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The Affordable Dentist

The Affordable Dentist

by | Dec 5, 2011 | Cavities, Cavity, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry, Periodontal Disease, Tooth Decay, Toothache

Let’s face it: seeing a doctor – any sort of doctor – can be expensive. And dentists are no exception. But if a person’s diet and home care have been lacking, the cost of dental treatment can quickly sky-rocket. One of the problems with dental care has to do with the fact that many patients still suffer from the idea that if they don’t feel anything wrong with their teeth, then all is well.

Unfortunately, when it comes to teeth, most people miss the boat entirely with this concept. The reason is simple: the outer part of the tooth – the enamel – is mostly mineral and has no nerves. That means you can have a cavity and not know it. Several, actually. Most dentists will attest to the fact that many patients are shocked to learn they have any cavities at all.

The trouble is that by the time a cavity actually gets big enough to pose a problem, it’s a PROBLEM. For most people that trouble is spelled P-A-I-N.

It’s really no small wonder that so many individuals associate going to the dentist with toothaches. For those patients, it is the only time they will actually make an appointment. They go because they now know they have a cavity. Pain is a huge motivator. . . .

By the time a tooth hurts, though, the cavity is usually pretty close to the nerve. This means that if there is still enough tooth structure left to work with, the dentist may consider a root canal to remove the source of the pain – in other words – the nerve. Usually, this is not cheap. A root canal on a molar can cost over a thousand dollars when performed by a specialist. Then the patient has to go back to the dentist to have the tooth built up again (because so much tooth structure was lost to decay) and finally, the tooth may even need a crown. Lacking a blood supply and nerve thanks to the root canal, the tooth is now brittle and can break. Since your back teeth get a lot of pressure when you chew, failing to crown it may result in the tooth cracking and all that money you spent on the root canal goes out the window.

In a number of cases, because many people simply fear getting a root canal (not because they actually had one, but because they heard that a friend of a friend had a bad experience, and they never want to go through THAT), they opt to remove the tooth instead.

But now they have to replace the missing tooth or else their teeth will shift around and their bite goes awry. And fixing that new problem typically costs even more!

It can be frustrating.

Many people figure no one will see a missing back tooth, so why not pull it, since that is cheaper? At least they think so – until they notice their front teeth starting to form gaps, and find that food gets stuck all over the place whenever they eat. But then again, what if it’s a front tooth that needs to go?

You possibly think: “Wow, this is a problem, but I still really need to find something cheap.” OK, then. If you live in Philadelphia, you may Google “affordable Philadelphia dentist” or “cheap dentist.” A number of listings for dental implants appear, maybe some for “affordable cosmetic dentistry.” Wow, this isn’t sounding at all affordable!!! Wait! A couple of dental schools come up too. “Hmmm. Do I really want someone in their first year of dental clinic restoring my front tooth? It will be less expensive. But, then again . . . .”

The affordable dentist is someone who will understand your situation and can help you to find a workable solution for your circumstances. Many offices offer low-cost or interest-free programs that help you get the work you need today and then spread payments out over time. In some cases, it may be helpful to set up a lay-away program, especially if you have specific needs for which you have been given an estimate of treatment costs. In this manner you won’t end up spending your money on other less-essential items. Many offices will assess a minor fee to manage this plan, but it is usually quite small.

In the meantime, it is essential to keep yourself out of trouble with good preventive dental practices. Learn what diet has to do with your teeth and which home care habits are best. Remember, when it comes to teeth and gums, “no pain” most definitely does not always mean “no problems”.

Tooth Infection Kills Unemployed Man

Tooth Infection Kills Unemployed Man

by | Sep 9, 2011 | Cavities, Cavity, Dentistry, Tooth Decay

Following is a reprinted article that outlines a real, but ultimately preventable, tragedy.  As you will see from the attached video, some people scarcely believe that a tooth infection can produce such severe consequences.

From Medscape Medical News

by Laird Harrison, Freelance Writer for Medscape

September 9, 2011 — An unemployed man died last week because he couldn’t afford treatment for his infected third molar, according to news reports.

Citing physicians and family remembers, Cincinnati’s WLWT television station said the infection killed 24-year-old Kyle Willis when it spread from his tooth to his brain.

Dentists advised Willis, the nephew of funk bass player Bootsy Collins, to have the tooth extracted 2 weeks earlier, but Willis had no insurance and decided to wait, according to the report.

“He should have gone to the dentist to take care of the toothache, and it wouldn’t have escalated to this. It’s a lesson learned by all,” said Willis’ aunt, Patti Collins.

Suffering from headaches and swelling, Willis later visited an emergency department, where he got prescriptions for antibiotics and analgesics.

He could only afford 1 of the prescriptions and chose the pain medicine. Willis felt better, but swelling in his brain killed him.

Willis’ fate recalls the widely publicized 2007 death of 12-year-old Maryland boy Deamonte Driver, whose tooth infection also spread to his brain. Driver’s mother had trouble finding a dentist who would treat him for what she could pay. Physicians estimated that they had spent $250,000 trying to save him from an infection that could have been prevented by a simple extraction.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 expanded dental care subsidies for children of indigent families but has no provisions to pay for adult dental care. Many states have never offered adult dental benefits for Medicaid patients, and others have eliminated these benefits in recent years as revenues have shrunk in the recession.

Although Ohio does offer such benefits, Willis’ family had recently lost its benefits, according to ABC News.

In April, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that 33% of people surveyed skipped dental care or dental checkups because they could not afford them.

Dentists who operate free clinics for the underserved say they are often overwhelmed by the demand.

Willis leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter. Family members are organizing funds for Willis’ funeral expenses and for his daughter’s college education. Donations may be made to: Kyle Willis Memorial Fund, 604 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245-2141.