Cheap dentistry in Auckland

[rainman]

I bust another tooth today, must be number six I think, I have lost count.

Does anyone know any options for really cheap dentistry in Auckland? Like as in REALLY REALLY cheap - my existing dentist is fairly cheap, but is still measured in the hundreds of dollars for most things, and would be thousands for the work that I need done. And besides, all of my fillings that are falling out were put in by him in the first place, might be time to shop around.

Or is my best option to find a cheap source of bulk paracetamol?

[enigma51]

I bust another tooth today, must be number six I think, I have lost count.

Does anyone know any options for really cheap dentistry in Auckland? Like as in REALLY REALLY cheap - my existing dentist is fairly cheap, but is still measured in the hundreds of dollars for most things, and would be thousands for the work that I need done. And besides, all of my fillings that are falling out were put in by him in the first place, might be time to shop around.

Or is my best option to find a cheap source of bulk paracetamol?

Yeah come see me i got hammer yesterday

[rainman]

Yeah come see me i got hammer yesterday

Got a hammer, or got hammered?

Tried that, it doesn't work, long term :)

[Mudfart]

ive been told going overseas is a good option for dentistry. Fiji apparently has good dentists that wont ask for a house as deposit. I suggest get as much money together as possible and go there to get all your work sorted in one hit.
That, or look to lower socio economic areas of Daukland/ rest of NZ for dentists that expect you to be a beneficiary.

[shafty]

If you need extensive work - consider a "Dental Holiday" - either Thailand ( www.gracedentalclinic.com ) or India (Goa www.goadentallounge.com )

Don't laugh!

As I am based in the Middle East presently, I have holidayed in both these spots and taken advantage of their world class dentistry and great rates, eg, a top quality porcelain veneer was made and fitted in beautiful Goa for $NZ274 - add a grand in NZ, do the numbers. If you have plenty of work to be done, you save $$$ and get a free holiday.

Years ago I heard Dental Holidays to Fiji were viable also....

[CookMySock]

Fark, what a cool idea. Dentists in NZ are a rip.

Steve

[rainman]

I suggest get as much money together as possible

Wouldn't be a bad option if I actually had more income than outgo every month, makes getting money together a bit tricky.

Thanks for the advice guys, but perhaps I didn't put in enough REALLY REALLY's in the original. If I could afford the overseas holiday I might be able to make a start on the dentistry. I'm more than a bit skint at the minute, so have to look for options closer to home. Will try parts of Souf Orkland and see what I can find.

Or just go for the bulk paracetamol...

[SMOKEU]

My dad had a fair bit of work done on his teeth in Taiwan recently. He said it was dirt cheap and the dentist was very good. A modern, clean environment and he's never been happier seeing a dentist. Next week I've got a fairly painful dental appointment; 4 fillings to do and 1 chipped tooth. I better take a decent dose of codeine before I go.

[Jonno.]

Go to hospital and get it pulled for 50 bucks.

[rainman]

Go to hospital and get it pulled for 50 bucks.

Is that any hospital, or only specific ones? I tried to call the North Shore Hospital but they said they didn't do dentistry, try Greenlane. They keep cutting me off when they transfer the call to the "correct department" (tried at least 5 times, gave up). Have you used the hospital service yourself?

[Jonno.]

No actually I am not one hundred percent sure but I have heard from more then one source that you can get it done at Middlemore.

[cave weta]

Is that any hospital, or only specific ones? I tried to call the North Shore Hospital but they said they didn't do dentistry, try Greenlane. They keep cutting me off when they transfer the call to the "correct department" (tried at least 5 times, gave up). Have you used the hospital service yourself?

Our local Guy in Waihi is $200 per tooth and absolutly pain free - I would totally recommend him- he sorted my mouth for $600 and I was previously quoted $5000!!

[rainman]

Our local Guy in Waihi is $200 per tooth and absolutly pain free - I would totally recommend him- he sorted my mouth for $600 and I was previously quoted $5000!!

Thanks, but at $200 a tooth I'm in for at least a grand or so, so not going to happen just at the moment. My existing dentist is about the same rate, and tends to use fillings instead of root canals where possible, to be even cheaper. This is false economy long term but does patch things up in the short term.

I was kinda looking for a cheapo cheapo student dentistry thing but outside of Otago there doesn't seem to be one. And the hospitals only do acute pain relief, so that probably won't include me. (I have a permanent headache and frequent gum infections but no acute toothache as most of my nerves have already been removed).

Maybe I should just pull the damn things out, if I can find a dentist who will do that, and accept payment on the never-never. Or take up boxing.

