I am twenty years old and unfortunately, have never been to a dentist. My parents could not afford dental insurance and sadly, my teeth have suffered. I was never taught proper dental care (I didn’t know you were supposed to floss daily) and only brushed once in the morning.

My two front teeth have a cavity between them, so large that it has created a very ugly, uneven gap. The two lateral incisors have basically almost completely rotted away and there are cavities forming in the incisors next to those as well. Two molars in the back have completely rotted, leaving only large brown holes in my gums.

The saddest part about this is that I was voted "Best Smile" in elementary school. : [

What’s even worse is that my wisdom teeth are about to come in. I can feel it.

I have done much research on the procedures that I will need done. For example, I know I will need extractions on my four front teeth, a root canal on two of my molars, fillings in probably 8 teeth, crowns on a few others, and I would like to get implants in the four teeth that are extracted. All of this, based on my research, would cost ,000 or more. I did the calculations to be safe.

I have CareSource but they do not cover more than two dentist appointments a year unless you have a certain condition and they stop covering cosmetic procedures after you turn 21 (I’m not sure as to why, it’s all pretty messed up).

Are there any places in Ohio that are offering smile makeover contests, free dental procedures at dental schools, or any other things of the sort? I really need this fixed before June 2010 as I am supposed to get married.

Need advice from all of you that have knowledge about this:
I have a premolar on the lower side that the dentist said needs a root canal (I used to have a crown over it,so it is very weakened) ,then a missing molar,then another missing molar.Dentist wants to do a root canal to the premolar,then put a crown over then an implant to the next molar so I can eat on that side .I was wondering since the premolar is weakened , will the implant be strong enough?I heard you have to have very good teeth and bones to have a good implant . Is it better to just extract the premolar and put a partial denture which will be also less expensive . Money is a concern for me ,but at the same time I want the best at the most affordable price.Thanks.

My employer does not offer dental insurance, but I do have medical for which I pay around 140/month. I would like to pay around the same for my dental. I only need an individual plan, not family. And I also live in massachusetts. I think going to the dentist without insurance is a rip off. They are really the most expensive for common work.
I do have some serious work that needs to get done like finishing up a root canal and such. I don’t have the best teeth. I want to make sure that If I have any more major issues, its not going to end up costing 00.00 dollars.

I live in the State of Washington and my employer does not offer Dental insurance until march 2010 . I need a root canal and extraction done on a few teeth it’s at the emergency level . Is it possibly to purchase an individual plan from some insurance company just so I can get in the door . 99% of dentists won’t even talk to you without insurance and I don’t blame them . I don’t care if I end up paying 1000’s of dollars I just need to get the work done does anyone know an insurance like this and if so will generally a dentist accept it and do the work and take payments ? Sorry if this makes little sense im in a lot of pain .

So I’ve been researching dental insurance in my area. (S. Florida Metro - Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/Palm Beach)

I’ve received a quote from a dental HMO that provides the following;
Individual Premium per month - 11.95$
No Wating Period
No Plan Maximum
No Deductable.
As examples of coverage;
Cleanings are no charge.
Fillings for one surface are 25$ for composite fillings. Standard silver fillings are no charge.
Crowns run between 245$-300$
Endodontics/Root Canals run between 110$ and 345$
Periodontic services run between 110$ and 300$ for surgical services.
Non surgiacal periodontic services run between 38$ and 65$
Dentures and bridges are fairly priced between 300$ and 425$
Extractions run between 30$ and 100$
The only place they really get you is with orthodontics.

Now let’s look at a PPO.

Individual Coverage is between 30$ and 42$ a month for basically the same services between plans, with large waiting periods, tiny plan maximums, and really not that great of coverage.

(Cont.)
My boyfriend needs a 3 fillings and a root canal and possibly a crown in the future. They cover 50% of the root canal, which would stick us with a 500$ bill. They cover 50% of a crown, which would stick us with another 500$ bill and we’ve reached our plan maximum of 1,000$, which is the largest plan maximum I’ve found.

Am I basically paying an obscene amount and tiny maximums with a PPO to go to a larger network of dentists? What’s the difference? Why should I pick a PPO over a HMO?
When it comes to orthodontics, which may also be something we consider in the future, the PPO isn’t able to provide a significant advantage over a HMO. The HMO’s charge around 1,000$ flat for orthodontic treatment. PPO’s either don’t cover orthodontics at all or only pay 25%.

Can anyone shed any light on the differences and why they exist?
So basically, I’m correct in that all I’m paying for is a larger network of dentists? There’s plenty of HMO providers in the area which are accepting patients. There’s nearly a dozen within 5 miles of my home.
And by the way, idiots need not reply. Christ you people are stupid.
Could a dentist possibly imput their .02 on this issue? Why do you choose to go with a HMO network? Why do you choose to go with a PPO network?
Up until recently, I’ve shared the same feeling, that in general, PPO insurance is better than HMO insurance.

It seems to me like this applies only with health insurance. I still feel the same way, go with PPO for health. But with Dental insurance, there is an amazing discrepancy. I was SO blown away at the differences.

This is simply an individual dental coverage plan with no bearing on my medical insurance. I have Tricare/Humana through my father and United Healthcare through my office. United Healthcare’s dental is the PPO I outlined, and I actually have only a 750$ per calender year with my office’s dental plan, and they cover NO major dental work, not even extractions. That’s NOTHING.

I live in Queens NY and I have no dental insurance. My mother works but she doesn’t make a good amount and my father is unemployed. She has medical insurance, Aetna, but it doesn’t cover dental and I need to have 1 stupid root canal done and it will cost 2000 w/o insurance. Anybody, I need help. I am also a student in college, so any help, I really need it.

I am self employed and pay for my own insurance. I go through Carefirst Blue Choice, however, their plan only offers the dental network plan, which allows me to receive a discount when I go to the dentist. I need actual dental insurance so I don’t have to spend 0 every time I need a filling or 00 every time I need a root canal (I have a condition with my teeth that causes me to get these often). What can I do? I’ve been doing research, but not having any luck. Any Dentist’s out there have good advice?

my family needs to finsd a dental plan where we can all be seen whenever we need and then are billed by the dentist after the dentist has billed the insurance. this day in age who can really afford to pay all upfont for dental care, esspecially when your broke and all the sudden you need a root canal and are in pain any suggestions?

I have a problem right now with my teeth, need two root canal and 7 cavities, which the dentist estimate in 00. Should i get a dental insurance and which? Blue Cross, Delta Dental…. or suggestions.

I’m 20 years old and I am in bad need of insurance. I really need dental insurance because I need a root canal and when I turned 18 and could no longer be on my mother’s insurance I had no choice but to not get the root canal. And I desperately need it done. Where can I go to find quality but affordable health & dental insurance for my age? I live in Alabama.