Dear Dr.Pang, I have a bridge on my lower teeth. I have had it for almost 6 years and it has already come off once. my dentist told me that it is rotten under one of the teeth under the bridge. It is now throbbing and i assume i will have to have both teeth under this bridge pulled and no more bridge. She, my dentist now is not the one that put it on and i trust her but as the rest of my teeth are in need of restorative help also, she says i am looking at 10 to 15 thousand dollars worth of work and suggested refinancing my house to pay. I just cannot afford this but i am lost on what to do. Do you have any ideas?   
Thank You 

Dr. Pang: Dear Judy, It isn't easy dealing with expensive health costs.  And, as we all know they can add up very quickly.    Have you considered asking your dentist for several options?  Perhaps there are less costly options. Although, not a first choice sometimes teeth can be replaced with removable partial dentures.   This type of denture only replaces the teeth that are missing or bad.  If you have several other healthy and solid teeth, the partial denture is secured to these "anchor" teeth with metal wires or clasps.    Hope that helps.  Best of Luck.
Peter Pang, LVI Grad
"Smile...And, Change Our World"