I had fillings that failed and three of my teeth needed crowns (they really did). I was quoted $2500 per crown. My insurance only covered up to $1000 per year and I didn't have a great job at the time, so I was like "well, no way I can afford $6500" and did nothing.

Eventually the teeth got so bad they had to be removed, and had to get two bridges put in. That was quoted at $6k apiece. At that point I did have a good job again and could afford it, but yeah, that hurt.

Since then one of the teeth in the bridge had to have a root canal, and then the top part of the tooth cracked when the root canal was checked, and so now I need to replace the anchor teeth in one bridge to 2 implants. I was quoted $7k for those (that's one of the cheaper quotes, I've also been quoted over $10k), not including a new bridge that will have to be made, which will be another ~$6k.

I've put that off for three years now (even had a scheduled surgery to start the process I ended up cancelling). My bridge just has a good amount of temporary cement over that cracked tooth, which has oddly stayed in place the whole pandemic. Eventually I'll have to get it done, but I'm putting it off as long as possible.

If I had somehow figured out how to get those crowns in the first place, I might have saved all this grief and extra expense after. I'm up to 3 removed teeth and 4 teeth stripped of their enamel to become anchor teeth to put the two bridges on, which can never just be 'normal teeth' again.

I've also since heard that some places have machines to 3D print crowns onsite and can do it for as little as $300 each. I wish I knew that was a thing before I decided I was too poor to afford proper dental care.