Need dental implants ASAP! I cannot afford £20k+ what do I do?
Posted by Missmorge@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 74 comments
Need dental implants, really knocking my confidence:( what do I do?
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
How many do you need? I mean how many teeth are you unhappy about?
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Top 5 front teeth and 1 at the back - they are literally chipped or non existent
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
Are you registered with a Dentist? Go and have a free consultation and see what they can do, and what they advise. Tell them what you can't afford and take it from there. I am guessing it is the top teeth. I am sure they can come up with some options. Maybe veneers, crowns, bridges. Not everybody can have implants so they must have something up their sleeves. Go and see!
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Thank you for responding, yes I went to visit my dentist and they came up with a plan unfortunately the plan cost £££ - I will reach out to them again and tell them I simply cannot afford to pay and see what they say. Thank you again :)
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
I wish you luck with finding a solution. I had a full set of implants a few years ago, It took weeks and finally hours fitted by 2 Dentists very well qualified and the technician over 4 hours. It was an uncomfortable process and not without pain. Titanium screws and zirconium teeth! There is no wonder they are expensive. I had previously had a cancer on the roof of my mouth, when that was cleared I didn't have much alternative. I do feel for you because we all want a nice smile.
Acrobatic-Ad584@reddit
Yes, I see - top teeth. Good luck
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
What are you talking about? Are you responding to the right forum?
Rh-27@reddit
Turkey.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
I already paid deposit for dental treatment in Turkey but I am struggling to pay the remaining, so I am wondering if there’s a miracle or Perhaps something I did not think of, that would help me in my current position
Artistic_Bug_7223@reddit
Begging for money on reddit
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Who is?
Artistic_Bug_7223@reddit
You are. Make a post saying you need something, if only there was a miracle, blah blah. It's obvious
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Excuse my ignorance, where on my question does it state asking for money? I am genuinely confused is that how my question is coming across? Am I misleading YOU? Enlighten me
Artistic_Bug_7223@reddit
Beg for money, MOI?? On this internet? Unconceivable
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
What’s MOI?
SnooRegrets8068@reddit
Waiting until you had the money would have been a good idea.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Agreed, at the time I figured just pay deposit and when I do have spare change continue paying off the treatment. This was a couple of years ago now
SnooRegrets8068@reddit
What? How long have they had your money? Is there no deadline on this?
Do contracts for a living so a little confused by timeline. Especially for an outside contractor in another country.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
2 years and no, I asked them this, they are a reputable dentist.
TeaBoy24@reddit
Just out of cushion, why?
I have a genetic defect where I had an extra adult tooth (so 2 instead of 1). It was operated out when I was a kid and the other absorbed into the bone.
So I had a denture for a single tooth since about 11.
Sadly, NHS doesn't do implants... Unless it's due to a genetic condition which caused you to miss more 2 or more teeth... Not one.
I would likely need a bine graft, so going abroad would be difficult.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Eating order dear
TeaBoy24@reddit
Eating disorder can be nasty.
I avoided eating in the public a lot and I was underweight due to it in my teens. Kids can be quite harsh and the tooth broke a few times in public.
But I can't claim that I am suicidal due to it to NHS to get it. That would be wrong.
But it's also not great as I am yet to be 25 and I don't have my front top tooth. It does hinder my confidence quite a lot. Especially as my denture broke recently and I had a bunch of interviews lined up...
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Take it from I have a am constantly interacting with the public - if I can do it, so can you! I will say, I have learned how to hide my smile - which is not good long term wise.
Now going back to offing yourself, I really hope you are getting the treatment and support you need. Please do not let your thoughts overpower you - I am sure you have a lot to give. Take it from me! Praying :)
TeaBoy24@reddit
OH sorry. I think it came off wrong. I am not suicidal, but if I claimed severe detriment to my mental health in combination with genetic condition, I probably could get it paid for my the NHS.
I am a joyful bundle and I have a full smile even without it. I am a bit of a monk and I work with disabled and dying people in the public sector as an officer dealing with grants and designing adaptation of houses.
DrPuftington@reddit
I had £28k of full impants booked dued to years of clenching my jaws together while asleep and a copuple of rear teeth extractions causing a domino effect on the rest of the teeth.
Had the remainder extracted and a set of temporary dentures made. They were so confortable that I daid to teh dentist I will just stick with those. Took another imprint after the mouth had healed, and got my new dentures. Don't even know i've got them in, and at night I just remove them so I cant clench my jaw.
Total cost probably £2.5k
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Was your treatment/ dentures done within the UK?
DrPuftington@reddit
Yes in Sussex
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Great price for Sussex
adammx125@reddit
A lot of cosmetic dentists have a finance option. I got my teeth corrected a few years ago and it was 0% over 12 months.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Was that within the UK?
Mammoth_Classroom626@reddit
You’re an apprentice and you’ve already said you can’t get a loan.
There’s 0% chance anyone is giving you a 0% repayment plan on 20k of work. You’ll still have to pass a credit check. You’d need a huge income to get a 20k repayment plan.
adammx125@reddit
Apologies didn’t see they’d put that info in other comments but you’re 100% correct no lender would approve someone on the sort of package I mentioned with those credentials.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Yup. So I shall see…
Glad-Business-5896@reddit
I don't know of any special work around so the solution is sort of obvious - start saving more OR take out a loan. If you can't do either, then accept your teeth are a bit shit and move on with your life.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
There’s always a solution, I might not have the answers right now. Me asking on this forum is a step closer for me to finding a solution, I have two options - move on with life, or at least try?
