Anyone had gum surgery and bone grafting done?

[frosty]

Was at the dentist earlier to have a specialist look at my gums and teeth. Long story short, I have to have gum surgery plus bone grafting in two areas where bone loss is severe. Cost for each area is $1200 for the gum surgery part and $500 for the bone grafting in which the dentistist will have to use some sort of "matrix" from a donor to fill in the space where bone used to be. There is a third area that just requires gum surgery. I'm looking at $4600 total.

I don't care about pain at this point but rather the cost. I have no dental insurance so this will be out of pocket. Fortunately I was offered a payment plan through this dental credit card company from the office. There is no interest as long as the minimum is paid within 12 months, which I can do. In fact, I can pay the total cost in cash, but I don't want to do that with other bills to pay.

Anyone had this procedure done? How wa sthe pain during and after the procedure? How much did it cost? I'm in California. Don't know if it would be cheaper elsewhere.

Man, I'm just bummed about this. I was expecting the news anyway, as years ago my dentist had suggested gum surgery...I didn't do it and now I need bone grafting.

*sigh* The past few days I've been teasing myself by looking at Craigslist for prices on Porsches 914 and other 2-seaters and also reading about them online. Is a 914 worth it...maybe a 3rd gen MR2 (prices are cheap for them here it seems) or a Honda Del Sol for a fun daily driver. Foprget about that now.