Soooo expensive

[ashesgap]

So, in a few months I'll have my braces off and be ready for my canine implants. I went and saw a new dentist and got a quote...$4200. That's what I'll pay out of pocket. Now I was thinking more like $3000, so 1200 more was a bit of a shock, and the total is after my insurance pays about 1600. Does that seem high? It includes all the x-rays and stuff, but still, it's a lot. The whole thing makes me nervous, but the cost is really adding to the stress.

[vincent168]

So total 4 teeth? Seems pretty cheap, my dentist does it for 2750 each

[ashesgap]

No, sorry, just uppers.

[vincent168]

Hmm well seem around the same price as mine, perhaps you can choose cheaper options? Implants are the most expensive way to replace teeth, although arguably the best.

[ashesgap]

Since they are canines, implants will be the most natural looking. Sticker shock got me.

[kaddessi]

I'm curious...why are you are getting implants? I had my baby canines pulled and we plan to do the exposure surgery sometime this year. Was the exposure and pulling down of your adult canines not successful?

[ashesgap]

I am actually missing my laterals. Since one of my canines was already in place, we moved the other into the lateral spot as well. They've always been kind of in the wrong spots, so they're worn down and not pointy or anything. Some people just get all the teeth pulled together making the pre-molars a faux canine, my ortho thought that might flatten my profile too much. He kindly pointed out my (Italian) nose was as far out as it should be according to my chin.
I'm actually excited about getting some pointy canines....I'm sure I'll get over the cost in the next few months. I'll have a talk with the ortho about median costs in the area. Maybe living in the tiny town our previous base was located got me used to lower costs.

[sirwired]

I know that if I ever needed new teeth, I'd choose implants in a heartbeat over any other option; there is simply no comparison. Implants are superior in every way except cost.

[ArchWired28]

Actually, $4200 for 2 implants seem dirt cheap to me. Since I was quoted $3100 for one implant and I need 2, so double the number. And this is the disounted price negotiated by my insurance company, the original price would be $4200 for one implant.

I have gotten quite a few estimates in the area and $4000 for one implant seems to be the average price. If you can get 2 for $4200 I would say grab it and be very happy. At least I would have been

[ashesgap]

Newest decision...Use an oral surgeon or Perio to do the implants.
Made me feel instantly better, and more confident. In my head I knew it was a good idea, but hearing my new Ortho adamantly agree with me really helped. I hadn't even thought about it, taking for granted that my old Ortho had a visiting Oral sergeon in his office twice a month. Meeting another new dentist tomorrow, and then the oral surgeon next week. Since I have a few months left, at least, I have plenty of time to meet a few more if I need to.

[ashesgap]

Well both my new ortho and new dentist agree that if the oral surgeon says my roots have moved out of the way, I am ready to get my braces off. I'll be getting a 3-D x-ray next Tuesday, then see the oral sergeon on Thursday. I'll get a price quote from him as well, so I'm hoping it's at least close to what the other dentist quoted.

[TheChico]

My mom's were 2000 each in cali.

[ashesgap]

3-D x-ray took 40 seconds. Very easy, and very cool to look at. We'll see what the doc says tomorrow....I want these off so bad. *Fingers Crossed*

[ashesgap]

Well the Oral surgeon was much better than the dentist. He was completely thorough, and reassuring. It just felt like he really knew what he was doing, and was completely honest about what I can and can't have done.
First, I have room for 3.5mm implants, plenty of length and absolutely no bone loss. Even though there has never been a tooth on the right side. Talking with the assistant, who was also wonderful, I decided on intravenous sedation. That way it all moves quicker, for me at least.
So I go back to my Ortho next Friday and she will have gotten the letter from Dr. B saying he has all the room he needs, then she can for sure say when the braces come off. I'm guessing just a few weeks, since my previuos Ortho dang near finished everything. Some minor tweaks to my upper four front teeth, and the braces are banished for life.
Cost wise it is a little more expensive, but two things make that ok. One, he's a specialist, and I do not mind paying for his expertise. Two, my insurance is going to cover a huge portion. First United Concordia will cover $940 of the implants, since that's all that left of my yearly $1200. But (and here's where I lucked out) our military dental is being taken over by MetLife in May, so I'll get another $1500 to help with the crowns. Here's a break down of cost, for future reference of others getting this done.
2 Implants total, including sedation: $4,620 after Insurance I pay $2,840
2 Crowns and attachments: $4,068. After insurance set prices $2,728 after MetLife sets in that second cost will hopefully come down by $1,500.
My costs here a little lower than some, because my dentist and surgeon use only approved prices from United Concordia. Also, they don't know yet if my sedation is covered or not, so the cost right now is including that. Maybe it'll drop another four or five hundred.
Really hoping this helps other people on here, because I know how anxious all this can make people. Especially the high cost of it all.