Question:
Anyone have major dental problems?

I am now at 3.5 years. BMI of 19, I am always struggling to keep weight on, so I know I not working with a bunch of calories, but I do my best to get my protein and vitamins, But, back on the subject. I am now facing 18,000 to 30,000 dollars worth of dental work. 6 root canals to start with...YIKES. Anyone know if I can get my insurance to cover my dental work. Also I was told that my mouth looks like I was radiated, and coincedentally I was told the same thing about my Urethra when I was finally diagnosed with chronic urithritis. I finally get that fixed, or at least under control, and now I am facing major dental problems. Any suggestions??? This scares me very much, beyond the financial I wonder if this is the effect on my teeth, what other parts of my body are being affected? I really appreciate any help.    — shannon W. (posted on February 21, 2005)

February 21, 2005
Sounds very much like malnutrition. Have you had blood work done lately? Annorexics have similar problems, and your BMI is pretty low. Jim
   — JimVonBaden

February 21, 2005
While I cannot be certain about your own insurance, I would advise you to check into it. I have Virginia Medicaid, which typically does not cover dental work on anyone over the age of 21 years old. However, I have now found out that it will cover dental work that is medically necessary in people who are over that age. Get your physician to write out a statement that it is medically necessary, especially it is medically necessary due to gastric bypass surgery and the necessity of chewing the food well. Good luck to you with this problem.
   — SnowWhiteDove459

February 21, 2005
I'm almost 3.5 years post-op too. I've not had ANY dental problems. I just went to the dentist a couple of weeks ago for my 6 month cleaning and he commented on what excellent condition my teeth are in. I would agree with the other poster who suggested malnourishment. Have you had your labwork checked recently?
   — Patty H.

February 21, 2005
Have you gone for a second opinion to another dentist? I've had a little bit of dental work done, but the conditions I had treated were evident before the WLS. I've also had bad experiences with some dentists (not all) who are prone to doing lots of work done, and maybe not taking the most conservative route to get there. My current dentist has capped two of my fractured teeth (done before the surgery three years ago), without doing root canals first. Consider getting that second opinion!
   — Magda1ene

February 22, 2005
I'm 3.5 years out and haven't had any additional problems with my teeth. They've never been great, but have been stable for the last few years. I have heard though of other post-ops having problems. It can be a lack of nutrients... how are your labs? Do you take extra calcium along with your vitamins? I've also heard rumors that our post-op habit of not drinking with meals can contribute to tooth decay, which makes it even more important to brush after eating.
   — mom2jtx3

February 22, 2005
I'm almost 3.5 years out as well and the only dental problems I have had are the ones I've ignored over the past 10 years. /shame. I agree with the second opinion. 30k is excessive...unless you are getting them all pulled and putting in implants for all of your teeth.
   — RebeccaP

February 22, 2005
I'd have lots of questions for you. What has been your vitamin regimen, which RNY are you? How was your dental care (dentist and you) up til now? That seems really, really, really high. You could (in theory) have them braced, whitened, capped and lots of fillings for that much money. As to insurance, the best one I ever had paid a max of $2000/yr. So, that'd be say, 4 crowns or 4 root canals, plus maybe a filling and 2 cleanings? And then, altho mine have all paid for cleanings/xrays on schedule, and most fillings (or my copay was dinky), they only paid 50% of the big work. I think the one I have now is only $1500 per year. Maybe you can find a better plan than that, but to do $30K in one year? PLEASE give me the name of THAT plan! As to whether people have dental problems, yes, it seems very common. Mine have seemed about proportional for my age, looking at my normie parents and work they had done, so I'm not seeing anything I can hang on my WLS, but then I've always supplemented highly, so who's to say.
   — vitalady

October 19, 2005

   — gloria H.