Fixing teeth

[Mullenax]

I'm in my last year of graduate school. I have dental insurance for exactly one more month. I went to the dentist and I have one tooth that's broken and need several fillings. Estimates for the broken tooth alone are above $600 after my insurance. I make about $700 a month.
Should I...
Get the dental credit card thingie, at 20% interest a year?
Put off repairs until I have a job, presumably this summer?
Have the broken tooth removed for less and say screw the cavities?

The broken tooth is in the very back, nobody would ever know, and I'm already missing one in the back on the other side that was broken (I'm a sleep-grinder).

[GreatAmericanZero]

http://imgsrv.923krock.com/image/DbLiteGraphic/200810/3324425.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

Do you have a credit card?

If your doctor oks the removal of the back tooth, go for it. If not, I'd put it on credit card, because the APR has got to be lower than 20%.

What about going to another doctor and seeing what his rates are?

[~Katja~]

I'm in my last year of graduate school. I have dental insurance for exactly one more month. I went to the dentist and I have one tooth that's broken and need several fillings. Estimates for the broken tooth alone are above $600 after my insurance. I make about $700 a month.
Should I...
Get the dental credit card thingie, at 20% interest a year?
Put off repairs until I have a job, presumably this summer?
Have the broken tooth removed for less and say screw the cavities?

The broken tooth is in the very back, nobody would ever know, and I'm already missing one in the back on the other side that was broken (I'm a sleep-grinder).

personally I would have it removed, but that depends on the condition of the tooth too.
I had it done to one that had previously a root canal done and kept getting infected and there was pretty much not much tooth around left. It would have had to be redone (900 bucks) and then the tooth been rebuilt and then capped, another couple of hundred bucks... not guaranteeing me that it would not get infected again... so I just had them remove it.

Most jobs I had did not offer dental and I am currently without... so don't bank on having ins. once you work

[jonyrotn]

Removing that broken tooth sounds fine to me, especially if it's much more cost effective..But those cavities...You have to fill them..That should be a real priority because you're not gonna be able to replace those teeth with another set, you only get one shot at this..

I'm kinda lucky being 37 and never having a single cavity :smile: but I've seen people around my age who have let their teeth go and are constantly suffering from awful toothaches and from what I can tell, most people would rather do this:wallbash: then have a toothache..

Plus I'd hate to see a post from you in ten years that says something like,
"I hope my boyfriend likes gum jobs cause I had all my teeth pulled today..":ohmy:

[grlNIN]

I had a broken tooth all the way in the back on my right side. I got it fixed for about $130 roughly and that was only because the filling i chose was not the standard metal.

I wouldn't pull a broken tooth if you can get it fixed especially if you've done it already, you kinda need teeth.

[angrymissy]

I'm in my last year of graduate school. I have dental insurance for exactly one more month. I went to the dentist and I have one tooth that's broken and need several fillings. Estimates for the broken tooth alone are above $600 after my insurance. I make about $700 a month.
Should I...
Get the dental credit card thingie, at 20% interest a year?
Put off repairs until I have a job, presumably this summer?
Have the broken tooth removed for less and say screw the cavities?

The broken tooth is in the very back, nobody would ever know, and I'm already missing one in the back on the other side that was broken (I'm a sleep-grinder).

Get the Care Credit dental card, it's not 20%, they offer 0% for 12 or 18 months. I had over $4k (that's what I paid AFTER myh $1500 of dental insurance kicked in, so really over 5 grand) worth of work done last year and just paid it off, 0%.

DON'T put it off. I did for years and that's why I ended up spending $4k. The cavities I put off turned into root canals. I had to get FOUR. I ended up getting sedation dentistry and having it all one in one shot

[jonyrotn]

I got it fixed for about $130 roughly and that was only because the filling i chose was not the standard metal.What did they use a melted down Pepsi can? JK..
Actually, I didn't even know you could choose your metal..
I mean other then gold or silver but beyond that I thought it was some type of standard compound that could withstand the conditions in your mouth..:unsure:

[grlNIN]

I meant that i got the natural looking filling, not a metal filling that is typically used for back teeth.

That's why it was more money.

[drjoek]

My input. You should try to take care of any active cavities if you can. Leaving them unattended will only get worse and therefore more expensive. Defnitive restorations can be delayed until you can afford them. As far as extracting teeth be aware that if you pull teeth in the middle, teeth on either side can be comprimised. Plus pulling teeth is a habit that continues. You pull one you'll keep doing it as it progresses. Trust me there. From a finance point thetr are insurances you can buy to get discount fees. Plus most dentists will let you finance over time. Good luck

[Fez4PrezN2008]

Let me recommend a little place called Jacobs. They won't keep you waiting.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n293/JBphotojunk/100_0817.jpg

[britneypablo]

go all out and get them perfect, you cant take the debt when u die, plus the pain youll get from lettin it go will make your head explode, and im talkin about the one on your neck

[Snoogans]

Do you have a credit card?

If your doctor oks the removal of the back tooth, go for it. If not, I'd put it on credit card, because the APR has got to be lower than 20%.

What about going to another doctor and seeing what his rates are?

not for most college kids old man. Some of them will get as high as like 29%, no joke

[angrymissy]

not for most college kids old man. Some of them will get as high as like 29%, no joke

Just find a dentist that offers this, and take the 0%... I don't have perfect credit and I got it. Just have to make sure you pay it off during the 0% offer or you get hit with finance fees.

http://www.carecredit.com/

Again, seriously, don't let those cavities go, I speak from experience. My root canals and crowns were like $1k a pop.

[Bellyfullasnot]

I don't know if this helps but I belong to a reduced rate plan. It's www.edpdental.com

(EDP Dental Plan ) Good Luck.

[LaBoob]

I had a broken tooth all the way in the back on my right side. I got it fixed for about $130 roughly and that was only because the filling i chose was not the standard metal.

I wouldn't pull a broken tooth if you can get it fixed especially if you've done it already, you kinda need teeth.

Agreed... I had both of my upper back teeth break, I think because of the nightbrace I used to have to wear, and the bands that went around my molars maybe weakened the teeth. I'm also a grinder (night and day) and that probably didn't help. It can be fixed no problem. I also agree that you shouldn't pull teeth unless you have NO other alternative... it can cause more problems (and cost you more $$$) in the long run.

[Mullenax]

Just find a dentist that offers this, and take the 0%... I don't have perfect credit and I got it. Just have to make sure you pay it off during the 0% offer or you get hit with finance fees.

http://www.carecredit.com/

Again, seriously, don't let those cavities go, I speak from experience. My root canals and crowns were like $1k a pop.

I ended up getting this, if I pay it off in a year it's 0% APR like you said, thank you all!

[drjoek]

Ignore your teeth and they will go away.