Archive for July, 2009

Dental implants and dental insurance

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

It’s looking like I may need dental implants. But they’re kind of expensive. Will dental insurance help pay for them?
- Gary from Pennsylvania

Gary,
Most dental insurance plans will provide coverage for dental implants, but not much coverage. Their interests are different from your interests. Your interests are to have a restoration that will prevent your jaw from shrinking because of missing teeth, and providing the maximum comfort and function for yourself. Their interest is in saving money and increasing their profitability, which is understandable. So they will usually pay a percentage based on the least expensive option for replacing missing teeth, which is generally a removable appliance. Removable appliances are the most uncomfortable dental restoration, but they consider that your problem, not theirs.

Related links:
Read about the pros and cons of dental implants vs removable partials
Dr. Goldstein discusses the options for replacing missing teeth

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My dental bridge didn’t last

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

I had a bridge replacing one tooth, and it had two more teeth attached. This was done in 2004. In 2007 it came off and my dentist recemented it. Now, in July 2009, it has come off again but he has told me that the tooth that has the crown is dead and I have to surgically have it removed because it is brittle.

Did the crown cause this? What do I do with three teeth missing now? He suggested implants. What do you suggest? HELP. It is very noticeable when I smile.
- Debbie from Wisconsin

Debbie,
If you take good care of a dental bridge, it should last for many years. Five years is a minimum standard set by many insurance companies – if it doesn’t last for five years, they won’t pay any benefits on its replacement. I’m wondering why the bridge came loose after only three years, and why now, after only five years in service it appears to have failed.

I think a second opinion would be a good idea.

But your case illustrates one of the advantages of replacing missing teeth with dental implants. When you have a bridge, there are three teeth involved. If there is any problem with the bridge, you have to re-treat all three teeth. With a dental implant, you don’t touch the adjacent teeth, and the maintenance and long-term care is simpler.

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