Need Dentures Relined, No Health Insurance From Work, Lost Denti-Cal

Q: I need affordable dental and medical coverage. I'm currently working part time because no one in the area is looking to hire a storage space manager full time these days. I have no medical or dental benefits from my job. My wife has medicaid or medi-cal but recently lost the dental part that is known as denti-cal. I desperatly need to see a dentist to get my dentures relined. I haven't done that for ten years. The dentist I recently saw suggested to do it annually! Indeed, my upper dentures feel loose and my gums are red and swollen. The relining of dentures would cost $400. I will need a two or three extractions also at the cost of $136-$250 per tooth, depending on whether these are easy or surgical extractions.





I am also looking for additional medical coverage. I do have VA (veteran administration) coverage. However, frankly, I don't like to go there because I'm having difficulty communicating with the staff. I feel their English could be better. And my coverage is not full. I lack hospital coverage. I play sports a lot so hospital coverage is a concern of mine as well. What if I break a leg? A friend of mine recently got into a hospital and his ambulance bill was $1200 and his hospital bill was $40000 for just a few days in the hospital! 

R. B., Visalia, CA


A: R.B., you got quite a story there. What you need is a dental plan for yourself that would have no waiting periods. I agree with you and your dentist that the extractions and religning of dentures can't wait much longer based on your condition. And I can see how you are limited for your medical coverage to one or two places, being with the VA. And if you don't like those places, where are you going to go? Choice is good. I'll suggest a few plans for your dental needs (include your wife as well). I'll also include a link to a supplemental medical plan so you can go to a medical doctor outside the VA and also use hospitals outside the VA. Enjoy your sports!

--Dental Cool


Recommended links

Dental Plans with No Waiting Periods for Dentures, etc.

Dental + Medical Supplemental Plan

Needing Lower Dentures Due to Radiation Therapy Damage to Teeth

Q: I had radiation therapy on my jaw six years ago. Because of that my jaw is degenerating. I'm getting abscesses around my lower jaw. I have recently got approval from SCAN to get all caps pulled. I will incur very little cost for that, about $10 copay on each tooth extraction. However, down the road I will need dentures on my lower jaw. Can you help with the cost of lower dentures? SCAN or Medicare will not pay for dentures.

A. K., Palm Springs, California



A: Dear A. K., yes I can help. A lot of people think that there are no dental plans that would cover dentures reasonably. Or they feel like if they are going to just get dentures it makes little sense to commit to a dental plan for a year or longer when all they feel they need is dentures. That may or may not be the case. See, sometimes dentures can be made relatively quickly, and sometimes they take longer to make, especially the ones that are of higher quality. Also, people's mouth changes over time and realignment of dentures, or relining is required. Sometimes as often as once a year! So I do recommend to get a dental plan, even if you have to stay on the plan for the whole year or longer. Get a plan with no waiting periods. It will save you money on your dentures right away and it may save you money in the future if you need relining or other services. I am including a few recommended links below.

--Dental Cool


Recommended links

Save to 65% on dentures and other dental services instantly

MyDentalPlans: Save on dentures and other services (minimal committment, 1 year) 


Other people who could benefit from these links

An intense discussion involving high costs of dentures at Topix.com