I have both upper and lower dentures made in the Philippines about four years ago. Both dentures have been working with no problems since then. However, three months ago, I broke 4 front teeth. I postponed having it removed as it did not bother me. However, last month, one of the tooth started to ache. I have no choice, but to see a dentist. My Federal Medical insurance do not cover dental work, so I started inquiring for a reasonable dentist in our neighborhood. I talked to four dental offices in our neighborhood. One office a private group of dentist ( Citrus Heights Dental) offered a free X'ray and Examination for new patients. I decided to visit the office and have the full mouth X-ray and examination.
The dentist refused to fixed my lower denture and recommended new dentures (upper and lower). This will require removing the 4 broken teeth as well as the two teeth that anchors my lower and upper partials. I have also toris in my lower jaw and this has to be removed by an oral surgeon before a new denture is made at a separate expense. Tori are simply bony growths in the upper or lower jaws. Tori may interfere with dental appliances in which case they must be removed or the appliance modified to fit around the tori. If the partial denture covers the tori and the tori continues to grow, the partial may not fit as well over time. If a major portion of a dental appliance covers a tori it may not be able to be modified sufficiently to allow continued wear of the appliance.
CH Dental give me an estimate of $6000( with 10% discount) for both new upper and lower dentures which included the extraction of my 6 remaining teeth. The removal of the tori has to be done by an oral surgeon at extra expense. Needless to say I got out of the office in a hurry when I saw the estimate.
In the meantime, my 4 front broken teeth started to ache again. This time, I called CH and asked for the owner/manager of the office. After talking to her she said that the estimate is just a recommendation, and will assign me another dentist and can extract the 4 front teeth for $1000. I had no choice. The new dentist was good. The office again reiterated they will not fixed or add 4 teeth to my old denture. A new lower denture is recommended and before they can do it, I should have an oral surgeon removed the tori in my lower jaw.
In the Internet, there is an 800 number to help you look for dental offices that do repair of dentures. I called the 1-800-dentist number and they refer me to Aura Dental Care of Citrus Heights(ADC). They advertised that repair can be done in one day. I made an appointment and was able to get one the next day. ADC has also a free X-ray and Exam for new patients promotion. The dentist (Dr B) saw me and ask why I came to his office. I told him I need my lower denture repaired with the addition of 4 new teeth that was just extracted 3 days ago. He looked at my denture and said the dental lab may be able to do it for $720. They took an impression of both my upper and lower dentures. Prior to the impression, an X'ray technician took X'ray of my whole mouth which I believe was not necessary since I have only 2 teeth. The rest of my mouth are gums. She agreed but she said taking X-ray of the whole mouth for new patients is standard procedure and she is just following instruction. Stupid Indeed!
After the impression, I was told I will get a call before 4PM ( I was in the Office at 9:30AM). I will know whether a repair of my old lower denture is possible or not. At 3:30PM , ACD called me that my denture has been repaired with 4 teeth added. The repair work was good. I have my denture repaired without my tori operation. Evidently, my denture was made and modified avoiding the tori in my lower jaw. The repaired denture felt good after a minor adjustment. I went home happy and $720 poorer. I am rating ACD a 4 star. I could have given them a 5 star if the unnecessary Xray of the whole mouth was not done.
Personal Note: My dentist in the Philippines is really good because he was able to make my lower partial fit around my tori. The dentist at CH Dental refused to repair my partial unless I have my tori first removed by an oral surgeon, which will be traumatic and painful and will cost a lot of money. Shame on you CH Dental-for just thinking of money instead of the welfare of your patients.
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