Does your dentist pressure you to get work done you can't afford?

I hate going to the dentist. Not because I have horrible problems but every time I go she tries to pressure me into getting an implant for a back molar I lost years ago. First her office told me that my dental insurance would cover it so I scheduled a consultation. I double checked and found out none of it would be covered, it's considered cosmetic. The next time I saw her she said "well we wouldn't want you to jeopardize your dental health because of money"....I don't have $4,000 to replace a tooth. Then she wanted me to put in a bridge, which I found out later was also considered cosmetic and not covered by my insurance. Then she wanted me to buy a custom retainer. I have had no problems with the loss of this tooth. I wish she would just stop. Has anyone else had their dentist keep pressuring you to do work you can't afford?
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Your dentist is just trying to advise you as to what would be best for you. She would not be very good if she wasn't concerned about your dental health. Who you should really be angry with is your insurance company. There is no way replacing a missing molar is considered cosmetic. It is totally for function and to prevent future damage to your other teeth. It is malpractice for the insurance company to try and get out of paying this claim with a falsehood like this. They should be reported to the state insurance commission.
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How can I get my dad to take going to the dentist seriously?

So me and my sister haven't been to the dentist in years... We have dental insurance (2 cleanings a year are fully covered). A while ago there weren't any dentist in our area who took our insurance now there is but we still don't go. I have been asking my dad when we are gona go and he does not seem to concerned about it.... Hes like why would you want to go to the dentist... Why would you want somebody to pick at your teeth?? Well I think I have a wisdom tooth comming in, that is going to need attention. Also I would like to have the dentist talk to my parents about how important getting braces are. Also my sisters been complaining that her teeht hurt on and off. I just don't get it, it dosen't even cost any money so what is the problem?? I mean why do we have insurance (we have ortho. insurance too) if we are not going to use it?? Its not like I can just call a dentist and make my own appointment either (esepecially if I have issues that need to be discussed with my parents).
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Go to this website: www.komonews.com and look up the story about the woman that was convicted of not taking her son to the dentist. This was just on their website a couple of weeks ago. This news station is in Seattle. Show your dad the story. Maybe that will convince him to make the appointment.
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Root canal needed? I have a very intense pain and it settles down after a cycle of antibiotic.?

Last week, I had an intense toothache on a Molar that had a deep tooth filling a month ago. During tooth filling, the nerve was exposed and the dentist prescript me some antibiotic. At that time, I didn't finish all antibiotic that I supposed to finish. It was OK until 3 weeks after the filling. I had a very intense pain. It was a thanksgiving weekend so I called my dentist and he prescript me some antibiotic. I finish the whole antibiotic cycle and my pain goes away. Today is the third day after I stop the antibiotic. That molar is painless and I can even chew with it. I make an appointment with my dentist this Friday. Should I do root canal as soon as I can? I don't have dental insurance currently but if it is needed to be done I am willing to do it. If it can be untreated for 1-2 years I would wait until I got a job that offers me dental insurance. Any opinion on this? Thanks!
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HAVE THE NERVE REMOVED NOW TO GET YOU OUT OF PAIN, AND THE CASE FINISHED AT A LATER, TIMELY DATE WHEN FINANCES ARE BETTER FOR YOU. THIS PROCEDURENIS CALLED NERVE EXTIRPATION AND WILL CEASE THE PAIM, YET IF YOU LET IT GO AND NEVER FINISH THE ROOT CANAL YOU WILL EVENTUALLY LOSE THIS TOOTH.
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Is it safe for a toddler to get a crown?

Okay, Here is my problem. I brought my two year old daughter to a pediatric dentist here in Sugar land area with Dr. Ben Villalon. He did an evaluation and let me know that my daughter has an under bite, and aside from that my daughter needs 8 crowns. He advised me that it is better to put a stainless crowns on her instead of a crown that looks like a real teeth because of her under bite. My question is it safe for a 2 year old girl to have her 8 teeth get crown and is it safe for her to go under anesthesia? I feel guilty because I let her go to sleep with a bottle on her mouth, and that's the reason why she needed a crown because of cavities. I need your advice and if this is the only way to solve her dental issue would you still let her go under anesthesia and have the crowns on her even if she is only 2 years old. If you are a pediatric dentist, assistant and have any dental background about dental field please give me some helpful tips and advice. It will cost like around $2,790 but we have a dental insurance.
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8 crowns on a 2 year old? WOW! Did you not know it's horrible to put your kid to bed with a bottle?? As for as crowns go, they are temporary for young kids like that since their teeth will change and a stainless crown is more price effective. I hope the only thing your kid gets in his/her bottle at night now is only water. I would definitely take her to a pediatric dental office to get this done as they can accommodate young kids better since they have all the equipment they need and the right sizes.
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Anyone recommends a place to get braces in the OC area?

okay so i'm 19 years old, and i just got a job, the first thing on my list other than get my own car is to get braces. i have considered western dental but i've heard bad things about it. can anyone recommend me a place? oh and by the way. i dont have insurance
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When I did mine the first time I went to the Western on Katella in Anaheim and I never had any problems.
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Where and to whom do I write?

Does anybody know the appropriate place and person to send a letter or petition concerning Medicare reform? I have a petition signed by a lot of people who feel that Medicare should cover dental work. People on Medicare are retired elderly people or people with a disability who cannot work. Dentists will not work on your teeth unless you pay for the work when it is done. Nobody I know (myself included) on Medicare has $4,000 at the ready for a crown. I currently need in excess of $8,000 worth of dental work done and my dentist will not do anything about it because I cannot pay him up front and he will not let me make monthly payments. It's not that I do not take care of my teeth. I had great teeth until I became disabled and had to start taking several medications which cause dry mouth, which causes decay (at a rapid pace) I am only 47 yrs. old and now I am going to have to sit here while my teeth rot out of my head because I have no dental insurance and cannot afford it.....I cannot afford to have my teeth fixed....even the dental school wants payment when services are rendered and while they are 40% cheaper, I don't have 40% of $8,000 anymore than I have the $8,000. To whose attention do I bring this and send this petition?
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They know about it, and they don't care. I can remember when they also didn't cover glasses after cataract surgery, isn't it wonderful to think that we, in this country don't care if the elderly see? Thank heaven for the operation that changed their need. If not the government. In the meantime, if you have a credit card, many dentists take that, otherwise you may have to have the teeth pulled, a full denture is cheaper than a partial, and way cheaper than a crown, not an ideal solution, but that's the best that can be offered right now. Don't lose your hearing either.
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My mouth/teeth hurt soooooooooo bad?

About a week ago I started noticing bad pain in my lower left molar area. As a brief history, I used to suffer from bulimia so I'm used to dental pain - and actually the embarassment of the cause of the problems made me refrain from dental care for a LONG time. It is so bad that I actually called to find about going to a dentist (it's been years, i know, that's bad) but my dental insurance doesnt kick in until May 1. I called to try to schedule an appointment asap after the 1st, and every dentist i've called said it wont be until JUNE. I can't even wait five days I sure cant wait over a month. I tried to tell them it was an emergency, that i cant eat, cant sleep, cant do anything, but they said june is their first available for new paitents. should i go to the ER? what could they do to me? I know I have an absess as well as 2 broken teeth and wisdom teeth pushing through. I know they'll probably say make a dental appt, but can they do anything to help in the meantime?
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I'm sorry, that REALLY sucks!! EVERY dentist I've ever been to has an emergency policy! Keep calling around, SOMEONE has to be able to get you in. Just GO there (to the dentist, not the ER) if you have to!!
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