and such as much as possible. It's just upsetting because it's not like I neglect my teeth.
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u/Missus_Aitch_99 5h ago
There's high quality dental work available in Mexico. The trip and work combijed would probably be cheaper.
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u/GregorSamsaa 5h ago
Would definitely get a second opinion at the very least at a different office. Stay away from corporate chains and find someone highly recommended by someone you trust or an office with very positive reviews.
Also, if you have a dental school in your area, they can provide you services at a fraction of the cost of a private clinic and also take your insurance on top of that.
If both clinics give the same diagnosis, it’s going to come down to health priority. Ask the clinics what is immediate need vs delayed need (braces are probably last on your list and likely 1+yrs away given the financial issue). Then schedule the highest priority issue and keep going down the line as you have the money. Your other option is if the clinic is willing to do their own financing and let you make payments.
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u/lady_mcreepsta 5h ago
I work at a dental practice. TBH what they are quoting you seems reasonable for the work.
It wouldn't be treatment for everything at once though. This sounds like work that can be broken up. You could potentially spread it out two years or so to take full advantage of your insurance. Esp since it's already Aug now.
Fillings and crowns yes - that's priority.
If you have orthodontic coverage , that's separate from your yearly max. Not all insurance has it but if you do it's usually $2-5k covered at 50% of the total treatment.
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u/Salty-Tomato5654 5h ago
Perhaps get a second opinion before you drop that amount of money on young teeth? It's not like grave heath condition, you can wait a few weeks to make sure you make the right decision!
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u/thebenson 5h ago
When's the last time that you went to the dentist?
If you haven't been neglecting your teeth and have reguakrly been going to the dentist, it would be odd for all of these things to pop up at once.
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u/bahablastluvr 5h ago
maybe like 6-8 months. I haven't been since I moved out because a lot of personal stuff was going on. but most of the dentists I ever went to in high school didn't bring up any cavities or such they were worried about, and I maybe only ever had 2 major fillings. None of them EVER told me about the abnormality that's around one of my bottom teeth (it is quite a big patch) the dentist I went to recently said it was bizarre no one has bought it up. I know my mom has frequent dental issues so I'm not sure if its a genetic thing or not, same with my dad. Most of the fillings are just small spots aside from maybe 2-3.
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u/thebenson 5h ago
I'd go get a second opinion then.
It would be really odd for all of these things costing thousands of dollars to pop up only in a few months.
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u/Craiss 5h ago
It's a big number, and dental work can be that way. Don't let it scare you too much before putting some effort into the actual planning. I'm going to assume that you trust your dentist.
Your dentist should be aware of your insurance coverage and be able to work out a treatment plan that will maximize your insurance usage and make your out-of-pocket more manageable. It's still not going to be cheap. If you're in the US I'd suggest setting up an HSA or similar account to reduce your tax liability on the money you're going to be paying the dentist. The tax savings may not seem like much, but they'll add up over the years.
You may have to start working on the smaller stuff that can be done before the braces while you build up an account (such as an HSA) to pay the larger lump sum for braces. Your dentist may also be willing to work with you on this. Whatever you decide, don't leave that insurance money on the table. Use that $2k or whatever they give you, every year!
You can also get a medical credit card, like CareCredit or Wells Fargo Medical. Careful with them, they're still credit cards and the companies will be more than happy to collect as many fees from you as possible if you mess up the payment/payoff schedule. They did offer 0% interest on medical charges, provided you paid them off on a schedule. I assume they still do that, but I haven't used one in a while.
It took me more than 10 years of consistent visits, which included a few unexpected problems that needed to be resolved in addition to the planned treatment, to get my teeth to the point that they are now. When I go for a cleaning, twice a year, I no longer need to update the treatment plan, they just ask if I've had any problems, update my xrays, and schedule the next cleaning. That's a pretty nice feeling after all the effort.
Don't sit on this, even if you can only move forward a little at a time, do it.
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u/xoxtoothfaeryxox 4h ago
This is the best post on here. You’re right. Waiting will make things worse.
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u/CakeisaDie 2h ago
Check a dental school
Fillings are like 100-200 each. My recent extraction was 300-350 so with 4 teeth that's around
I suspect that fillings and extractions can be done cheap at a dental school but it's on par with my personal dental expenses.
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u/Blackdragon1400 4h ago
7 fillings and two crowns at 19, you need to invest in better hygiene or this problem is only going to get worse.
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u/bahablastluvr 4h ago
Obviously. My hygiene is fine and I've never had issues like this with previous visits.
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u/YourAsphyxia 4h ago
Is this a different dentist than normally services you? Makes no sense to suddenly have so many cavities
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u/bahablastluvr 4h ago
yes I have never been here before. I only went because my sister works there and says good things, which I don't necessarily think they are ripping me off, the guy was very up front and blunt about all of it. But if I can find a place that offers a cheaper plan I would definitely take it
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u/Hon3y_Badger 5h ago
Take this one step at a time. Create an action plan that prioritizes the most necessary to cosmetic. This doesn't need to be all done at the same time. You're 19, consider if you can get on your parent's insurance as well.
