Do I cry, or drink whiskey?

[Fierce Critter]

I lost about 1/4 of a molar about a year and a half ago, along with a filling. I found a fantastic dentist down in NC who rebuilt the tooth and refilled it for $150.

However, my mouth was numb from novacaine when he had me do that thing where you grind your teeth on a piece of waxy, colored paper that shows him where to file down more. I couldn't feel well enough to tell him whether or not it was "good" or not. As a result, I actually ended up spending almost an entire year with it too high, with my upper tooth smashing down on it and causing pretty bad pain and a sort of blister on the gum.

I finally went back to him and he filed it down for free. Said he couldn't see how I could bear it as long as I did. I was just afraid I couldn't afford to have it fixed, and didn't realize it'd be free.

He did say I should have it replaced with a crown, but that would be along the lines of $500. Not doable anytime soon.

So, for the past 6 months or so, it's been much better. But I've still got a re-occurring blister of sorts on the side of that gum. If I don't chew too much on that side, it's not an issue. I just pop the blister, and I intend to have this looked at as soon as Jon's medical kicks in - if he has dental coverage. If he doesn't, I'll cross that bridge at that time.

Well, I guess I chewed on it too much in the past few days. 'Cause it hurts. Bad. Real bad. I want to rip the damned thing out of my jaw. I've taken about 7 ibuprofin, brushed with Sensodyne (usually helps overnight), and applied an over-the-counter kanker sore medication that has a moderate amount of novacaine in it twice.

It's not getting better. And I can't sleep.

I'm about ready to just cry or go down a couple shots of the cheap bourbon I've got downstairs.

Sigh.

I know it'll go away overnight. It always does. And I'll have learned my lesson and won't chew anything too tough anymore. But tonight, I just want to cry. =(

[Fierce Critter]

I'm gonna try getting totally horizontal. That's never helped before, really. But maybe tonight it'll make a difference. =(

I'm so afraid of losing the tooth. =( =(

[Shade Everdark]

I don't want to sound, well, lame, but it's the story of my life.

That's really rather terrible to happen to somoene as nice as you, FC, and I hope a solution presents itself to you. If I had the slightest shred of advice for you, I'd offer it straightaway.

[Homicidalheathen]

I am sorry to hear this...maybe you should raise hell....seems like the Dentist messed up and your tooth would be ok otherwise.....

I use alcohol for pain and I am not ashamed. It works.

[damagedangel]

It sounds like it's to the point of needing a root canal now. (I've been in that situation too many times, where I've not gotten a crown right away to correct the broken tooth and blah blah blah)..

Anyway.. have you guys looked into things like usadentalcare.com or dentalplans.com or anything like that? They have a start up fee, and gives discounted dental services at selected dentists, and it's better than having no insurance at all. Just thought I'd throw that out there

[kellygrrrrrl]

I have put over $5000 in my mouth in the last 3 years. ON ONE TOOTH.

First it started when I broke my filling out when I bit something. I had half a tooth for like 3 years.

Then it started to hurt really bad, and the Dentist said I needed a Root Canal. I had a blister on my gum, a PUSS sac if you will.... :doh

So I had one, paid like $800 for that.

Then the root canal went bad a botu a year later. So they had to rip it out.

Another $300 or so.

THEN I had a bridge done......$$CHA CHING$$

RECENTLY, I had a tooth in the front that was clamping down too hard on my bottom tooth, and the doctor had to file down my tooth, but it took abotu 3 weeks for the intense excruciating pain to go away. Even Air hurt it. I couln't eat anything that wasn't room temp for about a month. But since he filed it down, it is better.

I ate ALOT of vicodin and Ty3's. THAT didn't even work.

You'll probably have to get that tooth removed, or at a minimum get a root canal....which isn't guaranteed to last. Like in my situation.

[Fierce Critter]

Thanks for all the words, guys. It ALL helped me in some way. From a verbal pat on the back from Shade, to some valuable "been there, here's my own story" education from Kelly. I'll look up some of the information offered, too.

I have suspected, and just pretty much confirmed on ask.com, that what I'm dealing with here is an abcess. And that scares the shit out of me because it's basically an infection - and in case you haven't heard this on a dozen TV dramas, an infection in the mouth/teeth area can kill.

I know even less about dentistry than I do about medicine, but I strongly suspect this was caused by the tooth root being slammed down into the gum when things weren't filed down correctly. To be honest, the tooth is fine. It's the gum area - but the pus blister (JUST like Kelly described) may be linked to infection at the root.

The thing that give me a tiny, tiny shred of hope is, I have NO problem with hot/cold/sensitivity in the tooth itself. With an abcess, I should have that BAD. So if I'm lucky, this may be treatable with antibiotics.

