I think I have a hole or something in my back tooth...

[Shiver]

It feels kinda big, and I can't stop poking it with my tongue. It's getting me nervous, especially since I don't think my health plan includes dental... :(

[Blue Diadem]

1. Better to get it taken care of now instead of waiting until it hurts.

Speaking from experience, the longer you wait the more it'll cost.

[mnhtnbb]

2. Having just spent $1800 out of pocket to save a cracked tooth (root canal and crown)

I would say make an appointment with your dentist, now! If it's a back tooth, and you don't need
it, you can always have it pulled, if it needs something more than a filling. It may be you simply had
an old filling come out.

[Shiver]

4. I don't recall having any fillings that far back,

At least, not on the upper teeth. And I don't have a dentist right now... haven't been to one for a few years now - which is a bad thing, I know - since I lost my old dental insurance. I was under my mom's union plan, which dropped me when I ceased being a student last year.

Looking for affordable dental care now, still hoping I'm wrong about my health insurance and they at least have some form of dental care...

[Shiver]

3. It doesn't hurt yet, fortunately

But there is this slight jaggedy edge to it that's occasionally catching on the inside of my mouth... I don't know how I didn't know it was there before, or how long it has been there...

[Blue Diadem]

7. Sometimes it's a small crack and a piece of tooth

comes out or cracks off leaving that jagged area. The only way you'll know is to see the dentist.

I'm having a similar problem except mine has an old filling and the tooth is fragile. My dentist convinced me to wait when I went last winter and instead replaced two fillings. Now I can't afford to have the crown and probable root canal done so I'll probably end up having it pulled.

You're young, you want to keep your teeth as long as you can. Maybe when you find a new dentist you can see if they have a payment plan.

[Shiver]

9. Was thinking about that

Depending on how soon I can get on the buy-up plan (see post below), I might have to just find out who can offer me a reasonable payment plan and get it done. I could also try and see if there's anything I can do for it in the meantime. Aren't there these things you can get to put over a broken tooth until you can make it to a dentist?

[My Good Babushka]

5. Nothing fills me with dread as much

as requiring dental work. I know I can't afford it.

[Shiver]

6. Some good news....

I just called my union's health insurance people and found out that in a week or two I'll be eligible for the buy-up plan that will get me some degree of dental.

A week or two, however, doesn't help me now...

[marzipanni]

8. If you need it sooner, how about Marquette School of Dentistry Clinic?

http://www.marquette.edu/dentistry/clinic/index.shtml
A bit of a trip, but you could call to see if it would be worth it.

My oldest brother caught up with some neglected dental work at Tufts School of Dentistry in Massachusetts. The students who are at clinical level do the hands on work, guided by the professors.

[Shiver]

10. Not a bad idea

My cousin goes to Marquette, and I used to live around there, so I know the area. If they charge less than anything else I find, I'd be willing to make the trip.

This would be so much easier if they would just perfect the SimpleTooth...

[Shiver]

11. Well

I picked up some stuff that's supposed to act as temporary filling replacement at Walgreens. I didn't have a filling where the hole is, but that shouldn't make too much of a difference, right?