[Lucyloo]

Apparently Greenlane hospital have a dental unit.
There are only 20 appointments a day and you need to be there really early to get one. I believe that some people get there at 5am to queue - however it seems to be a fraction of the cost of a dentist so may be well worth the effort. This is all secondhand so not sure where exactly at Greenlane the unit is - but I guess if you wen to the main reception area of the clinic they would point you in the right direction.good luck!
L.

[rainman]

Apparently Greenlane hospital have a dental unit.

Ta, called them this morning. Apparently they only do acute inflamed pain on a triage basis (and then only extractions), so if there are 20 people ahead of me with swollen faces and claiming lots of pain I'll never be seen. But I'm more than welcome to pay the parking fee and sit in their waiting room all day.
Apparently I can (maybe) get my doctor to refer me though - would then take a few (6) months but might eventually work, person I spoke to wasn't sure. Looks like it's paracetamol for the moment... unless the gubbermint makes them illegal or something.

Thanks for all the advice. Conclusion: Maybe I should have moved to a country with decent dental services (public or private).

[EJK]

Thanks for all the advice. Conclusion: Maybe I should have moved to a country with decent dental services (public or private).

I feel your pain... :-(

[cave weta]

Thanks, but at $200 a tooth I'm in for at least a grand or so, so not going to happen just at the moment. My existing dentist is about the same rate, and tends to use fillings instead of root canals where possible, to be even cheaper. This is false economy long term but does patch things up in the short term.

I was kinda looking for a cheapo cheapo student dentistry thing but outside of Otago there doesn't seem to be one. And the hospitals only do acute pain relief, so that probably won't include me. (I have a permanent headache and frequent gum infections but no acute toothache as most of my nerves have already been removed).

Maybe I should just pull the damn things out, if I can find a dentist who will do that, and accept payment on the never-never. Or take up boxing.

he does never - nevers. he takes all the info on you and you fill in a comprehensive form but its interest free and you set the payments. I suffered for years and years cos I was shit scared of dentists- then, my darling friend Carmel - www.malahypnotherapy.com re programmed my fears and I went agot fixed- bliss! you have to do it! bad teeth run down your entire body and soul.
get a good mouth and you will be uplifted and vibrant!- its spectacular what it can do for your relationship and sexlife too!

[brockies05]

Well I went to Smile Dentist in Albany. My first visit was to fix a broken tooth and an hour later it was only $230 and I still think that was fairly reasonable.

I went back a week later to fix three fillings that were 'leaking', and this time after an hour in the chair, the bill was blimin $630!!!!!!

A number of my work colleagues were going to go to Smile Dental after the price of my first visit but now no-one from work nor myself and my partner will be returning.

I have asked for an itemised receipt but all it states was Posterior Composite Resoration x 3.

[steve_t]

Well I went to Smile Dentist in Albany. My first visit was to fix a broken tooth and an hour later it was only $230 and I still think that was fairly reasonable.

I went back a week later to fix three fillings that were 'leaking', and this time after an hour in the chair, the bill was blimin $630!!!!!!

A number of my work colleagues were going to go to Smile Dental after the price of my first visit but now no-one from work nor myself and my partner will be returning.

I have asked for an itemised receipt but all it states was Posterior Composite Resoration x 3.

If fixing one tooth was $230, wouldn't you have expected fixing 3 others to be possibly $690? When did they tell you that you needed 3 other fillings? Was it when you went the first time? They should probably have told you approx how much it would be for the next visit but at the same time, since they didn't, it probably would have been a good idea for you to ask.

[hellokitty]

Always ask for an itemised quote for treatment needed. The you can decided and prioritise what gets done first based on urgency or cost.
I work in a dental surgery and if people are concerned about the price (most people) I always tell them to let the dentist know that you need a price for the work BEFORE it is done.
It such an awful, humiliating feeling when you are charged a lot of money that you don't have, when you were expecting a lesser bill.
As I try to explain to the dentists, they need to be upfront about the cost, as a large unexpected bill is embarrassing and the normal reaction is anger.

[Maha]

Well I went to Smile Dentist in Albany. My first visit was to fix a broken tooth and an hour later it was only $230 and I still think that was fairly reasonable.

I went back a week later to fix three fillings that were 'leaking', and this time after an hour in the chair, the bill was blimin $630!!!!!!

A number of my work colleagues were going to go to Smile Dental after the price of my first visit but now no-one from work nor myself and my partner will be returning.

I have asked for an itemised receipt but all it states was Posterior Composite Resoration x 3.

