Comments | poor_skills: Dental Colleges

tempestteapot in poor_skills

Dental Colleges

Jun 01, 2007 16:34

I broke a crown this morning and now I have to have it replaced.

Problem #1 The dentist I had it done at only guarantees it for one year (it's been 16 months) so he's not going to fix it for free.
Problem #2 My insurance company will only pay to get a crown done on the same tooth once every 8 years.

So I'm stuck paying for the whole darn thing.

I hate ( Read more... )

dental

Comments 37

finefinemusic June 1 2007, 23:41:38 UTC

My Mom does it and has lovely teeth.. it's all supervised, the teacher will not let them fuck it up!

tempestteapot June 1 2007, 23:54:31 UTC

That sounds better than the ego maniac/jerk dentist that did the work to start with :D He's ALWAYS right. *ugh*

erleichda June 1 2007, 23:43:26 UTC

My best friend does this and is actually really happy with the work. Just like medical interns, these students are supervised and advised at all times. The major draw back is that it takes about 4 times as long for them to do anything.

Also- do you clench or grind in your sleep? I have lost many a crown to this problem, but now that I have a mouthguard not only have I not had my normal crown problems, my speech has been better (I was starting to get a lisp) and I sleep better.

tempestteapot June 1 2007, 23:55:35 UTC

hmmm I don't know if I do...but this last month my hubby's been gone on a business trip and I've not slept well at all. This could be it.

(figures I WOULD break it the night he comes home eh?)

catmomma June 1 2007, 23:56:37 UTC

I agree on the mouth guard thing. I have one crown I have had to glue on myself 3 times (my dentist won't replace it and I can't afford it anyway). I have another one I chipped twice. I had no idea it is because I grind my teeth in my sleep! I got a mouth guard and here I am two years later and no broken teeth (knocking on wood right now). It has also improved my migraines, I don't get them as often.

tempestteapot June 1 2007, 23:59:25 UTC

wow. sounds like me....I've got 4 crowns I need to get/replace and suffer really bad migranes (there's nothing like having a dream where you have a splitting migraine)

Where do you get these mouthguards?

Thread 10

(The comment has been removed)

tempestteapot June 2 2007, 00:37:59 UTC

Well my regular dentist takes for BLEEDING ever. I once waited 2 hours IN THE CHAIR *sigh* They can't be much worse than that.

I'm willing to put up with the students learning curves...I mean they have to start somewhere. At least they don't have the 'know it all' attitude that my current dentist has.

Thank you

yiaya June 2 2007, 00:53:35 UTC

My time in the chair runs 3-4 hours, with my mouth open for 2-3 hours while having fillings done. (Bite blocks are the best!)

Overall I've had good experiences at the dental college programs. I just wish at times I could get in sooner. (Personal rant on having to wait for the filling to be replaced. It causes me pain every time I chew on it.)

Call now and get things started. Since it's near the end of the semester, they may not be taking patients, or there may be a waiting list. Once you get in your good to go for all of you dental needs. While I'm thinking about it, they will probably want to do an exam and possibly a cleaning before they take you as a patient for your crown which will add to the $$$ but, it will probably be cheaper than going to a regular dentist. Good luck!

yiaya June 2 2007, 00:36:11 UTC

I go to a local college for my dental work. As mentioned above, your appointment will be longer than at a normal dentist. Also since it is a college they will be on school schedule and you may not be able to get in immediately.

Since the students are learning they do make mistakes and things can get interesting (I've had instruments slip during cleaning and hit my teeth) On the plus side I've found that the students are into what they are doing, want to do a good job, and will answer any questions that you may have. The down side is that things may not go right the first time and will have to return for them to fix it. I'm having to do this with a filling that was replaced in April. I have to wait until July before it can be redone :(

If you can handle the amount of time involved, I'd go and do it. I've learned more about dentistry and if I ever go back to a regular dentist, I'm armed and have the knowledge to know what they are talking about.

sixdemonhag June 2 2007, 00:54:20 UTC

Talk to your insurance - they may be able to help you out with the dentist. My son's crown broke and the insurance said the the dentist was contracted to guarantee a crown for a certain amount of time, like 4 years or something. If he would not fix it, the insurance company would require him to return their payment so my son could go elsewhere for another crown. It's worth a shot anyway.