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Monthly Archives

July 2012

Jul 30

Gum disease and dental insurance

By Gum Disease

I’ve been told I have gum disease, but I haven’t been able to afford to go back to do anything about it. I don’t have any dental insurance and I just can’t afford to keep going. My two lower teeth are coming loose. I am afraid I am going to lose them. Help! I don’t know what to do.

Anonymous

I have to tell you that this is pretty serious. Once teeth are loose there usually isn’t anything you can do to save them. If you have two teeth loose already the others aren’t that far behind.

The only way to get a handle on this is not depend on dental insurance and take things into your own hands. Go in for cleanings and be very faithful with your home oral hygiene. It doesn’t have to be that expensive. I have a friend in another state who doesn’t have dental insurance and is on a very tight budget. She goes to a dental school to get her teeth cleaned. They only charge her about $25.00 per visit. I’d look into that. You really don’t want to put this off any longer. Gum disease if very serious. You could end up losing quite a few teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Jul 27

Will medical insurance provide coverage for dental implant surgery?

By Dental Implants

One of my teeth broke. It was supporting a bridge, so I want to replace the three teeth that were part of the bridge with dental implants. I am thinking that part of the cost should be an eligible expense for my medical coverage because the pieces of the tooth have to be surgically removed. I also have dental insurance with a $1500 annual maximum. Will part of the procedure be covered by medical insurance? Mylijeron from Philadelphia

 

Mylijeron – We don’t know what medical insurance plan you have, nor do we know the details of it, but it is unlikely that it will provide benefits for the surgical removal of the teeth in preparation for dental implants. Most medical insurances exclude dental treatment from coverage.

Dental insurance plans even have limitations on benefits for dental implants, because there are usually other options for treatment, and dental implants are the most expensive option. The insurance provides coverage for the least expensive treatment that will correct the problem.

This blog post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Jul 10

Can my partial denture be replaced with implants?

By Dental Implants, Partial Dentures

As a result of gum disease, I had two bottom front teeth removed. I am wearing a partial denture to replace the teeth. Even though I had gum disease, is it possible to get two dental implants so I can get rid of the partial denture? The partial is not comfortable. Besides that I am only 37 yrs old and the thought of wearing a denture is depressing. I regret having the teeth pulled. – Katie P

Katie – Severe gum disease cause teeth to become infected, and the result may be that the teeth must be extracted. Extraction can prevent the infection from spreading to other teeth. Pulling the infected teeth was the best preventive measure for your adjacent teeth.

Bone grafting can build up your jawbone in the previously infected area so it will support dental implants. If you are not a candidate for bone grafting, a dental bridge might be an option for replacing your teeth. A dental bridge involves the missing teeth and the teeth on either side of them. The adjacent teeth have crowns placed on them and the replacement crown is suspended between them.

Consult with a credentialed implant dentist to discuss your options.

This blog post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca, who is an American Board-certified prosthodontist.

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