I had some crown/bridge work done some years ago and it was $600 per tooth.
I had six done...:mellow:
You can/could enter into a payment aggreement? I was allowed to pay the bridge work off..didnt have the $3600 on me at the time.:shifty:
My last visit/s this year....broken tooth repair $133...two complex amalgam $316..xray and examination $178.
They want to extract an impacted wisdom but that can wait, it is not bothering me at all.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Te Puna Haora medical centre, Akoranga Dr. Dentist there is called Manaaki Dental.
Google them, probably cheapest in Akld. Heard nothing but good things about them.

[hellokitty]

I had some crown/bridge work done some years ago and it was $600 per tooth.
I had six done...:mellow:
You can/could enter into a payment aggreement? I was allowed to pay the bridge work off..didnt have the $3600 on me at the time.:shifty:
My last visit/s this year....broken tooth repair $133...two complex amalgam $316..xray and examination $178.
They want to extract an impacted wisdom but that can wait, it is not bothering me at all.

$600 per tooth for crown/bridge work - a bargain! :wings:
In back teeth, amalgam fillings (silver) :Punk: last longer and more durable than composite (white) and are cheaper too :Punk:

[Spearfish]

$600 per tooth for crown/bridge work - a bargain! :wings:
In back teeth, amalgam fillings (silver) :Punk: last longer and more durable than composite (white) and are cheaper too :Punk:
Are the amalgam ones safer than they used to be?
I'm heading to the murder house next week for oral bog job but wasn't given the option of silver fillings.

[steve_t]

Are the amalgam ones safer than they used to be?
I'm heading to the murder house next week for oral bog job but wasn't given the option of silver fillings.

AFAIK, the recipe for amalgam hasn't changed much in decades if not centuries. It's still about 50% mercury mixed with silver and tin. As for safety, it's always been contentious. If you want amalgam in your teeth, you should ask for it. A lot of places don't do amalgam fillings any more but if you really want it, you should be able to find somewhere that does

[Spearfish]

AFAIK, the recipe for amalgam hasn't changed much in decades if not centuries. It's still about 50% mercury mixed with silver and tin. As for safety, it's always been contentious. If you want amalgam in your teeth, you should ask for it. A lot of places don't do amalgam fillings any more but if you really want it, you should be able to find somewhere that does

Thanks for the info, I'm not sure I'm in a hurry for mercury.

[imdying]

The best brushes/paste I can get and six monthly check ups are looking cheaper all the time.

[Brett]

Whitford dental, cheapest AND best (and here I thought that these were two mutually exclusive terms...) service I have come across yet. Dr Phil Worthington is the guy to see.

[hellokitty]

Are the amalgam ones safer than they used to be?
I'm heading to the murder house next week for oral bog job but wasn't given the option of silver fillings.

Generally speaking, amalgam fillings can last for many years, I have amalgam fillings that were done 25 years ago and they are fine. White fillings have a life of 5 to 7 years. They cost more, and need to be replaced much more often. In back teeth, you are more likely to have post-op pain white white fillings, sometime this doesn't settle down.
The mercury is stable in the filling - when it is being drilled out, it is less stable, but this is more of a concern for the dentist and assistant as they do it all day long - anyway the high volume suction will be on top of the filling to catch any dust and fragments as it is being removed.


AFAIK, the recipe for amalgam hasn't changed much in decades if not centuries. It's still about 50% mercury mixed with silver and tin. As for safety, it's always been contentious. If you want amalgam in your teeth, you should ask for it. A lot of places don't do amalgam fillings any more but if you really want it, you should be able to find somewhere that does

There are arguments for and against both materials. My boss always say do you want Alzhiemers or Parkinsons?
There are some nasty chemicals in the white fillings, which apparently have been linked to Parkinsons.
Amalgam is cheaper and lasts longer, and has less post-op pain.

For what is worth, I have white, silver and gold in my mouth. I would never have white in back teeth as the white tends to flex when eating and hurts, I had white but had to have it taken out and replaced with silver so I could eat.

[unstuck]

Auckland hospital school of dentistry, cheap as fuckin chips, if you dont mind the wait.:headbang:

[Macontour]

A+ Dental in Howick are pretty good. Dr Fang(thats what he calls himself) has many international qualifications, has a prestigious award from Rotary for his many years as a Dentist in New Guinea or somewhere.

I have always felt that I got a good deal(money and treatment wise) from him.

I have had a little bit of follow up smoothing or something done on a filling after it was irritating me and he did it for free. He said that I had paid for the job and needed to be happy it was right.

Another time I had a minor chipp on a tooth that he did some filing to sort out and only charged $20, I expected $80-100.

Best of all, he is a Biker. Has a BMW 1200 or something.

