Mulla Nasr Eddin teaches that one must Always Look At the Bright Side of Life. I find it very difficult to argue with such logic, as I looked for dark and seamy until just a few years ago. Bright is better all-around.

I am glad your pain has resolved itself (with a little help from you), but it looks as though you've left a major hole in your ability to chew foods. Will you be able to Get the implant replaced? Or substitute some other form of device?

I feel your pain.

That's not a lot of teeth. Be careful you don't become the long lost Marx Brother - Gummo.

A guy can lose a lot of weight in six months. Then you can get your teeth rebuilt, and you'll be good as new!

Well, you certainly have a lot of sympathy from me. Last trip to the dentist, he wanted to replace the crowns I have to the tune of $11,000.00. Not sure which pain was worse, the thought of this being done or the pain in the pocketbook. I really hope you find a good way to deal with the situation until you can get it resolved.

I think it generally has almost nothing to do with doctors, Scott. Doctors are a lot like recording artists - their HMOs and practice groups take huge cuts (and bear a lot of the costs, too). There isn't a lot of money in family practice, as far as I can tell.

I think it generally has almost nothing to do with doctors, Scott. Doctors are a lot like recording artists - their HMOs and practice groups take huge cuts (and bear a lot of the costs, too). There isn't a lot of money in family practice, as far as I can tell.

You're welcome.

The AARP thinks that if the entire country was on Madicare, we could save about 30% over current medical costs. More people insured, less costs. It's because insurance companies and HMOs cost us a lot of money - money that doesn't go to cost of care.

I think it's terrible that the medical system doesn't pay at least partly for dental care. It's the same here in Canada. I am fortunate to have a job now in which I have have extended health benefits. It's been almost 12 years since I had my teeth checked because I couldn't afford it before. And I had 4 cavities! I can't imagine how much worse it could've been if I had waited any longer

America is so sad in it's neglect of teeth and tooth problems. I am one of those millions without dental and so the solution everytime I have a problem is, Pull it.

I have a tooth waiting to be pulled right now. Crap!

there HAS to be a better way.

We have semi-free health care, if you are low income you don't pay, and there is a very low monthly fee for the rest. It doesn't cover prescriptions, physiotherapy and other services, and only emergency dental care that would be performed in a hospital. As well, we can go to dental colleges and get service as you do too.We even have to pay a fee for ambulance rides! Still, I think what we have is better than the American system.

Good luck with your teeth! Hopefully you even won't have to think about them for at least the next months. And give us more from Mulla Nasr Eddin.

I must remember to put my own complaints into perspective after reading your sorry report (and reading what others have also posted here). I am fortunate in the sense that I still have all of my teeth. This is not intended to sound like a 'smug' statement. It's a matter of genes, to some extent, and chance, or good fortune, to some extent. Me and most (I would guess) of my fellow compatriots probably worry about and disapprove of what we perceive to be the rising prices of dental work in the UK. Dentristry here is partly incorporated into our "National Health Service" but not enrtirely - unlike our medical care which is wholly part and parcel of our NHS over here. Reading your post about the cost of dental service in your country is not a surprise to me, nor is it a revelation that health care is, should the insurance refuse to cover or limit cover or should the patient not have insurance, a source of potential worry for many in the USA. I want to steer clear of any 'political' discussion or 'polemic' and I hope I do so... but I recenty watched an dvd movie titled "SICKO" that takes as its subject the role played by health insurance companies in the USA. It is very thought provoking indeed.

thanks Scott-bro, well said.

When you say "well, these types will always say that so and so who is broke or poor has only himself to blame." I remember that in one form or another I have often heard/read/seen some of your countrymen/women opine the same view. I am not a simpleton (I am a simple man) and I have traveled around to a lot of places. I have never yet been abel to firmly "put my finger" on the reason(s), the rationale for statements, similar the one you mention and I remember. Perhaps it all goes back to the so called "protestant ethic" of the "founding fathers", those pious guilt ridden group of folk who, I infer, believed 'everyone had to stand on their own two feet'.

I'm probably over-simplifying and maybe I'm misquoting or misremembering my studies of that history and time period and the whole scene of piety per se. But I still find it difficult to accept that in a 'mighty nation' as that of the republic of the USA there, seemingly, exists a majority (perhaps) of opinion that holds true to that negative aspect of what I imply. I am digressing.

Let me simply say that I find it hard to come to terms with the proclaimed generosity and kindness of the american people and paradoxically its apparent apathy in wanting to actively promote any change in the present system of health care. I suspect the answer lies in the lobbying system that influences the framing of some (few? many?) bills that become law. And at the 'base' of this lobby I also suspect there are powerful pro-active groups representing the Health Insurance Industry.