Glad-Business-5896@reddit
Yes, those are the solutions.
Start saving up to pay for it OR take out a loan and pay that off.
Of course you could always try to obtain citizenship in a country where dental work is free. You could try entering into a relationship with a dentist in the hope of heavily discounted dental work. I think the first two options are more realistic and achievable though.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Hah the first two are more realistic
Fragile_reddit_mods@reddit
Save 20k
EyeAlternative1664@reddit
Great advice. I used to be poor and needed more money so I tried to be rich and now I’m doing fine!
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
How did you accomplish this?
EyeAlternative1664@reddit
Someone suggested being rich as a way to have more money, so I did.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Yes, but how? What is being rich. That’s subjective no? Rich can mean one thing for me and another for you? Rich can be, being rich in health, wisdom, mindset etc
PrincessLep26@reddit
They were being sarcastic...
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
🤷♀️
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
How? I am currently doing an apprenticeship so my wage is already capped
twxst616@reddit
Get another job? I don’t mean to sound insensitive but what advice do you actually expect to get by asking this question?
VikingCarpets@reddit
They're desperate, no harm in asking. Maybe a dental teaching hospital can offer something cheaper.
Geeky_Monkey@reddit
They’d still need to pay for the implants. Those are the expensive, even if the dentist works for free they are grafting thousands of pounds worth of stuff to your face.
Aetheriao@reddit
The cost is hugely the actual implants - there’s no magical answer because the reality is elective cosmetic dentistry is just very expensive. A dental hospital or students wont help them because the cost is the actual item they’re buying vs breast surgery is mostly the surgery itself vs the implant.
Their options are to have more money or not get implants.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Thank you for giving me a sensible response. I appreciate it and I will look into a dental school and see what they say
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
I have looked into this, because I am doing an apprenticeship and studying my time is limited. With my course that means being on a call pretty much daily - not that I work over the weekend however with media, it does require my attention. I guess what I am looking for is a miracle. If perhaps any dentists on here could help out and use my images as example for their work
Leotardleotard@reddit
Can you speak to your dentist about a payment plan?
They do 0% finance options etc
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Already did
AnEnglishmanInParis@reddit
I’m having a whole heap of treatment through the NHS.
No implants, extractions, fillings and dentures.
Less than £400
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
How long was the waiting list? I spoke with my GP and unfortunately they could not put my name forward for dental treatment covered by the NHS
AnEnglishmanInParis@reddit
I went to my dentist (pre-registered so already NHS) on an emergency and I’m following a treatment plan.
But I do know it’s not easy getting an NHS dentist at the moment - just keep hunting and asking
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
I appreciate you sharing this and having that understanding and glad to hear you managed to get treatment, that is amazing to hear :)
AnEnglishmanInParis@reddit
Don’t give up.
I’m not sure Turkey is the best option if money is tight. I’m also not sure implants are the way forward, either. Not yet.
Focus on the positives in your life and work through it. I went for years with a poor smile and even though I’m not vain, I didn’t smile for photos with my two young sons. Finally, something in the universe changed and I managed to start getting treatment.
It’s not the first time I’ve gone through this with my teeth but I’m nearly 50 with a family history of poor teeth.
I just know when to throw money away and when to tighten the belt - life teaches you to see the signs and read the messages
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
How refreshing to hear someone who has actually been in the same position so absolutely understands - I received a comment on here about moving on with “sh**y” smile excuse my French - but what an interesting comment. Like you said to not give up - God bless you
You know exactly how it feels to not be able to smile in photos, I will keep on weighing out my options and praying to God a solution will arise
So happy you are on the other side 👏
dragonetta123@reddit
What is the "need" in this case that means that dentures or bridges aren't an option?
Implants fall under cosmetic dentistry, and are only done under the capped cost of NHS dentistry if there is a valid dental reason why dentures or bridges aren't appropriate.
So if these are just "want" implants over dentures or bridges you have no choice but to save up or do a payment plan. If there is a genuine "need" because a dentist has assessed and confirmed that dentures or bridges are unsuitable, then the NHS dentist will cover it under capped dentistry costs.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
It is a need more of a want. From the multiple dentists I have spoken with/ had face to face appointments within the UK and abroad (abroad was via video call) They all advised I need implants.
Late_Temperature_234@reddit
Either save up (or take a loan out) to either get it done in the UK or for a bit cheaper overseas. No other options available as far as I can see?
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Can’t take a loan out 😣
showmethemundy@reddit
there are more affordable options that implants - have you considered dentures?
DoubleXFemale@reddit
Dentures are apparently more likely to lead to bone loss, which is what gives denture wearers that sunken look.
Brave_Reaction_4968@reddit
Define "need" in this instance ?
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
My teeth are chipped or non existent and it is my top front teeth
chickengenes@reddit
dentures?
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
I already tried
ImScaredSoIMadeThis@reddit
Can go abroad, countries like Lithuania have a high standard for dental care but cost significantly less than the UK.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
After doing a lot of research I paid deposit for dental treatment in Turkey, even then I am struggling to pay.
I am in my 30’s f, completing an apprenticeship so my wages are already capped
VikingCarpets@reddit
Best of luck.
Missmorge@reddit (OP)
Thank you :)
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