Ok, this is basically a follow up for my other post about tooth pain. I finally couldn't stand it anymore and decided to call around to a few dentists and see what I could get done. I am terrified of the dentist. That's part of the reason my teeth are falling apart now, and the other part is the pain meds I am on causes tooth decay/breakage. Well, I really wanted to try a sedation dentistry one due to my phobia. I called and they said they don't do payment plans but they offer a card called "care credit". I was approved for $3000. Yay! right? Well I called her back and she kind of said "well he uses the best labs, the teeth look very natural, etc" which leads me to believe this is going to get expensive.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this type of credit? Also, is it easy to get the limit increased? When I called it asked me to put in a limit and I have no clue since it has been so long since I went to a dentist I just put in that amount. I guess it lowballed it LOL.

Also, are regular dentists that bad? I mean could someone with my type of phobia really go to a regular dentist for extractions/dentures? Or will I end up having to go the sedation dentistry route?

BTW..here is the dentist I am going to on Thursday:

http://www.chattanoogasedationdentis...al-Topic55.htm

I completely understand your dentist phobia.....my dentist always makes a comment because I sell dental insurance but hate to go to the dentist!

I have used Care Credit....the deal I had through my dentist was a 6 month 0 interest plan. Make sure you pay as much of it off as you can quickly, because then the interest rate goes to 21%! My dentist also has a lady who will contact your insurance company for pre-approval, then give you an estimate of what it will cost. READ the estimate closely, it is just an 'estimate' but for my DD, they were 'adding' in services, such as tooth whitening (100 per tooth), a sample size tube of 'sensitive teeth toothpaste' for $20!

I would be honest with the dentist too, tell them your budget is tight and can they offer any discounts? I have also heard of people going to a local dental school for discount services.

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

I know people who have gone to this franchise and they were very happy
You would need to check them out because some dentists are better than others. Check BBB to see if there are complaints.

Affordable Dentures Locations

Yea I've heard horror stories about them. At least here in Chattanooga, TN. I don't know. Some people just have different ways of seeing things. My main concern is pain. I don't want to be in more pain than necessary.

Pain is subjective--what hurts you, may not hurt the next person. Dental work is going to have some degree of pain, regardless of the dentist that is doing it. And when you're talking extractions, root canals, dentures, etc. there's going to be some degree of pain afterward.

I think, and this is just my own personal opinion that you would do well to discuss getting an anti-anxiety med (xanax or valium) to take just prior to going into the dentist office with your PCP or the dentist. Sometimes the anxiety and worry over the "what-ifs" is worse than the actual pain from the procedure

Typically, for me, after the first shot of novocaine I'm ok. I dread that first shot though! I always have....

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I am thinking more about Affordable Dentures. Most dentists won't just pull teeth and give you dentures. or if they do, it's one or the other. Most will just pull, not dentures. At Affordable, they will do both. I am just really bad when it comes to the pain. I have a very low pain tolerance.

For me, I absolutely insisted on first getting gas (still awake, but it so relaxed me that they could finally pry my hands off the chair handles, lol), then getting gum-numbing gel on my gums before any shots, then lots and lots of novacaine. It was the only way I would get work done and I was terrified of dentists.

Truth is, my gums got so bad (I had problems since I was 20, my first root canal was when I was 5, long story), that I eventually had all my teeth removed and it has given me my life back. I finally have beautiful (fake) teeth. I have absolutely no pain. I have a great smile. I have never been so pain free and happy in my entire adult life. Everyone (including dentists) told me horror stories and so I delayed for years. I wish I had it done earlier. It has transformed my life...no joke.

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How hard was it to get them pulled/get dentures? I really want to do that, but I am so afraid.

It was a long journey. I had many many gum infections and they were getting worse and affecting my entire body.
You can pm me if you have any more questions.