Well, just as usually happens when the pain gets that bad, I woke up this morning to NO PAIN. I only got about an hour of sleep before Jon's alarm went off, and I was still hurting at that point, so I asked him to take care of his own lunch & breakfast just that one day while I stay in bed. I stayed up for about an hour, then went back to sleep until 1:00. By then, the pain was totally gone.

I chalk that up mostly to the Sensodyne. I don't understand how it works, to be honest, but I HIGHLY recommend it. Buy a tube and keep it on hand - it truly does work overnight.

Anyway, I think it was the pita bread at Al Shalal on Sunday that did it. I'll be making sure to keep from chewing on that side until we know what's up with Jon's medical/dental coverage.

A kind person (a-winka ) PM'd me with the number of a reasonable dentist in the area. If things progress any more I'll be contacting him. And if I think it's to the point of risk of death vs. tooth, I'll take myself to the freaking emergency room - insurance or NO insurance - and let them do whatever it takes to keep me out of serious risk.

Thanks again, gang. =)

[Homicidalheathen]

For tonight....I knew a guy who chewed asprin right onto and into the tooth all night....it helped.

[Guest Game of Chance]

This might save you some money...without insurance. If you decide to do anything. I have no idea whether the site is legit or not, so do your homework.

http://www.dentalplanaffordable.com/

Also, I know this dentist has a payment plan...I'm sure there are others. Hope this helps.

Cosmetic Dentistry Institute

Craig Goldin, D.D.S.

440 South Main Street

Clawson, MI 48017

(248) 280-0800

Email: goldindentistry@aol.com

Website: http://www.thedesignersmile.com

[damagedangel]

That's what more dentists need... payment plans!! It's crazy that they expect you to shell out $300 and up for a crown at the same time that it's done... pure craziness

[Fierce Critter]

I've looked into dental payment plans before.

It's based on your credit score. So that knocks us out of the running. I've been meaning to declare bankruptcy for years now, and Jon's credit suffered a pretty bad hit with that house debacle 2 years ago.

[kellygrrrrrl]

MOST, and I don't have dental insurance.

Let them do the work and pay them what you can AFTER they do your work.

You go in, have them do the work, sure they tell you you must pay up front, but then when it comes down to paying...pay what you can...they bill you rest...with interest in some cases, but hey, its better than paying a million dollars up front.

I have always done that, and I never was billed interest. They bill you a balance, and then you send in what you can.

They don't make you cut the check when you walk in the door, you pay them after theyv'e done the work!

[damagedangel]

I must have an asshole for a dentist (my last dentist too) ... they told me that they would not do the work period unless I had the money to pay. Stupid people

[Onyx]

I must have an asshole for a dentist (my last dentist too) ... they told me that they would not do the work period unless I had the money to pay.  Stupid people

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My dentist makes you pay FIRST, and same here - they won't do the work till you write that check - and it better clear or they won't let you come back.

I need several thousand dollars of work done, having it done one tooth at a time because that's all I can manage.

Dental health is really important and it really bugs me that it isn't covered by health plans. Bad teeth can kill you if they get infected. I even have dental insurance but I still end up paying thousands out of pocket.

Makes me sick all the money I pay in taxes and I still struggle with doctor and dental bills, and have to wait to get the care I need.

[damagedangel]

Exactly! I have decent dental coverage, but had better coverage last year and then they decided to go with a different company, which took away some good coverages. The thing that bothers me the most is the subject of crowns. I have 3 teeth that need root canals & crowns, and it's going to cost me $2200 out of pocket! One of the teeth are in the front of my mouth, and if I don't get it fixed, I'm going to look pretty stupid when it finally starts to break because of the decay. My oldest daughter also needs extensive work, but I can't have it all done right now because I can't afford it and it breaks my heart because I'm just hurting her.

[Fierce Critter]

Sigh.

I had great dental coverage all my life, up until 1997 when I lost my last corporate job due to downsizing.

Besides having that tooth refilled & rebuilt 2 years ago, I haven't been to the dentist since.

It's so pathetic the way this country doesn't provide that sort of thing more regularly across the board.

Jon found out there's no dental coverage whe his insurance kicks in in 2 months. They're talking about providing something eventually, but not right now.

I might end up calling my old dentist to see if they'll work with me on payments. One of the dentists there just about blew a gasket when he found out the front desk made me wait over the weekend to have a filling replaced once. If they knew I have an abcessed tooth here that's been infected for over 6 months, they might work with me.

[gothicmom]

Have you considered having it pulled? bishop had a bad tooth, no dental. I think he paid $150-200 to have it pulled. He doesn't miss the tooth either.

[kellygrrrrrl]

they really should combine dental and health together.