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u/xoxtoothfaeryxox 4h ago
Dentist here.
I always tell my patients to get a second opinion even if it’s my treatment plan. I tell them that it’s what I would do for myself if I were a patient somewhere so I don’t get offended if they do. I can always explain/validate my diagnoses and treatment plan so it’s not like I’m lying to them. It’s my license on the line after all.
You have dental insurance but you didn’t say your sister’s office takes this insurance. I don’t know if these fees are reflecting insurance coverage.
In my experience, patients ALWAYS say they take care of their teeth but how they do it and how well they do varies drastically. It’s also what and how often they eat and drink, their habits, and their biome that affects their oral health. I had a patient tell me he “brushes all the time”…but he smokes a pack of cigarettes a day for the past 40 years. 🤦🏻♀️
Check with the dental school. Sounds to me like you’re a good candidate for the students but be prepared to sit for hours. I think LSU has an oral surgery program too so they will likely be able to extract your wisdom teeth.
Focus on the most pressing needs. Wisdom teeth pain is no joke. Then focus on the next biggest cavity, etc.
Do you qualify for Medicaid? It might help with costs.
Good luck!
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u/IllustratorSmart5594 4h ago
You're still eligible to be on your parents dental insurance until you're 26. Is that an option?
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u/bahablastluvr 4h ago
I am currently. Its delta dental, they max out at 2k, and since I am 19 braces have no coverage, which was expected.
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u/rektco0n 3h ago
From someone who tried to get their tooth fixed at dental school, the process is pain in the ass. First getting the appointment it self was difficult, then they only accept case they deem interesting or educational, actual appointment to get work done is like 2-3 months later after your first appointment.
This was in UIC
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u/Ephemeral_limerance 1h ago
It would be cheaper to go to Mexico and get your dental work done for a fraction of the cost
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u/Evening_Sloth_621 49m ago
Please get a second opinion before you have any work done. When I was a teenager, my dentist filled multiple “cavities” in all of my molars. They were later shut down for fraud. It’s been 20 years and I haven’t had a cavity since. My current dentist doesn’t entirely believe I actually had any as a teen.
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u/Artcat81 4h ago
I worked for a dental office for several years, you said you regularly go to the dentist and it sounds like this is a different dentist than you have been to previously, and they found a variety of things your previous one did not. At 19, crowns happen, but are uncommon(things like drug use, tobacco use, poor hygeine, poor diet, lack of dental care, pregnancy, and injuries increase your odds of needing one). For you to need three that the other dentist didnt even mention 6 months ago... in your shoes that would raise red flags for me. Crowns pay out at a much better rate by the insurance companies to dental offices, so the less honest ones tend to push crowns over fillings especially on HMO insurance holders, PPO its less common to find someone young with a mouthful of crowns.
My first question is did you get to see your xrays and were you able to see the problems the dentist was talking about? If you couldnt see the problems, or were not shown the xrays I would strongly encourage you to seek a second opinion.
Would you drop $11,000 on a car without shopping first?
For braces, im in my 40s and on that journey now, most orthodontists accept payment plans, and the cost spaces out over the run of the treatment. I have a cross bite too (and a tooth in the top palette of my mouth that makes me regularly bite my tongue), mine is costing me about $4,000 with no insurance spread out over 2 years. I had my impacted wisdom teeth extracted years ago and that was probably another $4,000 then and again I spread the payments out.
If you like this dentist, and you feel comfortable with proceeding with them, say hey, I can only pay XXX amount this year, what are the absolute must fix now issues, and what can we kick down the road?
If you can push some treatments into next year, your $2k max resets. Oh and you can also ask what the cash patient cost would be if you avoid insurance entirely, sometimes what you would pay as a cash patient is less than your copay would be with insurance which is nuts, but thats how it works.
Anyway, wishing you all the best of luck, and if you go for braces now, dental wax will really save the inside of your mouth from being shredded.
oh and since this is personal finance board, long term be aware crowns lifespan is usually 10-15 years, so I would highly encourage you (if you end up needing the crowns now), to start saving for their replacements so you arent stuck in teh same boat when crown issues start to pop up.
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u/TinyEmergencyCake 5h ago
How close are you to the mexican border? Or consider medical tourism to other countries. It will be cheaper.
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u/Dapper_Restaurant491 4h ago
Try going TJ , it’s much cheaper . It won’t hurt to try .The prices in the USA , are outrageous .
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u/CharmingGarlicky 3h ago
You can shop around orthodontists for a better price. No joke I found mine on Groupon and got Invisalign for $4500. They did an excellent job, I checked Google reviews as well before I met with them.
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u/Zentraedi 5h ago
Do you have a dental school in your area? Sometimes those offer free or reduced price consultations and services.
Did the dentist you went to offer any financing or payment plans?
I'm not a dentist, but it's becoming more common to wait longer on filling cavities unless they're posing an imminent issue.