But after some consultations, I knew it was inevitable they had to come out. I saw dentists who wanted to give me all implants. But the incredible cost, and the process was too much for me to handle. I finally found a good dentist who extracted my teeth and gave me dentures. I had bad gums, not bad teeth. So my teeth were very easy to extract. I did it a little at a time though. I couldn't handle the change mentally. I cried because the prevailing opinion was that I was too young to lose my teeth (in my late 40's) and they would tell me horror stories, and there were jokes, and the feeling I would be old and dried up if I had false teeth.
Well, I had the back ones out first. There was no pain in the extractions (at home I would take Tylenol, then go to the dentist, get gas, gum-numbing creme, novocaine, and then at home I would keep ice on my face off and on for a day or two. It helped and I would take Tylenol, but not much else....the ice was crucial.)
Little by little (and I did it over the course of a year, because of my fears) they removed the teeth and I got fitted. It only took a few days for me to get used to it (not always that easy for some ppl). And it has been a perfect fit for me for years now. The dentist said that it was amazing and not everyone has such good results.
But I have beautiful teeth, don't talk funny with them, people NEVER can tell by looking at me, and I can smile again. Because of the change, I don't have to put my hand over my mouth when I smile, laugh or talk. I don't have bad breath anymore. My life is transformed. I still have my big butt, lol, but because of my new teeth, they have empowered me to get out into the world and be social again. I am now the head of a local volunteer organization and do many speaking engagements. I credit the confidence I have from my new teeth.

My husband has bad teeth and not bad gums. The dentist did not want to take out his teeth. So he has been suffering from bridges and root canals and lots of expense (actually more than mine). He is miserable and constantly wishes he just took out his teeth.

The fear was intense for me. I had had many bad experiences in my youth. So it was scary, always scary. I did have encouragement and support from my family and friends and that helped. I also had a good prayer support from friends. But I am incredibly glad I did it.

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I called Affordable Dentures. I struck out on both my main issues. No, the one in my area does NOT do sedation dentistry. They just do Novocaine and I cannot deal with doing just a shot to pull 26 teeth. Sorry for that..lol.

And no they do not take my Care Credit card. That is another story. I called a dentist in my area that does do the sedation dentistry(Hallelujah!). They told me about this card that is just like a credit card and you use it for health care needs that insurance usually won't cover. Like dental. I was approved for $3000.00 limit, but I think I will have to get that raised, from what I understand it costs more than that to pull teeth and get dentures. Anyway, I decided to try Affordable Dentures since they are probably less expensive than the one I found. I am going to say that the sedation part of this is what's expensive. And that is something I cannot budge on. Just thinking about doing this with just a shot is making me sweat.

And....I too am in my late 40's. But because of the meds I am on my teeth are all broken or decayed or crooked from the gums being "soft".

---I never went with just a shot. My gf did have sedation and was very happy. Gas was great for me......I actually liked it.

Best wishes to you, and :hugs:

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OK just got back from the dentist. He wants to do a partial on the bottom and dentures on top. He is gonna save 6 teeth...3 on each side on bottom right under my "eye teeth". Those will be the anchors for the partials. The rest are gone. 20 teeth..lol.

Anyway, for his services...the partials, dentures, fittings, peridontal(sp) cleaning of the 6 that are left, and other fees, it will be a grand total of $4,988.00. That's not counting whatever the oral surgeon wants to pull the teeth. I have to go to him because this dentist is afraid with my pain issues I wouldn't be able to sit still for the hours it will take to pull 20 teeth. The oral surgeon will put me to sleep to pull them that way I won't start getting uncomfortable and have to squirm or move, etc.

So more than likely this is going to end up costing close to $10,000.00. The oral surgeon isn't gonna be cheap. I only have $3,000.00 credit limit on this carecard. I am going to call and see if I can get an increase, but I don't know if they will give me that much. This sucks. He said those teeth are gone and have to come out, either way it goes. I won't know until I see him on the 17th how much he will be. I wonder if I can make arrangements on the rest of what the card doesn't cover. I was planning on using the extra money we get from the refinance to pay for this...to pay the card off so we wouldn't get interest or have another monthly payment to worry about. Geezus..I had no clue it would be this expensive! I mean, I knew it was probably going to be more than the $3,000.00 limit, but wow!

Oh well. I will figure this out somehow. I have to. This has to be done. He said that the decay and periodontal(sp) crap that was going on in my mouth is going to become a serious health hazard if I don't do something soon. That it can lead to all kinds of other stuff. Like heart problems and stuff. I don't know if he was just saying that to scare me or what, but I don't see why he would do that. I didn't get that impression from him. He seems to genuinely care.

I'm in shock lol. Wow..

I'm sure you have already tried to bargain as much as you can. With my children's oral surgeon, when I mentioned how little insurance we had, he was able to give me a discount. With my dentist, my husband received a 10% when we paid in cash. You are going to do credit I understand, but it would be interesting to see if any deals could be made. For me it was about $5000 for full dentures and the extractions. But I did not have any periodontal work done at that time obviously. That is expensive as well.

