Not sure how to take care of this
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
Mizzuno, I'm getting orthagnathic surgery in the next year or so. It's a combo of functional issues (TMJ) and cosmetic... I'll be using CareCredit to help finance it. But yours definitely sounds like it's more medically necessary... I'd think you could get coverage for it... way more than my insurance is going to cover. Definitely look into oral surgery insurance coverage, and I am looking into those supplemental insurance plans...
Check out CareCredit. It's a loan and not a donation, but it could pick up the slack where your donations leave off.
You can use your video and upload it into the donations website.
Check out CareCredit. It's a loan and not a donation, but it could pick up the slack where your donations leave off.
You can use your video and upload it into the donations website.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SoCal, California
Posts: 990
I would recommend you get a second and possibly a third opinion.
Anytime you have a major procedure like that you should get at least a second opinion.
I have been to good dental people and bad dental people.
Please talk to some new dental people. Believe it or not you can actually find decent dental services using Yelp.
Also, you might ask you primary doctor if they know of any dentists to recommend.
Anytime you have a major procedure like that you should get at least a second opinion.
I have been to good dental people and bad dental people.
Please talk to some new dental people. Believe it or not you can actually find decent dental services using Yelp.
Also, you might ask you primary doctor if they know of any dentists to recommend.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
In the UK there is a growing trend of people going to bulgaria to get dental work done. Apparently the cost of flying out there, including for after care is cheaper than having the work done in the UK. Mexico sounds good, but maybe try and get a recommendation.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
As for surgery in another country. I am not too keen on this. The current surgeon and my dentist are in close contact with one another regarding my case. They went to lunch and devised a plan for me. I agree that getting a second and third opinion is necessary. I'm going to my dentist on Thursday to talk about all of this, and to have a cavity filled. I know that the answer will come in time. The sooner the better.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,090
Hey Mizz. I have a family member that went through a somewhat similar situation and all but $2k was paid for by her major medical. I would think, a reputable oral surgeon would have advised you of this and contacted your insurance company with the information that, from your post, is clearly at least partially a medical condition.
If it were me? I'd contact the oral surgeon and ask them why they want you to hand over 20K and not go through your insurance company. Makes me go, hmmmmm.
If it were me? I'd contact the oral surgeon and ask them why they want you to hand over 20K and not go through your insurance company. Makes me go, hmmmmm.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
Thanks recieved. They ran the dental and told me that $1000.00 was covered. Then the rest was on me. This is medical. Implants are cosmetic right? I would get the implants to hold the appliances in though.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Originally Posted by Mizzuno 
Implants are cosmetic right?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,550
There must be some help available through various state, federal and local agencies to provide you with some assistance with your teeth and other problems. Contact your various social services reps or, if you are a student, your college service providers. If you have no money you can still get help.
W.
W.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,090
Originally Posted by Mizzuno
Thanks recieved. They ran the dental and told me that $1000.00 was covered. Then the rest was on me. This is medical. Implants are cosmetic right? I would get the implants to hold the appliances in though.
My relative didn't need any implants, she did however require two years of preoperative realigning of her teeth in order to go through the oral surgery necessary which was for jaw realigning and upper palate bone grafting.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
We have a large Lebanese community here in my area. Many of them take trips back home periodically, often for dental work. Most say they can fly to Beirut, get dental work completed and fly home cheaper than the Dentist across the street.
I would assume the same holds true in Mexico if you know where to go.
OOps .. hypochondriac beat me to it.
I saw a PBS show a while ago about cataract surgery in Africa I believe. Drs would come to the rural communities and do production line surgeries in school gyms. Cost about @$1.50.
Look around... ask around . Good luck.
Bob R
I would assume the same holds true in Mexico if you know where to go.
OOps .. hypochondriac beat me to it.
I saw a PBS show a while ago about cataract surgery in Africa I believe. Drs would come to the rural communities and do production line surgeries in school gyms. Cost about @$1.50.
Look around... ask around . Good luck.
Bob R
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic USA
Posts: 2,441
Originally Posted by Mizzuno
Thanks recieved. They ran the dental and told me that $1000.00 was covered. Then the rest was on me. This is medical. Implants are cosmetic right? I would get the implants to hold the appliances in though.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 3,550
Originally Posted by hypochondriac
In the UK there is a growing trend of people going to bulgaria to get dental work done. Apparently the cost of flying out there, including for after care is cheaper than having the work done in the UK. Mexico sounds good, but maybe try and get a recommendation.
W.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
I called the office and asked if they could run this on medical. I was told that if it was congenital then yes it is a medical expense. I looked up congenital disease, and you have to be born with a disease to have this covered. My grandmother, mother and brother including myself all have periodontal disease. The only way for anything to hold in my mouth is from implants and bone grafting. I am waiting to hear back from the office.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: east coast
Posts: 1,711
Are there any dental schools near you? When I lived in Long Island there was a college (Stonybrook) where you could have dental work (big and small) done for little to nothing by dental students. Of course, dentists were there for all procedures...
Nothing is impossible!
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: EAGAN
Posts: 792
Originally Posted by Mizzuno
I went to an Oral Surgeon on Thursday. I walked out with a treatment plan that will cost me $30,000.00 and that is only for his portion of the work. My dentist is also involved, and his fees will be somewhere around $10,000.00 I really am not sure how I will be able to afford this. This is what happens when your parents leave you to fend for yourself. This is why it is so important to take your children to the dentist and to address any issues immediately. As much as I have brushed, flossed, and took care of my teeth, the bone in my mouth is non existent. I have genetic Periodontal disease. I am not scared to lose my teeth, because I already lost many when I was 26. I am scared of not being able to afford new teeth because of the astronomical cost. I have looked for grants, and contests, and even looking into a loan. There is no way on gods green earth that I will walk around without teeth. My teeth were beautiful. So, I wanted to talk about this before I went and threw myself in a puddle of water, or threw myself into some unhealthy behavior that would leave me in trouble. I understand I didn't mention alcohol/ drugs in this post. I just need support, or ideas. :rotfxko
Mizzuno
Mizzuno
Clear Eyes Full Heart
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,272
I'm so sorry you got this news!! Sending good thoughts for great solutions your way. Also look in to technical schools, the one here has a dental program that I'm told is very reasonable. Can you barter at all? Work in the office filing or answer phones after hours?
Maybe you could set it up in stages and work it off?
Maybe you could set it up in stages and work it off?
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