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theracer · Nov 14, 2007, 12:28 PM

I went to the dentist today and he said the he needs to replace my crown that is chipped. It is just the corner of the crown, it seems to me that he just wants my money. Is it worth my $900?

charlotte234s · Nov 14, 2007, 12:51 PM

It might be, if the crown is chipped and the tooth is exposed, decay may start or continue when things get into the opening/wedged in the area around/under the opening in the crown, and you may lose the whole tooth. Maybe you should find a less expensive dentist or get a second opinion? I'm not positive if you must have it fixed or not, but I think you should.. but definitely get another dentist to give you a second opinion or maybe look for somewhere that doesn't charge $900 to replace one crown.
Good luck with your dental woes.

theracer · Nov 14, 2007, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by charlotte234s

It might be, if the crown is chipped and the tooth is exposed, decay may start or continue when things get into the opening/wedged in the area around/under the opening in the crown, and you may lose the whole tooth. Maybe you should find a less expensive dentist or get a second opinion? I'm not positive if you must have it fixed or not, but I think you should.. but definitely get another dentist to give you a second opinion or maybe look for somewhere that doesn't charge $900 to replace one crown.
Good luck with your dental woes.

Thank you I will make an appointment with another dentist and see what he says. That's 900 with my insurance too:eek:

charlotte234s · Nov 14, 2007, 01:09 PM

OH my gosh, they are charging you 900 dollars and also your insurance other fees? That's ridiculous for one crown, I think.

charlotte234s · Nov 14, 2007, 01:09 PM

At least find a cheaper place to get the crown fixed, that's outrageous!

ballengerb1 · Nov 14, 2007, 01:14 PM

Crowns are frequently in the $1600 range and your insurance will only pay a max of $1000 within an entire year. If you hold out until 1-1-08 you will probably be back up to the full $1000. The chip may be on the buckle surface, lingual or chewing surface so it all depends on how necessary the replacement is going to be.

charlotte234s · Nov 14, 2007, 01:15 PM

They really are that expensive?

I've never had a crown, filling, cavity, anything, and now I'm glad. It can't be that much work/labor or materials to crown or cap a tooth, that's RIDICULOUS. Guess dentistry work is just glorified highway robbery.

theracer · Nov 14, 2007, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Crowns are frequently in the $1600 range and your insurance will only pay a max of $1000 within an entire year. If you hold out til 1-1-08 you will probably be back up to the full $1000. The chip may be on the buckle surface, lingual or chewing surface so it all depends on how necessary the replacement is going to be.

Luckly the $1000 per year doesn't apply for me. A crown is almost $600 but they want me to upgrade to a better one for $300 more I guess I should have mention that first...

ballengerb1 · Nov 14, 2007, 01:51 PM

Crowns are very complex. The dentist has to shape the tooth to accept a crown without binding or catching, then make a mold followed by a temporary. Once the crown comes back from the lab the temp must be removed and the new crown glued in, it must be perfect so it does hit the opposing tooth too soon or too late.

shygrneyzs · Nov 14, 2007, 02:01 PM

AS someone who has had several crowns, all for the same tooth, yes, they are very expensive. The first time I got a crown was in 1967 and it was $100.00. Sounds cheap but considering the average person was lucky to earn $1.00/hr where I lived, that was a great deal of money. My last crown was $850.00 (not counting the x rays and cleaning) and I do need a new one but refuse to get one. I really need a dental implant, in order that it will stay in place this time.

You can comparison shop, but prices are pretty much the same. You are not just paying the dentist - many places have to send out the crown and that place needs to be paid. Consider yourself lucky if you are only paying $900.00.

ballengerb1 · Nov 14, 2007, 02:10 PM

Shygrneyzs, wait until you get the estimates for that implant, better be sitting down. We are in the same boat and I can't bring myself to paying $2100, $1100 after my insurance.

flossie · Nov 16, 2007, 05:06 AM

If the chip on the crown isn't putting your tooth at risk of decaying or causing you to pack food between your teeth you should be able to leave it. If it's a crown at the front of your mouth, have it replaced if the appearance of it bothers you. If the crown is on a lower molar consider replacing it with a full gold crown as they don't chip. When molars have crowns with porcelain they are at risk of chipping due to everyday force put on them with chewing or clenching.

KISS · Nov 16, 2007, 05:29 AM

Bb, shy:
I have a dental implant, but the process I went through is kind of commical. At the time I got mine, insurance would not pay for the screw and would pay 50% for the restoration (crown like structure). Expensive. Yes. But, I had two Maryland bridges that broke.

The tooth that was replaced decayed from the inside out from trauma. Tooth next to it was removed due to being in the roof of the mouth and removed when I was about 10-12 YO. This one with the implant had a root canal that failed. A Maryland bridge that failed twice and an implant with lots of problems. Infections, causing need for antibiotics and re-opening of the screw during osteointegration. My gums grew over top the healing screw, so I had to have that surgery again. Then the size changed on the wrench and the dentist didn't have the right size. Then the size he ordered was too short. Then he didn't check the side to side clearance and I felt like I had braces for a year. Everything has been fine for 10 years now.