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Archives for August 2018

Will a metal-free dentist be covered by insurance?

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I have four crowns on my front teeth and would like to see a metal-free dentist to have them fixed. I thought they were failing when they were turning gray along my gums. However, when I started researching it, I learned that it was actually the metal showing through. Do you have any idea if my dental insurance will cover it?

-Kayla in California

Kayla,

diagram of a crown fitting over a prepared toothThe research you have done sounds correct. The gray line that is starting to show occurs after your gums recede over time. Unfortunately, this can happen with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and is why many cosmetic dentists will choose all-porcelain crowns for front teeth. Your crowns will need to be redone.

A metal-free dentist would be a good choice. But, for front teeth, you need to make sure that he or she is highly skilled in cosmetic dentistry too. Since your four front teeth show each time you smile, you want them to be done flawlessly. When an excellent cosmetic dentist does them, no one will be able to tell that you’ve had any work done. But, it cannot be stressed enough that not just any dentist does beautiful cosmetic dentistry. It requires extensive training beyond dental school, as well as a passion for beauty.

As far as dental insurance goes, it all comes down to the codes entered by the dentist. Therefore, a metal-free dentist will use a similar procedure code for a porcelain crown as a general dentist uses. Generally, most dental insurance companies cover about half of the cost of a dental crown. But, that is usually for the least-expensive option, which means the crown that is used for pricing, may still contain metal underneath. So, be prepared for that.

It would be wise to find the dentist that you want hopefully, one that practices metal-free dentistry, as well as cosmetic dentistry. Then, ask for a quote for the work you want done ahead of time. They should be able to provide a thorough estimate. The office can also submit a pre-authorization for the service to your insurance company directly. This will help you plan your actual fees.

Choosing a dentist is all about trust. So, don’t hesitate to have a consultation with multiple dentists to see which one is best for you. Also, since aesthetics will be important, ask to see cases similar to yours and check out their cosmetic dentistry credentials.

Good luck!

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Rick Lane.

Will implant overdentures result in big savings?

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I am in my mid-50s and would like to find out about how much I could save from implant overdentures. Since my early 20s, my teeth haven’t been in very good shape. Currently, I have a dental bridge on my upper teeth, on both the left and right side. It was supposed to replace only one tooth. However, I ended up losing one of the teeth that the bridge was attached to on both of them. Therefore, I have already had both of the dental bridges replaced once. They now cover the back four teeth as well, with two fake teeth in the middle.

I’m starting to feel some looseness on one of the newer bridge, which is exactly how things started to decline last time. I have been putting off going to see the dentist because I’m so sick of dealing with it. When I was in last, the dentist said I could still be a dental implants candidate. But I am nervous to hear the final cost.

I’ve also heard of implant overdentures and want to see if they are a possibility for me. Honestly, I’m not sure I could afford dental implants to replace all my missing teeth. I may have to try and talk him into doing a larger bridge or a denture. Maybe you could help me get a ballpark of fees before I go in, so I can be better prepared.

-Paulette in Iowa

Paulette,

The most important thing to do right now is to have that loose bridge looked at. It may just need to be reattached or it may actually have decay underneath it that requires immediate attention. A repair would be less expensive than replacement. Also, it could be that stabilizing it will help extend the life of the bridge. The dentist will be able to diagnose the problem and give you options.

Cost of Implant Overdentures

The cost for implant overdentures will vary based on your location and also for each dentist. To give you a better idea, dental implants costs can be anywhere from $2,000-$6,000. To replace a full upper set of teeth would vary significantly, from $28,000 on the low end up to $84,000 on the high end. So, on average you may end up mid-range at approximately $40,000-$60,000. These costs would be to replace each tooth with a dental implant.

Complete dentures are much less expensive. For example, you could replace all of your upper teeth for approximately $2,500. A partial denture is even more affordable, somewhere around $2,000. However, you need to realize that dentures typically need to be replaced every 10 years and there are also other problems over the life of a denture, like facial collapse. This condition results when you no longer have teeth. The bone is resorbed so that the minerals can be used in other parts of the body. Therefore, denture patients end up looking much older than they are and have other issues like a denture moving around and eventually falling out. This is due to the loss of the jawbone.

diagram of a dental bridge

This diagram shows how a dental bridge fits over your natural teeth.

You mention replacing it with a larger bridge. But, that doesn’t sound like a feasible option for you. Implant overdentures may work for you and would utilize both treatments, dentures and dental implants. An overdenture can be held in place with anywhere from two to eight dental implants. They don’t require that the appliance is attached to a natural tooth, like a bridge. So, the overdenture would be securely held in place by dental implants. The more dental implants you have, the more bone will have remain in place because implants prevent facial collapse too. Overdentures end up to be around $1,000-$3,000 per tooth, so that would equate to approximately $2,000-$24,000 and then the $2,500 for the denture. Again, these are estimates and they are large ranges. However, overdentures typically end up being about half the cost of a full set of dental implants.

Benefits of an Implant Overdenture

  • Overdentures cost much less than dental implants.
  • More comfortable than traditional dentures.
  • Help to prevent facial collapse.
  • Much more stable.
  • Chewing efficiency is sufficient.

Hopefully, this gives you an idea of costs. Yet, to clarify costs for your specific case and geographic area, it would be wise to discuss your options with a reputable implant dentist. Also, you need to get that loose dental bridge examined.

This post is sponsored by Petaluma dentist Dr. Rick Lane.