Has dental,audio, and optical been lost in the healthcare topic of the day?

[ws23jrt]

Last year I had to deal with a big change with regard to my medical coverage.
What I had was a good plan that covered almost all medical issues.--Hearing loss--not so much.

My age pushed me into Medicare and that took away the things I now need most.

I had a crown come off and went to the dentist.--I needed that one and another crown made.
Since I now have no dental ins. I had to pay 3 thousand dollars for what I needed.
This is a big wake up call.--
My dentist is great and very talented. My beef is not with my dentist. My need was a tough one and tedious as well as urgent.

My little situation brings to mind the bigger picture of "healthcare"---Are basic dental issues not "health" issues?--The same question goes for eye problems and hearing issues.
I am now on medicare that has huge limitations and deductables. Dental, audio, and optical are not even in the picture of "healthcare" unless I seek it out and asked for -and pay for yet another insurance policy for those---HEALTH --issues that we all have to deal with.

We need to get used to paying as we go and saving or investing for what may come.

 

[Yatzee]

Last year I had to deal with a big change with regard to my medical coverage.
What I had was a good plan that covered almost all medical issues.--Hearing loss--not so much.

My age pushed me into Medicare and that took away the things I now need most.

I had a crown come off and went to the dentist.--I needed that one and another crown made.
Since I now have no dental ins. I had to pay 3 thousand dollars for what I needed.
This is a big wake up call.--
My dentist is great and very talented. My beef is not with my dentist. My need was a tough one and tedious as well as urgent.

My little situation brings to mind the bigger picture of "healthcare"---Are basic dental issues not "health" issues?--The same question goes for eye problems and hearing issues.
I am now on medicare that has huge limitations and deductables. Dental, audio, and optical are not even in the picture of "healthcare" unless I seek it out and asked for -and pay for yet another insurance policy for those---HEALTH --issues that we all have to deal with.

We need to get used to paying as we go and saving or investing for what may come.

Phone Trump, he's gonna fix all that very soon. $3000 grand for a crown, what are you nuts?
Pull the tooth or get dentures.

 

[ws23jrt]

Phone Trump, he's gonna fix all that very soon. $3000 grand for a crown, what are you nuts?
Pull the tooth or get dentures.

Two crowns and they both need to fit a particial denture.
To make this all happen goes beyond the dentist visit. The labs that make these items need to make a living too.

It is still sticker shock---when we have insurance we seldom see the cost. And gets to the point of my post.

 

[steve from staten island]

What about two implants and a denture in-between. The denture snaps into a the implant(s) and then your done for the rest of your life.

 

[ws23jrt]

What about two implants and a denture in-between. The denture snaps into a the implant(s) and then your done for the rest of your life.

I have been through all of the options over many years for my situation.
Implants are fine if their is a sound place for them to be implanted.
Sometimes bone loss (or lack of it)in the upper skull calls for bone grafting to preceed implanting for teeth.---A long ugly ordeal---
I could go on about this but it becomes rather silly to do so here.

 

[ws23jrt]

So---Why is it that dental healthcare is not a part of the big picture with most medical health plans?
It seems to be set aside as if it is not a part of our health care.

One can find and buy a health plan that includes almost anything. But if you want dental coverage it is an extra.--

 

[steve from staten island]

I have been through all of the options over many years for my situation.
Implants are fine if their is a sound place for them to be implanted.
Sometimes bone loss (or lack of it)in the upper skull calls for bone grafting to preceed implanting for teeth.---A long ugly ordeal---
I could go on about this but it becomes rather silly to do so here.

Its not a long or ugly process. Well it may take some time by by no means ugly. The problem is crowns are not forever. Neither is root canals. I cannot see destroying a two good teeth to put crowns and a fixed bridge. My mother was in her eighties and good not keep her upper bridge in. The bridge was old. She had four implants two on each side and her new denture(s) snapped on to the implants. Anyway you look at it were talking big money. With the budget cuts being talked about were lucky if we dont see Medicare scaled way back, forget about dental.

 

[ws23jrt]

Its not a long or ugly process. Well it may take some time by by no means ugly. The problem is crowns are not forever. Neither is root canals. I cannot see destroying a two good teeth to put crowns and a fixed bridge. My mother was in her eighties and good not keep her upper bridge in. The bridge was old. She had four implants two on each side and her new denture(s) snapped on to the implants. Anyway you look at it were talking big money. With the budget cuts being talked about were lucky if we dont see Medicare scaled way back, forget about dental.

Ok Steve--Since you asked. In my case (to get implants)I would need two bone grafts in my upper skull. This would start with pulling two good sound teeth and making the graft and waiting for it to take. (there is not much space to work with and an intusion into the nasal cavity for a proper bone graft invites many problems).-----Again this is my case based on xrays and several opinions.--

To me this IS a big deal and a big risk as well. I now have two sound and healthy teeth. (that are what I want to keep like I want to keep my fingers.) One of them lost a crown and the other needs one.
Both teeth are strong and well planted. (they also hold and fix a partial upper denture).

Sometimes ---when I look at my 69 coronet (for example) I get a sense that something needs to be done to it even though I have already tended to what it needs.
Should I take the original dana 60 out and expose all of the parts for a check up and re seal?--It does not leak.
I resist this sort of thing with my cars and with myself.