Many people prefer some teeth to anchor the partial on the bottom teeth. If you are going to have problems with dentures, many times it is the bottom because of less surface to grip on. My aunt has this and was very happy with it.

Much luck.

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Ok, Update on the dentist...

I called and asked if there was anything they could do so far as lowering their prices so I could at least get the ones taken care of that needed it immediately. He said he would go ahead and do the lowers, pull the ones that need it and use 6 (3 on each side right below the eye teeth) as anchors for the partial, and he would do a peridontal (sp) cleaning on those, and the follow ups for realignments of the partial for $3,400. That's about all I have on the card. I have $3,500, and $188 was used on the first visit and xrays.

He did say that that would not include any sedation. I don't know how I am going to do this with just novacaine. I already have a dentist phobia so this isn't going to work very well. He said sedation costs $256. I talked to my son...who has a great job and makes close to $900/week if he would help me out and I will pay him back, and of course he said yes. So I am going to call the dentist tomorrow and tell him when I come in on Thursday to have the sedation ready LOL. I am not sure exactly what type of sedation he uses, but he specializes in "sedation dentistry". That's how I found him originally. I was searching for someone that catered to chickens. There are alot of dentists out there now who do.

When his nurse called me Monday and told me what he would do, I honestly couldn't pay much attention as I was more worried about the amount I would have to come up with. But I remember she said something about impressions and periodontal cleaning and extractions and follow ups. But TBH I cannot remember if she said he would be pulling the teeth then too, or just getting impressions first or what. I am very nervous about this. My main concern besides the amount, is that I am comfortable. I want to be out to have this done. There will be 26 teeth total that have to come out including the top.

Does anyone have any experience with having partials? Could you tell me what the procedure is for this? I mean, do they pull the teeth first and then get an impression for the partial ? Or the other way around. I ask because I want to be prepared when I go in on Thursday and not have it sprung on my that they are pulling the teeth then.

Geez, I am rambling. Can you tell I am very nervous about this? LOL.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Your dentist agreed to pull 26 teeth at once with just novacaine? Are you sure?

You might check dentalplans.com When I had mine pulled and got dentures I found a plan that my dentist took - (make sure you call them and ask before purchasing) it took almost half of my bill off! I paid 100 dollars for a year and you can begin using it the next day. What my dentist did was took the dental plan off first then billed insurance and I put the rest on care credit. It saved me a bundle.

Also I wanted to give you a heads up if you get them pulled and dentures right away within a year you will have to have another set of dentures. The gums shrink so much within the first 6 months that your first set will not fit right. Hopefully the dentist has explained that to you. Ask your dentist if they offer you a second set at their cost (if they say yes make sure you get a print out saying that) mine called it a treatment plan.

I just got my new set this year and I couldn't be happier. I don't talk funny, they look natural and nobody can tell I have dentures. I wouldn't change it for anything. I wish you luck - I had to do the sedation as well and it was fabulous!

Nicole

No not 26. Just the lowers and that is only 6. I will have to come back and get the uppers done another time when I can afford to have it and the denture made.

Do you have a regular medical plan or medical state card? That may cover part of the oral surgeon's bill. My dd had to have a tooth surgically removed (it was not 'through' the gum, grew in sideways) as part of her orthodontia, but it was covered under medical, not dental. Just an idea.....

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"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

Yea I tried that route. They said that because there was no "medical neccessity(sp)" to having them pulled immediately, they would not consider it. In other words, because it isn't life threatening, they won't pay. Technically it is. Broken teeth can harbor bacteria and that leads to infection and so on and into the heart and such and such. But they wouldn't hear it.

I am still thanking God for my son. He is such a sweet kid. He's only 21 and has a new car, pays his own bills on time I might add, and has money in the bank that he is holding on to with an iron fist. We taught him all his life to learn from our example. And just when you think your kids aren't listening to you, they surprise you When I asked him about the sedation he said "sure mom. I am not going to have my mom hurting like that. Just tell me what you need and it's there."

I could cry again. Very mature and responsible young man. I am so proud.

Duchess,
I'm like you when it comes to going to the dentist. I'm a big baby.
We don't have a dentist near that does sedation dentistry, so I have to go with novacaine. I can't use the gas.

I ended up having to go to have a root canal last week. I used valium before hand because I was so afraid. They even gave me an extra one to use the night before so I could sleep.

