I had to have upper dentures about 4 years ago as I went through treatment for Hep C. The meds made my teeth really soft and I was constantly at the dentist office. I could not afford all the root canals, crowns, etc and have bad credit due to health issues. My cheapest alternative was dentures. Well, they HURT! I can't eat out in public and can only eat soft foods at home. Now my bottom teeth are horrible and I only have 8 left (no molars.. all on front) and it just makes eating impossible. I especially miss my apples!

I have checked into hy-bridge and dental implants with removable or non-removable dentures but ouch! The cost is for millionaires. Again, I cannot go through Care Credit or any credit to have this done. I have chronic migraines now, sinus infections, heart palpitations, etc. Not to mention I am so self-conscious. I used to be cute but now I don't feel cute and I make excuses not to visit friends I have not seen in a while. Needless to say, this makes me depressed.

Anyone have ANY suggestions other than hitting the lottery? Thanks in advance for any and all answers.

Have you tried looking into dental schools that may be near you and ask if they have a sliding scale for patients ?

Geez guy why didn't you avail yourself of finding some coverage during the ACA sign up? TRY it now. Look up your state exchange and make some calls to a few companies and get some insurance and a dental plan.

For some who were "in line" you have until April 15th. TRY IT!

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Originally Posted by talaniman

Geez guy why didn't you avail yourself of finding some coverage during the ACA sign up? TRY it now. Look up your state exchange and make some calls to a few companies and get some insurance and a dental plan.

For some who were "in line" you have until April 15th. TRY IT!

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The problem is that ACA coverage of dental has been less then poor depending on where you live. If it is part of a package plan then from what I have been reading on it most only start to kick in after your deductible has been met. Also almost no plans private or ACA are going to cover implants. It is sad because dental is one of the things that has been ignored yet it is the gateway to good health.

The short answer is no.

This is the way our stupid health care system works. Teeth are considered luxuries with no connection to overall health. That couldn't be more wrong. And doctors are woefully ignorant of how dental problems can present as symptoms of other medical conditions. Twice in my life I saw medical specialists over and over for things that turned out to be dental.

You need them both and some insurers offer both. But dental insurance can and has always been available as a stand alone. Most I have looked into have a waiting period, and maybe you cannot get implants or cadillac treatments, at poor people costs, but you can get something to help with your problem. It still isn't cheap, but for sure its better than having nothing and suffering because of it.

You sure won't find a dentist in the emergency room. I mean 50 bucks a month, and a 2,3,6 months wait may be worth it if that's all there is and you have the need. Nothing gets done, if you do NOTHING. A vegamatic and Tylenol is a poor substitute for an investment in good health in the long term. And lets not forget the subsidies that are available for premium relief.

You can be stopped by the obstacles, or you get through them and it behooves this OP to get through them, because dental health is but one need that has to be addressed.

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Originally Posted by cdad

Have you tried looking into dental schools that may be near you and ask if they have a sliding scale for patients ?

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Yes, I have but I can't afford that either. Thanks anyway!

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Originally Posted by talaniman

Geez guy why didn't you avail yourself of finding some coverage during the ACA sign up? TRY it now. Look up your state exchange and make some calls to a few companies and get some insurance and a dental plan. For some who were "in line" you have until April 15th. TRY IT!

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I did apply. Because I am on disability as of April 1st, I have Medicare and also had to purchase a supplement for things that Medicare does not cover. My Medicare payments alone are $190.40 and supplemental is $135 with a high deductible but I really could not afford that but had to have it to cover my meds that I have been paying out of pocket for 3 + years. Social Services said I made $13.00 too much per year to get Medicaid. NEVER in a million years did I think we could be in this situation as we have worked hard many years for everything we ever had. We were not born with a silver spoon yet we were blessed with great careers. Some people think ALL people want is a free handout, but not us... it's just we need some help and being too proud to ask. Feel like if I could have my teeth fixed it would cure a lot of my medical conditions as I have researched them and sure enough teeth can be the culprit for a few conditions I have. It's sad the medical world looks at teeth as cosmetic surgery and also do very very little for mental health as well that can also be a culprit to many conditions. Hopefully, one day!

First I will say, proper dentures work great, it sounds like your bottom teeth are the issue, and just need to be pulled, ( infections can cause serious issues)

I wear dentures, and it took almost 6 visits but mine work perfect. I can eat anything, corn on cob, steak, not a bit of pain ( OK someitmes rice can get under them, eating it)

The top stays in place all by itself, the bottom needs to be reset after about 12 hours.

I have fogotten I have them in and fell asleep with them in before.

What state do you live in? Have you explored the possibility that Medicare as a secondary insurance and a private company with dental coverage is cheaper? Do you have a primary physician?

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Originally Posted by talaniman

What state do you live in? Have you explored the possibility that Medicare as a secondary insurance and a private company with dental coverage is cheaper? Do you have a primary physician?

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I live in Virginia and my dental insurance will cover only $1000 a year and not even for the services I need. I do have a primary care. Is there something they can do to help? I hope so. In constant pain.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

First I will say, proper dentures work great, it sounds like your bottom teeth are the issue, and just need to be pulled, ( infections can cause serious issues)

I wear dentures, and it took almost 6 visits but mine work perfect. I can eat anything, corn on cob, steak, not a bit of pain ( OK someitmes rice can get under them, eating it)

The top stays in place all by itself, the bottom needs to be reset after about 12 hours.

I have fogotten I have them in and fell asleep with them in before.

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Actually my upper dentures KILL me. I am in constant pain and I cannot eat when they are in, therefore I only go places to eat (like my parents where I can take them out. I am on my 3rd pair now. It also affects my speech and being as I am a very social person this is hard for me. Very self-conscious. I only have 8 teeth at bottom at front so that does not help with the eating or speech process. Gums have receded and the sensitivity is excruciating. I can't get credit as my score is so low due to my husband having Alzheimers and we went 3 years w/o a paycheck until they finally approved him for disability with no back pay. We were living on only my salary and that did not go far. I have had an infection (staph) on my scalp since August 2010 and nothing has helped so I am thinking my teeth may have something to do with it and some other medical issues I am facing. Just want to be HEALTHY and feel good again like so many other people. Thank you so much for your answer and I am happy for you that you can eat and have no pain with them.

Is your doctor willing to express that your dental needs are a medical necessity? Unfortunately Virginia is still not expanding Medicaid to cover those like you(?) who are caught in the income gaps and cannot qualify, despite being on Medicare. That may change this year but in the meantime talk to your doctor for documentation. I say all this without a clue to your current income status or the costs of having more comprehensive health insurance plans that cover dental and vision.

Virginia Health Navigator home page

Get with a navigator and get some guidance through the system.

Your One-Stop Source for Information and Access to Community Programs and Services - SeniorNavigator.org

Most of these links require a zip code for locality easiest for you but your state has many options for navigating the system.

YOU said medical schools with sliding scales you can't afford... do you understand what a sliding scale price is? You prove what income you have... and they adjust the price to suit.