I totally get where you're coming from—my kid needed a crown after a baby tooth cracked (who knew popcorn could be so dangerous?). Even with insurance, I was floored by how much we still owed. Did you find the office staff pushy about the “extras”? Ours kept suggesting the “princess” crown, which sounded cute but cost way more. I ended up just asking, “What’s the cheapest option?” and stuck with that. Makes me wonder if anyone actually gets the full value out of their dental insurance...
Does anyone actually get the “extras” for crowns? I’m about to get my first one (not thrilled) and the dentist’s office gave me this whole menu of options—like, colored fillings, “tooth jewels,” all kinds of stuff. I kept thinking, is this really necessary or just a way to rack up the bill? I didn’t feel super pressured, but there was definitely a vibe that if you pick the basic option, you’re missing out.
About insurance—I keep hearing people say it barely helps, but isn’t it supposed to cover most things? Or am I just naive? I haven’t had any big dental work before, so I’m nervous about what’s actually covered. Did your insurance pay for at least part of the crown or did you end up paying almost everything yourself? I’m starting to wonder if it’s even worth having insurance when you still owe hundreds.
Also, does anyone regret going with the cheapest crown? Does it look weird or feel uncomfortable? I’m worried I’ll pick the cheap route and end up hating it...
I’ve wondered about the extras too. The menu at my dentist’s office had stuff like “diamond sparkle” and “premium shade matching”—felt kind of unnecessary, honestly. I just went with the standard crown and insurance covered about half, but I still paid a few hundred. It doesn’t look weird or anything, but it’s a back tooth so maybe that’s why I don’t notice. Has anyone actually gotten one of those “tooth jewels”? Do they last?
Has anyone actually gotten one of those “tooth jewels”? Do they last?
Had a friend who got a tooth jewel for fun—looked cool at first, but it popped off after a few months. Dentist said it’s mostly for aesthetics and doesn’t damage the enamel if done right. Not really my thing, but to each their own... I’d rather put the extra cash toward better shade matching if it’s a front tooth.
I get what you mean about putting money toward shade matching instead. When I had my root canal, I was surprised by all the “optional” upgrades they offered for the crown—better materials, custom color, etc. Insurance only covered the basics, so anything cosmetic was out of pocket. Made me wonder if anyone’s actually had luck getting insurance to help with those extras, or if it’s always just the bare minimum.