But so what? If it's as clear to others as it seems clear to me then why does nothing change? The answer lies in the deeply (I suggest) ingrained attitude of the majority of the american people themselves. Either they are uncaring and selfish, or they are apathetic and don't wish to get into debates and move forward. I think it is the latter, rather than the former. I have not yet started to think the american people, as a whole, are uncaring or selfish. But when it comes down to it and nothing changes then those who suffer grieviously because of the present private health systen will not be too interested in the reasons, either way.

In my humble opinion, all kinds of health care should be tax-payed. Just because it's so very important for the quality of life in every individual case.

Interesting picture, as I've always wondered what the implants actually looked like. Now, since this was performed on you some 20 years back, have they been improved, regards to size, healing time? Curious!

I can only chew on one side of my mouth, since there is a clump of skin, the size of a marble, in the back of my mouth where I was stitched in the ER after Dr. Evil tore the inside of my mouth apart.

They weren't dentists, but I remain appreciative for the work they did to try and stop the bleeding, and so quickly.

The dentist who extracted my 2 bottom teeth, (one was an eye and the other next to it), suggested down the road that I consider implants. Now I'm wearing a bridge and although it is uncomfortable, something foreign being in my mouth, at least I don't have a gap on the bottom left side.

I agree that the cost of having any dental work is outrageous and I may just leave the bridge in. I've gotton used to worse.

I'm so sorry for all of the pain you're experiencing Scott and sure hope that there is some way you will get your 'bite back' without losing everything you have.

And you're so right about the monies not being allocated for something as important as our teeth.

Not only do we want to keep our smiles but teeth that are infected and left unattended, for basic health reasons, the infection, especially in the upper teeth, could cause death. It can also cause brain damage.

I could go on, as I've done so much research after my ordeal, but I'm sure you know how serious, infected teeth, left unattended, can be.

Rinse, all the time, and not just when there's a problem, and with as much salt as you can stand with warm water, 7-8 times a day. It really keeps your mouth clean and much cleaner than brushing can, although brushing is very important after eating or drinking...anything.

Good Luck with those Scott and let us know how this pans out for you.

Hugs...Jillee:)

If I may, Scott, address Lokutus.

It is an interesting notion that you posited, that the founding fathers may have ahd the idea that we should all "stand on our own two feet." Quaint idea and for the most part, I like that spirit that is found in most Americans.

I agree that years of study and mounting costs of education tends to make one want to make more money. This applies to Dentists as well as Doctors. (There are other factors to account for rising health costs and rising dental cost, too, I know, such as the price of equipment rising, the cost of materials, the cost of rental on an office space. All these thing contriubte to our "out of control dental costs). I don't blame anyone for wanting to make a tidy living.

At least most dentists will accept new patients even if they have no insurace (Many doctors will not). The patient may have to pay full retail costs, unless they can negotiate a lower rate with the dentist. Americans are not taught to haggle, so most don't realize that a huge advantage of having insurance is that the insurance companies have gone to the dentist (or doctor) and negotiated a rate that is normally less than half of the full retail vailue.

So, part of standing on our own two feet is speaking up and taking control. Ask the dentist for a lower rate. Many times the person asking will get. Of course, the patient is still responsible for paying the remainder of the balance, which could soar into thousands for some dental proceedures.

Thanks Scott and thanks Lokutus.

Let me join to discussion. I'm a bit late, so...... .
In prosthesis, I hold on to traditional methods. I always had a dispute with the doctors about implants. I think it's impasse technology at all. (I will not go into details). In any case, the cheapest way is: REGULAR VISITS to the dentist once a half-year for PROPHYLACTIC inspection, doesn't matter bother teeth or not.

Well, what can I say.......? It's an evident defect of American medicine. The pursuit for innovations makes USA dentistry inaccessible to ordinary people, + lobby of implants companies.
Russia has expensive dentistry too, but we can offer a lot of simple and not expensive options. Furthermore a retireds and military have their exemptions at the public clinics.
And on the whole, dentistry as a life: the simpler - the more effective.

This story made my teeth hurt! Sir, you have my sympathy. What I've read here reminds me that I am often more fortunate than I care to realize.

One hundred thousand is an astronomical sum for me at all.

i know how terrible the teeth if it makes pain ...! i have my rootcanal before and decided to took it out coz it makes pain too...

the pain goes until my head already ....its infected..what more if i have an implant ?

it makes me nervouswhenever it comes to the teeth

No pearly whites beyond the Pearly Gates?

I'll be disappointed if we cannot enjoy a good meal in the afterlife.

Scott your article has aroused a public resonance!!!

Awwww... That is mighty disappointing. Are you sure about this?

That's my fervent dream.