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Why have dental insurance if it doesn’t make implants more affordable?

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I’ve recently been exploring my options to replace a couple of missing teeth and I think implants are my best option. I have dental insurance, so I figured they would pay for at least half the cost, which was going to make it much more affordable for me. My dentist just called with the estimate and my insurance is hardly covering anything. What’s the deal? Should I call them and see if I can get more? — Marissa

Marissa,
Unfortunately, that is pretty much the norm for most dental insurance companies. There are some plans that will pay for 50 percent of the cost of the crown, if you meet the deductible and then there are some that won’t cover anything.

Insurance companies typically don’t pay for the best possible treatment. You can try and find a plan that might cover more, but be careful and pay close attention to the fine print because there are often waiting periods or a “missing tooth clause.” This could mean that the new insurance might not pick up treatment right away, or they could refuse to pay for missing teeth altogether.

Have your dentist office submit a pre-authorization to the insurance company. That way, you and the office will know exactly what insurance will pay for each service. If it’s still not enough, talk to your dentist about the possibility of making payments for each part of the procedure or a monthly payment plan. They may also be able to find some programs that will help you finance the total amount. Also, ask your dentist about other treatments (i.e. snap-on dentures) that might fit your budget better.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can I wait till Monday or should I see an emergency dentist?

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I recently started having a jaw ache that I was pretty sure was related to the implant I’ve had for about a year. Because I knew it didn’t feel right, I immediately went back to my implant doctor so he could evaluate it. Needless to say, he said he didn’t see anything wrong and that I had nothing to worry about. Since he is an implant specialist, I assumed I could trust his judgement. This weekend I woke up and fixed some breakfast. When I started to eat, it was quickly apparent something was very wrong because there was a bad taste in my mouth that I have never experienced before. I felt the tooth and it seems a little loose, so I looked at it in the mirror and there is pus oozing out all around the implant. I am absolutely freaked out! Of course it’s the weekend… should I call an emergency dentist or should I wait for my implant doctor to get back in the office on Monday? — Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen,
Oh my… this does sound like a serious situation. Even though you think your implant dentist doesn’t work on the weekends, you should try calling because he may be “on-call” for things like this or his voice mail might at least give an emergency number to call. Hopefully he will get back to you in a short amount of time, but if not, you should absolutely see an emergency dentist. From what you describe, it sounds like you have an infection – and it’s probably been getting worse all along. You need treatment immediately, not only to ensure the implant doesn’t completely fail, but also to make sure your overall health isn’t compromised. Depending on exactly what the emergency dentist determines in the examination, he will likely at the very least prescribe an antibiotic for the infection. If it’s loose, he could also splint it to hold it in place. He may not be able to offer a long-term solution, but at least he can help you keep the infection from spreading until you can get in to see your implant dentist.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can I find more affordable dental implants?

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I have several missing teeth and I refuse to smile anymore because I am so embarrassed about how I look. I want to get implants, but the dentist I recently visited quoted me $5000. That is so much more than I was expecting and I really don’t think I can afford it. Is it possible to find a dentist who will do implants at a more affordable cost?  — Mary

Mary,
There’s no doubt that $5000 is a lot of money, but it will certainly be very difficult to find another dentist who will make implants more affordable than the quote you were given. In fact, it almost sound too good to be true, and here’s why…

Dental implants are a two-stage process: 1) the surgical placement of the posts, and 2) placing the top of the tooth (crown) to the implant once is has fully integrated with your jawbone. While there will be some variation in cost depending on the quality of the materials, the expertise of your dentist and even where you live, you should expect to pay (at minimum) $1,000 per tooth being replaced for each stage. When you do the math for three teeth, that’s a cost of at least $6000. But consider this: some dentists can run as high as $2500 per tooth for each stage for a total of $15,000.

The first thing you need to do is verify with this dentist that the quote you were given is your total out-of-pocket expense for all procedures and materials. And make sure that he is doing three full, traditional dental implants. It could be that he is quoting you something else – like a bridge, a partial or even mini implants. Being fully prepared and informed means there will be no unpleasant surprises in the end.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about  why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

What can I do to make implants more affordable?

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I don’t have dental insurance, so haven’t been to the dentist in a long time. I finally had to break down and go because of a tooth that has been causing all sorts of problems. My dentist wants to remove the tooth and place an implant. I really want to do this so my tooth will stop hurting, but I can’t afford the cost of the implant. I’m considering purchasing one of those online discount insurance plans. Will it help pay for some of the implant?  — Mark in Idaho

Mark,
Even if you have a traditional dental insurance plan, most don’t guarantee any coverage for dental implants. Before you definitely decide to purchase a discount insurance plan, make certain that your dentist is in the network and they will abide by the fees listed in the plan. Get online and check the fee list (the discounted cost of treatment you will be paying for) or call and ask if a treatment is covered.  It could be that the implant surgery itself may not be covered, the restorative phase is. This will reduce your out of pocket cost for the implant, plus, you’ll reap the benefits of savings on other dental coverages.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

I’ve had it with dentures that don’t fit!

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I’ve had my dentures now for about two years and I am just sick of them! Even when I have them adjusted by my dentist (which is quite frequently) my mouth is still sore and what’s even worse, I can hardly speak or eat. I’m ready to throw them in the garbage and just forget about them because I am pretty sure my dentist is tired of me complaining all the time. He told me that it won’t get any better and I should just get used to it. Do I really have to live with ill-fitting dentures for the rest of my life?  — Randy in Illinois

Randy,
It certainly is no fun to have dentures that interfere with your daily activities and affect your quality of life. There is a procedure that can help and it’s called “all-on-fours.” Your dentist may not have mentioned it to you because it’s a procedure he may not do.