Years back I went to a Dentist upstairs in Botany Town Centre. Absolutely worst experience ever. It was for an urgent root canal before I headed overseas. The female Dentist and Assistant/hygeinist were obviously having a bad hair day or something, they were snapping at each other, the assistant was taking too long to make the filling, the assistant made the wrong thing, handed the wrong tools over, the dentist was sighing and impatient. The Dentist said I didn't need pain relief because the root was dead, all good until she was forcing the Gutta Percha sticks down into the canal itself. Then she was pushing that metal loop with the sharp edges so hard down onto my gums that I was sliding down the chair trying to get away from her and she just kept doing it.

Then to top it off, she had told me one price and I got charged another, settled after a phone call and some explanations but frustrating to say the least.

Only bad experience I have had with dentists but not nice.

As has said here, bad teeth can have a bad effect on the health of the whole body, it pays to get them sorted.

I guess there may also be the possibility of financial help from WINZ, they seem to give out money for all sorts of things.

[oldrider]

I bust another tooth today, must be number six I think, I have lost count.

Does anyone know any options for really cheap dentistry in Auckland? Like as in REALLY REALLY cheap - my existing dentist is fairly cheap, but is still measured in the hundreds of dollars for most things, and would be thousands for the work that I need done. And besides, all of my fillings that are falling out were put in by him in the first place, might be time to shop around.

Or is my best option to find a cheap source of bulk paracetamol?

Dental school in Dunedin .... they learn ... you churn! :crybaby: Seriously though, check them out! ... They are good! :niceone:

[unstuck]

Dental school in Dunedin .... they learn ... you churn! :crybaby: Seriously though, check them out! ... They are good! :niceone:

+1 Got 3 teeth yanked there last year, only cost $68.:niceone: Lost another 3 a month or two later, thanks to a careless fucker with some 90mm LD alkathene.:devil2:

[hellokitty]

Te Puna Haora medical centre, Akoranga Dr. Dentist there is called Manaaki Dental.
Google them, probably cheapest in Akld. Heard nothing but good things about them.

I now work for the dentist that owns this surgery, he also has one in Northcross and Birkenhead. :niceone: Awesome guy, and the other dentists that work for him are great too. Very realistic pricing. We do WINZ quotes too, which means if you are on a benefit, you can pay WINZ back really slowly, like $10 a week!

[frogfeaturesFZR]

I now work for the dentist that owns this surgery, he also has one in Northcross and Birkenhead. :niceone: Awesome guy, and the other dentists that work for him are great too. Very realistic pricing. We do WINZ quotes too, which means if you are on a benefit, you can pay WINZ back really slowly, like $10 a week!

WINZ advance repayments are more like $5.00 p/w.
The new surgery at Northcross is great.

[hellokitty]

WINZ advance repayments are more like $5.00 p/w.
The new surgery at Northcross is great.

ooooh so I will have met you then. There was a nice guy with the yummiest Buell that I was drooling over.... that wasn't you was it? :laugh:

Edit - I think I know you, you have an Aprilia so does that make you Bryan? hahahaha.
Though I am sure there is more than 1 Aprilia rider in the area

[sil3nt]

Haven't been to a dentist for about 10 years.

Would hate to think what they would charge to fix whatever is wrong with my teeth.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

ooooh so I will have met you then. There was a nice guy with the yummiest Buell that I was drooling over.... that wasn't you was it? :laugh:

Edit - I think I know you, you have an Aprilia so does that make you Bryan? hahahaha.
Though I am sure there is more than 1 Aprilia rider in the area

I work for WINZ. And I'm not Bryan. Seen a lot of dental quotes over the years, and Te Puna
Have consistently been the cheapest.
PS, the dental receptionist at Akoranga is a hottie, my 21 year old son loved her !

[Flip]

I agree about the amalgum being the way to go. As long as the mercury is bound and fixed its not a problem.

I had a fight with a guy with a shovel a few years ago and lost a few front teeth, the bloddy white ones only last 5-10 years then have to be re-done, I have spent a lot of money on them over the last 30 years.

The only problem with pulling teeth is when you pull one out the unsupported one next door often dies, or it did with me. I had 1 pulled on one side then the next died and was removed then the third died it had to be root canaled. It took a couple of years and I was in constant pain the whole time. My dentist tried to get the root out but did not have long enough drills to get to the bottom of the root so I had to go to a endodontist to get it fixed.

[Kickaha]

the bloddy white ones only last 5-10 years then have to be re-done

I think that must depend on where they are, I had white fillings in my front teeth up around the gum line so it isn't in an area any pressure is applied when eating and after 30 years they have just been replaced

[Usarka]

White fillings leech shit like bpa. Mimics estrogen.