Question:
After I get my tooth extracted I have to have either a bridge or tooth
implant. Why doesn't insurance cover tooth implants? What should I expect
with a tooth implant? Are there problems that might arise from such a
procedure?
Answer:
1) What is covered and what is not covered is determined solely by the
contract signed by the employer (or trade union, business association,
etc.). It is determined by the amount of premium they are willing to pay.
Anything can be a covered benefit at any level of reimbursement if the group
is willing to pay for the premium.
2) With an implant, expect to pay at least $3K for one tooth (total
treatment from surgeon and dentist). Expect good function on the tooth when
done.
3) Problems which could arise are the same ones that could arise from any
minor dental surgery and restoration. Nothing unusual. These are no big
deal.
If you can afford it, get the implant, as there should be no fitting
problems or damage to other teeth as a result of a bridge. My wife has
a bridge (2 teeth gap I think) and she hates it. On the other hand,
one CAN get a good bridge which may be better than my wife's and not
bother you.
You might consider doing what I'm doing, which is to go to a major
dental school to get the implant. The oral surgery is done by students
who are already practicing dentists, and under strict supervision. You
will save about 50% at most schools.
Would the result be as good as private practise?
Since late summer 2003, I have been helping a relative (who has very
limited Enlgish + poor on basic dental care knwoeldge unitl she got to
this country started wanting prettier teeth) with serious issues. She
had her 4 front teeth (was loose due to childhood accident) removed in
January 2003 and was on partial - she belived the dentist was chreating
her but I think there was some miscommunication since the American lady
helping her was doing a poor job. She just waited for me as I was
moving to this state.
Her teeth has rotated due to bone loss, the dentist I found for her,
after cleaning, root planing, cavity fiiling, leaving the crown work
and wisdom teeth removal for later, required her to put the brace on
(at an orthodontists) before getting implant done (at a surgeon
office). He wasn't going to work with her unless she does brace work.
These were all discussed during consultation but she was a pain in the
a*s wanting to avoid the brace stage, and wants to get to the
destination quickly.
The plan was to coordinate with the surgeon for the dental implant.
But, from the beginning, she was concern about dental implant being
permanent, ie. it would go to the grave with the rest of her body. But
I kept telling her about the benefit.
In recent months, she has changed her mind and decided to do bridge.
Her family who was helping her financially also decided that she should
not do implant due to cost.
Since it involve financial reason, I kind of gave up pushing about the
implant as the stress level of helping these relatives who don't
appreciate and take me for granted had worn me out. She is a visitor
and has no dental insurance. The bill is footed by older siblings.
The coordinating with the dentist (verey good dentist) she goes to for
her bridge work has recenlty started.
She has been on brace for 2 years and about to get off the brace.
Since I have put so much effort in this project and don't like the idea
of neighbor teeth getting damaged for bridge work, I am extremely
interested in dental implant at 50% of market rate at a dental school.
I know that it would be a lot of more work for me to take her and do
the talking. But I would like to try convincing her and make
arrangment for her though I am not sure whether her dentist would be
pleased about this.
I would really appreciate it if any of you can give me some contact
information of the dental school(s)? (I moved to this state 2 years
ago). We are in Sacramento, CA about 2 hours from San Fracisco. We are
close to UC davis too but I don't believe they have a dental school.