Hoping you are doing ok, or at least better than before! =(

[Fierce Critter]

I'm doing lots better. Like I said, overnight it tends to get better with Sensodyne, ibuprofin & Kank-aid.

I did a little extra damage by trying to drain it with a syringe. Kids - don't try this at home. Yes, I know how incredibly foolish that was, and ordinarily, I'm not that densely stupid. I was just hurting that bad and hoping to find whatever's filling up and drain it. Won't make that mistake again.

As for having it pulled, that's worst-case scenerio for me. I really, really don't want to lose an entire tooth. I've spent my time amongst the poor in the U.S., and I may be vain - but I don't want a "poor mouth". I want my teeth, damn it. I can live with a crown. I can live with an implant if I have to eventually lose it without any choice. But implants start around $1,000 for a single tooth, and until I have the money on hand for that, I'll hold onto this bastard as long as I can without endangering my health.

I think I can deal with waiting a couple months for Jon's insurance to kick in. Once it does, I'll seek out a doctor and get on some antibiotics to see if that'll take care of it like I think it will. If it doesn't, I'll do what I have to to afford dental care.

[Onyx]

sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but avoid having a missing tooth if at all possible.

The dirty little secret they don't tell you when you have a tooth pulled is that the mere fact that the tooth is missing will affect your other teeth. Over time the other teeth will try to move in to bridge that gap. The tooth above it will also move because the opposing tooth is gone. This happened with one of my molars and eventually the root was exposed. (You don't want that type of pain). Your jaw will likely have bone loss under where the tooth used to be because the tooth isn't there and there is no chewing action to keep that bone healthy. This can lead to the loss of the teeth beside the missing tooth.

This is why implants or a bridge or at least something to hold that space is recommended.

I agree that health insurance and dentistry should be combined. Dental health affects overall health. Gum disease can even trigger certain types of heart disease.

[torn asunder]

eh... :erm nevermind...

[holliwood66]

Oh, that is awful Critter...Perhaps you should try some of these numbers/options to see if they can direct you to some reduced cost dental care. I compiled these sources 6 months ago for an article on affordable heathcare. I know that they are mostly for washtenaw country, but they might have info that is helpful:

Adult Medical Program (AMP) (also called "Adult Benefit Waiver"; formerly State Medical Program or SMP):

For low-income, childless adults ages 19 to 64. Must be a Michigan resident.

 For more information, call FIA at phone (734) 481-2000.

Washtenaw Health Plan:

For low-income adults who do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, and other publicly funded health coverage programs.

 For more information call (734) 544-3050 or toll-free (800) 440-7548.

Washtenaw County Prescription Plan:

For Washtenaw County residents without or with limited prescription drug coverage. There are no income or age restrictions.

By Phone: Call Jean Higgins at (734) 544-6886.

In addition to these county services, young adults up to age 21 are eligible for Medicaid coverage through the State of Michigan. People over the age of 21 are eligible for partial reimbursement or coverage of prescription, mental health services, inpatient and office visits.

[cptdeath]

THIS IS IMPORTANT

:confused

YOU SHOULD GET AHOLD OF SOME STRONG ANTI-BIOTICS LIKE BIOXEN

DON'T OVER DO IT IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP WITH PAIN AND DON'T DRINK SO MUCH ON THEM. BUT IT SOUNDS INFECTED TO ME.

ANTI BIOTICS WILL CAUSE THE INFECTION TO STOP SPREDING AND YOU MIGHT BEGIN TO HEAL IN 3 DAYS TIME TAKE THEM FOR 5 OR 6 DAYS

IF IT STILL IS NOT IMPROVING THEN SEE A DOCTOR TELL EM WHAT ANTI-BIOTIC YOU WERE TAKING SHOW THEM TO HIM. REMEMBER ANTI-BIOTICS WILL BUILD A TOLERANCE IN YOUR SYSTEM AND BECOME INEFFECTIVE IF TAKEN SPERADICALLY INSTEAD OF CONSISTENTLY.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS COURSE OF ACTION

[Fierce Critter]

And how does one get ahold of something like Bioxen if they don't have $$ to go see a doctor to get a 'scrip?

[Fierce Critter]

Just a note, I had a dr. visit shortly before moving, and she did some bloodwork and found I had some kind of infection going on - more than likely that was this tooth thing showing up. She gave me a 'scrip for an antibiotic that turned out to cost $50 - and that's just the co-pay. So I skipped it, thinking whatever I had would just "clear up".

Something else that makes me think this isn't a "worst case scenerio" - I don't have the foul breath associated with rotting/infected teeth.

No foul breath, no sensitivity - I hope that means this CAN just be cleared-up with an antibiotic.