The dentist that did it uses a different kind of machine to administer the novacaine. It is computerized and uses a smaller needle. My mouth was numb in about 1 minute. I have to say it was the best experience I've ever had with a dentist. I didn't feel a thing! If I have to go for another root canal (possibly will have to have 2 more), I won't use the valium before hand. That's how great this machine was. My mouth ended up numb for the whole day.

See if they have this type of novacaine to use.

I wish my regular dentist would use this machine. I'll be talking to her about it next week when I go for my crown.

Good Luck with whatever you choose.
I'll keep you in my prayers for an easy and painless experience.

Judy

Ok today's the big day. My appt is for 4pm and I am trying my best not to get worked up. I called the nurse and asked her to repeat what was going to happen today. I am going in for the periodontal cleaning and for impressions for the partial. The question I have is if I am only keeping 6 teeth, why are they doing a perio cleaning on all of them? I mean, yes I am not getting the uppers pulled just yet, but I will be in the very near future...like not even a month from now. It just seems a pointless waste of money to me. She did say that what they will do is something called "quicknumb" or something like that. It is a rub on cream that numbs your gums up. She said I will also get nitrous if I want it. And yes, I want it. I just want something to make me less nervous. And if the cream doesn't work then they will give me the Novocaine.

Anyway, I would really appreciate some good thoughts and some wishes of perhaps the least amount of pain possible for this That's what I am mostly concerned about is how much this is going to hurt.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support

Hon I am praying your dental visit today will go smoothly.. It was a long rough road for me. I have lived in the Dentist office all my life. With all I have been through at this point , nothing fades me about the dentist anymore, but that is only and I say only after so many years of having everything done, all the fillings, all the root canals, or the extractions, braces, I have had everything done to my mouth . I was never had a sweet tooth, I totally took care of my teeth, however was told by so many dentists, I was born this way with bad teeth. To date I have no real teeth in my mouth. The whole bottom 12 pieces in one whole piece , underneath is 4 of my teeth grounded to hold the whole piece. On top is another 6 piece of teeth there in the front and along with that I wear a piece that comes in and out it has 3 teeth on each side. But all this major work truly took like 2 years in the making. I do not have the best dental coverage, but was able to make payments. But I totally feel your pain those needles are horrible, you would think it is 2009 we would have come further and do away with those horrible horrible needles. Now as far as gas I do not like the feeling. As far as extractions again I do not like being put to sleep I want to see what is going on so I always opted for needles, again at this point they do not bother me. I would probably have to say because I nearly had hundreds over the years. I do agree with Marilynk to try to take a form of a relaxtion pill to calm you down so that you can deal with the whole issue. On a final and funny note, the thing that bothered me more then anything was those damn cotton swabs. I could not and would not never ever want those things in my mouth. I always always panicked more about those things. I always felt when my mouth was so numb, I would swallow one of those things and just the feeling of the cotton swab, it goes right though me.. Anyway much good luck and I offer a sincere prayer that all goes well. Keep up posted. Peace. CAtherine

Well apparently there was a small mixup at the dentist. It seems they misunderstood what I wanted. They were going to do a "deep root debridement" with just novacaine and gas. She asked me if I was sure that was what I wanted to do and i said um Hell no! Noone told me you were gonna do that. Just that it was a basic cleaning and impressions for the partial. So, we reschedueled it for the 17th and I got valium for the night before and trasalam(sp) for the day of. So it is working out pretty well so far.

I guess since I have had so much dental work I know the code words....when they told you "periodontal cleaning" you thought just a cleaning, but I know from experience that that means a deep root cleaning.
I'm glad you didn't just do it and then have a bad experience and then never go back. That could have happened.
Take the medication they are offering. It will make the entire thing easier.
When you feel confident and calm, it will encourage you to keep going.

:hugs: you will get through this and be so much healthier and happier later.

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Well, I go in on Wednesday for my perio cleaning. I am already getting nervous. I have a very big dental phobia. But, knowing the valium is there for the night before is helping. I would really be a mess if I couldn't get any sleep that night for worrying.

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this type of dentistry? Did you feel anything? Were you scared? What did it feel like?

Hon try try to relax, perhaps say a few prayers, have some positive thoughts, take the relaxing medicine before , this way you will be relaxed, too give you what it feels like is not right, every single person has different feelings and different reactions, just like giving birth, we all have had different birthing experiences. Hon I offer a sincere prayer with my fingers and toes crossed all goes way.. May god watch over you and keep you safe. Will be thinking of you, keep us posted.. Peace. Hugs Hugs. CAtherine