Tooth & Gums

[dalthauser]

Yesterday I had gum surgery again.  All went well, and I'm always "rewarded" with a prescription of 15-20 Vicodin - which I milk as long as I can (what is it about that drug - I take one and everything is just peachy for a short while..... amazing).  I wish I could figure out what I could do to get that same feeling on my own.  Seriously.

My doctor asked if I would be interested in participating in an implant study he is doing for a company.  I could get an implant complete for about $1,100 (I'm assuming this is a good deal) all I'd have to do is come in for followups for a five year period.  I would love to do that as my missing tooth bothers me a great deal.  I just can't justify that kind of expense purely for vanity.  If I spent the money, there is a chance the implant could fail - then I'd have no tooth and out $1k plus.   As it is I spend an average of $500 a year on my mouth - and this is WITH dental insurance (I've had periodontal issues for the past 15 years).  

Comments

[joebanks.livejournal.com]

I have about (I don't even know how many) 7 crowns in my mouth. I could get two more tommorow if i wanted.

The whole thing of seperating the mouth from the rest of the body sucks. My Mom needs about $18,000 worth of dental surgery, but Medicare won't cover it because it's not a "medical" problem; it's dental.

Good luck, enjoy your Vicodin!

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Is that because you have good dental coverage? Crowns cost me about $200 something (after insurance).

I agree. It's ridiculous that core dental care (outside of aesthetic) is not part of medical. Especially Periodontal care since they've proven that the disease has a direct affect on heart disease. We can't even use out Medical Flex spending on dental care items which is a crock since it's our freaking money... :-)

I haven't had a filling in years - my mouth is a temple since my first perio appointment when the doc told me what I was up against. I brush, floss, use the proxa brush, waterpick, medicated rinse..... daily. I still have a resistance problem. The infection gets cleared out and it creeps right back. It wasn't until I got my latest doc that things have begun to even out. He has me on Doxycycline 2x a day "until further notice" (which is probably forever or as long as I have my teeth).

[holmes-sherlock.livejournal.com]

A good smoke of something other than what the government taxes or considers legal is always good for making things "just peachy for a short while." hehehe

Have a good day.

[mztasia.livejournal.com]

As a fellow "dental diva" who has an expensive mouth all I can say is: get more information on the inplant. If this is a research study there should be reams of information regarding it. Most research studies do not charge a patient for services, the physician/dentist might charge an office fee but typically no charge for said study and related items. 1K to participate in a study for a dental implant sounds high to me considering my endodontist will only charge me 1.5K per implant at standard rates (and thats including office vists).

[eats-veggies.livejournal.com]

Good to know. If I decided it was something I wanted to do, I would definately check into it. I really can't afford it. To be honest - if I wanted to make improvements I'd start with a tummy tuck :-)