So I Need To Get My Own Dental Insurance

[Callisto]

I just started permanently at my job so I have benefits that are about to kick in, but it seems I get good medical, but no dental.

Long story short, I have two broken teeth, one of which is basically just shards of the base left. Hurts like a mofo, etc, need surgery to get it taken out. I had it looked at and was about to get it fixed up when I got canned from my last real job and lost my insurance, I know it's going to be too expensive to get it done without the coverage.

I know pretty much absolutely nothing about the medical/insurance industries, so looking for some advice from someone who has purchased their own insurance, self-employed people and such.

[LinktheDeme]

it depends on your area as coverage varies greatly. Not to mention different plans and such how much do you wanna be covered for and etc? Also your premium will probably suck since your basically going in with two broken teeth I'd imagine.

[Callisto]

I don't really know how much coverage I'd need since I have no clue what the procedures would cost, I think the plan was to remove them then fill them with bridges as opposed to implants(both are side molars on the top row in the middle). I went years without actually going to a dentist because I had no insurance for the longest time(hence them being fucked up in the first place, lol).

Are you typically required to submit some sort of proof of your current existing conditions?

[Jodwahh]

I really hope you don't get dry socket when you have the roots pulled. I have it at the moment and it's by far the most painful thing I've ever experienced.

[Callisto]

I managed to yank one of my own by hand with the help of a full bottle of Captain a few years back, I managed to not get dry socket then so hopefully I'd avoid it when it's actually done by a professional.

[willriker]

The good news is that almost every dentist offers flexible payment options. The bad news is that you would have to pay the full amount that they ask for.

There is also another option. Its a long shot, but you can always try for a barter. Its been known to work. Painting/handywork/or some other service you can offer might be able to help you settle up without a dime out of your pocket. At the very least, you can reduce the cost to your pocket. Even if you think you have nothing to offer, you can always just ask the dentist what they would need that could possibly compensate them for helping you out of a butt load of pain.

[tommygunnz]

Check your local dentist schools in your area, sure they arent professional but they perform the work on you while pros watch, and it's alot cheaper. I got a root canal once for like 500 bucks a couple years back where normally its well over a grand. That root canal saved my health because ever since I have drank nothing but water and beer, the pain was so horrendous until the surgery took place it made me never want to touch cokes or mtn dew again.

[Talus]

Most dental policies outside of group policies (like the ones you would get through an employer) are kind of bare bones. Some are just riders to health insurance that entitle you to the awesomely awesome benefit of 2x annual cleanings and 1x annual x-rays, meaning in most pick-up dental plans, the majority of restorative work done is not covered (fillings, in lays, root canal therapy, crowns, bridges, etc).