All-on-fours are dental implants that help support your denture. If this is something that interests you, find a dentist who is knowledgeable in implant-supported dentures who can place four individual implants that will evenly distribute the pressure from the denture. All-on-fours are a long-term solution that will provide better security, restore your ability to talk and eat without the fear of your dentures falling out, and even better, they can stop or at least slow the jaw bone shrinkage that happens when you lose all your teeth.

Ask your dentist about all-on-fours. If he is unable to do them, he can refer you to a specialist who can help determine if they are right for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

New dental implants done overseas hurt ALL the time. Can they be removed?

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I had 4 dental implants overseas and now they ALL the time. I can’t believe that all of them hurt. The pain is not intense but it is moderate and very uncomfortable. It’s been 10 months since I had them done and I can’t afford to keep going in and out of the country for the dentist there to get it right. I want to cry because I am so frustrated, and I am embarrassed for taking the risk and having thing turn out so wrong. Can the implants be removed? What’s involved? – T.M.

T.M. – We are sorry to hear about the difficulty you are experiencing with your dental implants.

An experienced implant dentist will examine your implants and if necessary, remove them. An incision will made to expose the implants. The implant dentist will gently remove the gum tissue off of the bone. An attachment will be used to carefully remove the implants without damaging the bone.

If the bone is firmly attached to the implant, the bone may need to be weakened to remove the implant. Bone grafting will be needed to build back the bone. In four to five months, new bone will grow and new implants can be placed.

Before you select an implant dentist verify the amount of training and experience he or she has in implant dentistry and implant removal. Ensure that your questions are answered and your concerns are addressed. You should also consider getting the opinion of two different implant dentists.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Loose dental implant

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I had 3 dental implants fitted in April and one has come a bit loose. Can this be dangerous or is just like a loose tooth that will fall out later? – Janet

Janet – Dental implants should not become lose or fall out. A loose implant is a sign of dental implant failure. Have you had any follow-up visits with your implant dentist to check the progress of your implants?

A dental can become loose if it is improperly placed, if cheap implant fixtures are used, or if you have inadequate bone density to support the implant. You should schedule an appointment with your implant dentist right away. If the dental implant has failed, it will need to be completely redone.

If you prefer, you can get a second opinion from an experienced implants. He or she will examine the implant and let you know your treatment options.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read about his Top Dentist award from his peers, and find out why his patients consider him to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

How do you know if your dental implant is messed up or failing?

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How do you know if your dental implant is messed up or failing? – Melanie

Melanie – There are several indicators of dental implant failure.

  • Infection – Infection can result from implants that were improperly placed or poorly fitted.
  • Loose implants – Cheap implant fixtures can cause the implants to loosen. Implants can also loosen if there isn’t enough bone density to support them, or if replacement teeth are prematurely loaded onto them.
  • Nerve impairment – Numbness, pain, and tingling that persist can result from improper placement of the implants. Nerves in the jaw can be pinched and cause persistent problems.
  • Puncture of other body structure – The nose, sinus, or the area of your lower jaw and beneath your tongue can be punctured and result in much discomfort.

If you suspect that your dental implants have failed, notify your implant surgeon. You may prefer to get a second opinion from an experienced implant dentist.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why so many patients think he is the best dentist in New Orleans.

What should I expect after dental implant surgery?

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I am considering getting dental implants but I want to know as much about the whole process as possible. After dental implant surgery, how will I feel/what should I expect? – Kent

Kent – After your dental implant surgery, for 24 to 48 hours, you may experience minor bleeding around the implant site. You will be instructed not to sip through a straw, spit, or rinse your mouth, because these actions can increase bleeding.  But you should stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. You should avoid physical exertion, which can result in more bleeding.

Your gums and face may be swollen after surgery, and your jaw muscles may feel tight. You may notice bruising on your face and gums. Slight elevation of your body temperature may occur. It is persists, notify your implant surgeon.

Antibiotics may be prescribed. Depending on the complexity of the surgery and the level of pain anticipated, you may also receive a prescription for pain medication. Many patients are comfortable with over-the-counter pain reliever.

It may be recommended that you eat soft foods during the initial phase of healing, which can last up to two weeks.  During the entire healing period, avoid foods such as nuts, seeds, or popcorn, which can get lodged between your teeth and gums. The sticthes at the implant site should dissolve within two weeks or less.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to the healing process. Tobacco use should be avoided, because it interferes with the healing process.

We recommend that you have a few consultations with experienced implant dentists. The consultation will allow you to ask questions about the procedure, and the implant surgeon’s credentials and experience.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Find out why many consider him to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Need some advice on teeth implants

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The crowns on my teeth implants look fake. I’ve had them for almost three years and I hate them. My dentist says that I’m being too picky, and that I should give it some time. How much more time do I need after three years? Am I being unreasonable, or am I right to make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist? – Nyesha T., New Orleans – Metairie

Nyesha,

A cosmetic dentist has appreciation for aesthetics. He or she wants you to have a beautiful smile that you love—not one that you have to get used to in order to like it. When the crowns on your dental implants don’t look natural, a cosmetic dentist can help.

Porcelain crowns can and should have the translucency and color of your natural teeth. And when you have dental implants, no one should be able to tell that they are replacement teeth.

A cosmetic dentist will work with you to ensure that you love the look of your new smile.

This blog is brought to you by the office of New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie. Dr. Delaune has received post-graduate training specific to the placement of dental implants.