When we talk about medical insurance-----Why is dental care left on the side of the road?

 

[steve from staten island]

I have no idea why dental is not carried in some medical insurances. I guess its just to expensive would be my first thought. I know that some policy's do provide it but its always a set amount. As far as those implants, no honest responsible dentist is going to tell you to pull good teeth to put implants however i know they will use those two good teeth to hold a fixed bridge and thats what im talking about. I never heard of any intrusion into the sinus cavity from building up bone area if you need it when you go for a implant. Whose telling you this? I must have six implants done so far and some required buildup before the implant went in....

 

[ws23jrt]

I have no idea why dental is not carried in some medical insurances. I guess its just to expensive would be my first thought. I know that some policy's do provide it but its always a set amount. As far as those implants, no honest responsible dentist is going to tell you to pull good teeth to put implants however i know they will use those two good teeth to hold a fixed bridge and thats what im talking about. I never heard of any intrusion into the sinus cavity from building up bone area if you need it when you go for a implant. Whose telling you this? I must have six implants done so far and some required buildup before the implant went in....

The xray information (in my case) showed not enough bone to accept implant screws.
The fix would be very invasive and with high risk while bone grafting heals that "may" yield enough bone for a screw.
We are not all built the same.

 

[steve from staten island]

Its tough getting old LOL. My mom i was telling you went for some big dollars to get those implants and new dentures. She just had got finished with the dentist and she passed away a week later. She was always concerned about her appearance and we were happy she was happy with her new teeth even if she didnt have much time to enjoy them. She did look great though with new dentures

 

[ws23jrt]

I have no idea why dental is not carried in some medical insurances. I guess its just to expensive would be my first thought. I know that some policy's do provide it but its always a set amount. As far as those implants, no honest responsible dentist is going to tell you to pull good teeth to put implants however i know they will use those two good teeth to hold a fixed bridge and thats what im talking about. I never heard of any intrusion into the sinus cavity from building up bone area if you need it when you go for a implant. Whose telling you this? I must have six implants done so far and some required buildup before the implant went in....

Who's telling me this?? Three dentists dating way back in time.
They all agree and shake their heads about implants.---Not enough bone for the screws....
When I asked them to just go for it they all said no way.---it aint going to happen.

BTW this is about uppers. My lower jaw has lots of bone for screws or carrage bolts etc.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Dentists charge a fortune & I swear that they make up their prices. Tell him that you don't have dental insurance & ask how much for cash.

 

[ws23jrt]

Dentists charge a fortune & I swear that they make up their prices. Tell him that you don't have dental insurance & ask how much for cash.

I did get a discount for paying cash. It was 10%

 

[Dennis H]

I put my dentist (great guy Tom Clark San Jose) on notice that retirement is on the horizon. Asked him to go to the wall with any impending issues now. Receding gum etc. Trying to stockpile eyeglass etc now too while I still can. I'll have great coverage in retirement (CalPers) but not dental or eyeglass.

 

[coloradodave]

Who's telling me this?? Three dentists dating way back in time.
They all agree and shake their heads about implants.---Not enough bone for the screws....
When I asked them to just go for it they all said no way.---it aint going to happen.

BTW this is about uppers. My lower jaw has lots of bone for screws or carrage bolts etc.

I had a similar situation; that is, not enough jaw bone for the screw. My specialist was concerned about the closeness of the sinus sac and sent me to an oral surgeon who did the powdered bone graft. Waited 6 months for the graft to take and then another 3 months for the post to be installed and heal. As far as I'm concerned those guys earn their money. BTW, no insurance for dental. I could have gone to Mexico and got it done cheaper if cost was a factor and I was close enough. A lot of the dentists there got their training in the US.

 

[oldbee]

RC I think 10% is pretty standard like you quoted. Sure wish it was more though; you'd think that with no extra paperwork,etc. it oughta be better. It's just like everything else-screw the working man!

 

[ws23jrt]

I had a similar situation; that is, not enough jaw bone for the screw. My specialist was concerned about the closeness of the sinus sac and sent me to an oral surgeon who did the powdered bone graft. Waited 6 months for the graft to take and then another 3 months for the post to be installed and heal. As far as I'm concerned those guys earn their money. BTW, no insurance for dental. I could have gone to Mexico and got it done cheaper if cost was a factor and I was close enough. A lot of the dentists there got their training in the US.

I have heard the same suggestion several times over the years.----Go to Mexico and make it a vacation--
Wow that sounds like lots of fun.
My thinking and intent to chat about my story was to bring up the--(what I think as odd) exclusion of dental care and treatment from most medical plans.
You want teeth to eat with--silly rabbit.

 

[ws23jrt]

BTW rotting teeth and receding gums is a big draw on our immune system that already works 24/7 to fight what we give it to fight. Our mouths are a nasty place for our body as a major port of entry.
And the boundry from the teeth to the gums is very unique. It is a pathway to the inside.

 

[Dennis H]

I should speak for myself, but as we get older, we eat less pussy. Something to be said for the cleansing value of munching on that wonderful place.