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Question:
I am in quite a quandry. I went to a periodontist today who suggested I have surgery to build up my lost bone mass. This procedure will cost approximately $4,000. A cheaper alternative, costing $750, is to deep
clean my pockets, only really prolonging the inevitable tooth loss.
I do not have the money for surgery and if spending $750 is really only a "quick" fix, should I just wait and investigate dentures? I am 47 years old. I would appreciate any input you can give me. ...Visitor from NJ
Answer:
In my mind you have to decide what is important to you. My experience is
that people without their teeth will do almost anything to get back the
function they once had with their teeth.
I think you need to get together with your dentist and decide on a long term
game plan that you and your dentist can live with. The Periodontist would be
good to have involved in this process too but the real decisions are up to
you. If you decide to keep your teeth then you will find a way to pay for it
in time and money.
By time I mean time that you spend getting treatment as well as time at home
spent taking care of your teeth. I have some patients that spend 15 to 30
minutes a day taking care of their teeth! They see the benefit and find time
to do it. Sometimes you can shrink the gum tissue enough by doing the first
part you are talking about and the aggressive home work to avoid surgery
altogether....
No matter which way you decide to go financially if you do not do the
homework they describe to you then you are wasting your time and money. Most
likely you will spend more than the $4,000.00 on having your teeth removed
and getting dentures... Once you start that you have to finish it... And
again you may not be real happy with the result....
Most of the complaints that the American Dental Association gets are related
to dentures... If that is the case why do you want to head in that
direction?
James Sanderson, DMD
Alabama Teeth In An Hour
Alabama Sedation Dentist
1633 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL 35216
(205) 979-6005
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