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The point is - times have changed. Cosmetic dentistry has become a big deal. Dentists have figured out that people are vain and will if they can pay huge bucks not just for health reasons but mostly these days for "that winning smile" - It is much like the emotional weakness that is exploited by vets when it comes to the price of caring for a dog. My daughter had this growth removed from her old dogs leg...800 plus dollars..Took the guy 10 minutes to lop it off and toss in three stitches. Practitioners prey on human weakness.
As for dentists - some are highly skilled and talented - others are butchers and can damage your teeth..having said that. I have a large filling done 50 years ago...the dentist had the skill of a jeweler. The filling is still intact because it was installed with great skill...on the other hand I had an extraction done and was pulling bone chips out of my mouth for a year...
I just wish it was affordable. The best experience I had was with a team of two female dentists..They were so careful and respectful..while I have also heard of horror stories...If I had the money for repairs I would gladly pay a TALENTED dentist...a good dentist should be like a good artist...I may be flipping my opinion at this point...I can see how and why a super talented dentist may demand big bucks...The realty is most of us do can not afford excellent care... a fine dentist can skilfully repair just about any problem...My eldest daughter had a friend who is an upscale dentist...He never does extractions...extractions in his mind are almost never needed. What can I say - in a free market society you get what you pay for.
Now to mention Universal health care in Canada. I believe that dentistry should be part of our public system...BUT dentists would never opt into our public system...because their prices would surely drop by over 50% - They will never take a cut in pay...Dentistry is now by tradition a business not a healing art.
Now to mention Universal health care in Canada. I believe that dentistry should be part of our public system...BUT dentists would never opt into our public system...because their prices would surely drop by over 50% - They will never take a cut in pay...Dentistry is now by tradition a business not a healing art.
If Dentistry is not a healing art, then it'd be pretty foolish of you to go to a dentist if you have tooth problems. Next time you have a sore gum, or a rotting tooth, or pain in your mouth - you should go to a jeweler. Because THEY have the right tools and the jeweler's skills to fix it up just right.
If Dentistry is not a healing art, then it'd be pretty foolish of you to go to a dentist if you have tooth problems. Next time you have a sore gum, or a rotting tooth, or pain in your mouth - you should go to a jeweler. Because THEY have the right tools and the jeweler's skills to fix it up just right.
You're always defending dentists. Dentists & vets are way out of control with their pricing. Many of them shouldnt be a dentist or vet + alot of them lack compassion.
I'm in my late 20's and on the verge of losing a tooth not because of drugs or lack of hygiene but because of a dentist's negligence. In the area I live in it is very hard to find a decent and moral dentist. My former dentist was not truthful and did a lot of bad work and failed to read xrays properly.
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Originally Posted by Escort Rider
I agree it's probably a combination of factors: drug use in some people, drinking too many sodas (even diet sodas are acidic) in others, lack of regular home care (brushing and flossing) for some, lack of regular dental care (cleanings every six months) for still others, and poor nutrition plays a part too. Put those five factors together in one individual and you've got a perfect storm for tooth loss.
I was lamenting to my dentist about having had two implants done in my 60's and asking him how it's possible to lose two teeth before age 70 (I am 69 now), and he said when he used to work in a free clinic there were people in their 20's who had lost all their teeth! He cited multiple factors but said drug use was the biggie. It stands to reason that drug use would correlate highly with poor nutrition and lack of regular care, forming a constellation of factors right there.
Dental infections can get into your blood, damage organs and kill you. It should be a part of health insurance.
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Originally Posted by PippySkiddles
dental care is so very, very expensive. I think most people have to concentrate on other bills and healthcare. Dental care gets pushed to the back burner. I'm still amazed and dismayed that dental care isn't covered under a regular healthcare package rather than as a separate issue.
I have health insurance and had to do dental care as a separate policy and recently had a root canal then a crown put on. WOW! Even after my insurance paid I was still left with a hefty bill.
I can't comprehend why dental costs are SO high
Parents not instilling the proper health care priorities in their children. If you see a young person with bad teeth, look at their parents and you'll probably notice a trend.
Not always but often.
I am just going to way in here. My Mom lost her teeth to gingivitis at age 20 (family history) When my husband was killed, I could not afford the health/dental insurance for me and the kids....so it is not always in our control. We all just went after 12 years (my kids are 30, 26, and 25) They were all perfect. Only one had a cavity. Me, I had to have two pulled, and 2 bridges made. But, my gums are awesome, so I am happy.
The two teeth right by my front teeth never grew in after I lost those baby teeth. *shrugs* It's just how my teeth are. It only shows if I smile or sometimes in my choir videos when I'm singing because of the camera angle. I'm kind of self conscious of looking like a rabbit, but implants are too expensive.
Has anyone noticed an increase in younger aged people that have a lot of missing teeth? Or I am just noticing it more... used to be you did not see this except in old people.
Now I see people in their 20s and 30s. Uggh. Really looks bad, and of course, dental care is so expensive and they can't afford to get implants (do they still do dentures even?).
Maybe I am being dense but - Is this because of drug use?
Sad.
Some of the problem is drug-related. But not all. I have missing teeth because I cannot find a dentist that doesn't want to use me to subsidize his next Mercedes payment.
...."you get what you pay for "
Not in my experience !
Expensive does not mean better if it is extractions and dentures.
I had complete extractions and dentures done by a clinic in Arkansas for $3480.
No problem, they work great, and people say they look great.
The University of MN Dental School approved me as a patient but the price they quoted me was $8900. ( and students would do the work )
The last place I would have extractions and dentures done is an expensive family dentist who rarely does an extraction.
Would you have knee replacement done by a family doctor who specializes in something else?
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