My husbands teeth that remain in his mouth continue to break off at the gum line. He is down to 1 on the bottom and has lost only 1 on top besides the back teeth he had removed prior to treatment. We visited many dentists and a few oral surgeons before finding one that knows what he is talking about.

The recommendation is for 30 HBO treatments, total mouth extraction, 8 implants and a denture that pops in and out. Estimated cost $49,000. Did I mention we have no insurance, receive disablity which puts in too high of an income bracket for Medicaid and Medicare doesn't kick in for a year - so all out of pocket.
Thats a chunk of change and wanted to know if anyone could help out on success rates of implants? best material for appliance? anything to avoid? anyone know of any help I could contact on costs?

Traci,
I just wanted to compliment you on the fine job you did putting together the web site ( www.asilentepidemic.webs.com ).

Traci,

I assume that the $49,000 does not include the HBO which would be under your medical.

Will that be for 4 implants on top and 4 on the bottom and 2 dentures?

I have to say that that amount seems pretty extreme to me.

I would be interested in knowing the breakdown, if you don't mind telling me.

You can send me an email.

Knowing a little bit about both implants, dentures, and oral surgery,..... I too would like to know what the breakdown of this is. How many remain teeth are their that need to be extracted? How many pre and post surgery dives?

Thanks for the responses and gladly share the information for those that view this post in the future.

He has 13 teeth remaining but has had 9 teeth break at the gumline - so its a total of 22 extractions

HBO 6,000 (looking into renting one?)
Extractions 5,170
Hospital Rm 8,000 (for approx 2 hrs)
Anesthesiologist 1,200
Implants
($1920ea x 8) 15,360
Complete Overdenture
5,500
Precision Attachment
($605ea x 8) 4,840 Teeth 5,7,10,13,21,24,27,28
total 46,070

We were told the other day that our oral surgeon and prosthodontist spoke and decided the prosthodontist will purchase the implants vs the oral surgeon which could save us some but won't know those numbers until tomorrow. I will update then

Traci,

If you take out the $6,000 (HBO), Room $8,000, Anesthisiologist $1,200, you have an actual cost of $30,870 for the extractions, the implants, the precision attachments and 2 overdentures. This of course sounds a lot more understandable.

Considering the fact that you are going to an oral surgeon and a prosthodontist, both of who are specialists and therefore have fees in the higher range, as well as the fact that your husband will need this specialty care, the fees are probably within an acceptable range.

The reason that I even questioned you was due to the fact that the total figure was extremely high and now I know why.

There are several members that have succesfully had implants and dentures done and hopefully they will be able to answer your question about their success. I have personally never done implant work on an oral cancer patient.

I'm sure that Brian will chime in on the fees, too.

I am totally amazed at the HBO price. In 1997 when they thought I might need them, the were $1000 a treatment at HUP in Phila., but then everything seems to cost a fortune in Philly.

Take care,
Eileen