Expert: Rafael Mosery,D.D.S. - 2/13/2009

Question
MY WIFE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED LOOSENING OF HER BRIDGE IN THE UPPER FRONT PORTION (INCISOR TO INCISOR) OF HER MOUTH.  WITH OUR DENTAL COVERAGE, A NEW BRIDGE WOULD COST US APPROXIMATELY $1,700.  HOWEVER, WE ARE BEING CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $700 FOR A TEMPORARY BRIDGE.  THE DENTAL OFFICE INFORMED ME THAT AN IMPRESSION OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE, NOT HER ACTUAL TEETH, WILL BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO FABRICATE THE TEMPORARY.  IS $700 EXORBITANT FOR A TEMPORARY BRIDGE FABRICATED FROM AN IMPRESSION OF THE EXISTING BRIDGE?

Answer
I don't comment on fees because they depend on many variables that I can't quantify without an exam.It is cutomary to include the cost of making a temporary restoration in the fee.In this case $1700 sounds too low of a fee to begin with.700 is not exorbitant at all for a temporary bridge Basically the fee is 2400 and thats that.It should have been presented as 2400 soup to nuts.Hope this helps.