OT: any dentists on the board? Options

[SirAndy]

do we have any dentists on the board?

i just got back from mine and the estimate for removing one old amalgan (sp?) filling, cleaning the tooth up and close it again plus one bridge (using that tooth) spanning one missing tooth is:

$3000

my insurance was so kind to pick up $400 of the total, that leaves me with $2600 to get it all fixed.

does that sound about right or am i getting drilled (aehm, i mean screwed) ???
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/icon8.gif) Andy

[Howard]

Personal experience here. As explained to me (apologies to all the dentists here if I screw up) a bridge puts an additional load on surrounding teeth. Since I didn't have that, implants were advised. Have 3 installed and will need another 3 on other side, all upper molars.

I paid about $3300 per tooth. Procedure
extract old tooth (if there). let heal.
drill and tap jaw bone to accept threaded post. wait at least 6 months so bone accepts implant.
remove protective cap, install tooth.

Bad news: it's expensive and time consuming
Good news: it's perfect, and soooo Porsche (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

Itty Bitty drills, taps, dies and the neatest little torque wrench to install. You just have to experience that little click when he tightens it. And my dentist knows what he's doing, having rebuilt a Carrera 1500 speedster's Hirth roller bearing crank. Same kind of technology, I think.

When done, my teeth will cost about the same as a good 914-6. Here's a pic with the protective caps still on. Gross, but you guys always want pix.