Something to get your teeth into......

[LB]

I know that in the greater scheme of things (world famines, floods, earthquakes, etc etc) this isn’t a big deal, but it’s a big issue with me at the moment.

Late yesterday I was eating a peppermint and broke a HUGE bit of tooth off. Let me add at this point that my teeth are more filling than tooth. So I rings up the dentist and make an appt for 8.30am today.

NOTE: my dentist of the last 15 years has just retired, so I went to “The Gentle Dental Centre” in Dixon Street, after recommendations from a couple of people at work. I'm a real sook when it comes to dentists and having teeth worked on.

The dentist is a young bloke, very nice. The long and the short of it is this.

The tooth that broke has only filling left, all the enamel has gone. The nerve in said tooth is dead (hence I didn’t feel any pain).

Several options as to what can be done with it:

- a root canal, followed by a crown

- remove the tooth and leave a gap

- remove the tooth and put a false one in

HOWEVER - there are several other teeth that are virtually all fillings, and the fillings have been in for many many years and are about to need either replacing, or preferably crowning.

So if I have all the work done that they are recommending, I’m up for the best part of $5,000 (that’s not a typo, that’s five grand). Not to mention heaps of time spent in the dentist chair.

I have known for some time that sooner or later my teeth were going to cost me big time, but I’m a bit shellshocked. I guess I’m after some sympathy really.

Anyone else got anything similar going on in their lives?

[James Deuce]

Anyone else got anything similar going on in their lives?

Yes. Two Kids.

[Hitcher]

Been there, done that, got eight crowns. At about $700 a go that adds up! Get as many done in one hit as you can afford -- that reduces the numbers of moulds and temporary crowns, and the amount of time you need to spend in the chair!

[Motu]

I'm sitting here with one or two sore teeth,thinking I better go to have them looked at - but I'll give it a few more days....they might fix themselve eh? Spent $1800 about 12 yrs ago,there's not many left in there,but they still let me know they are still around.

[merv]

Nothing similar going on, but I feel sorry for you. Does that help?

No wonder you couldn't have lunch with us today.

[MikeL]

Been there, done that, got eight crowns. At about $700 a go that adds up! !

You either got them some time ago, or your dentist is very cheap.
I've lost count of how many I've had, but I know that none of them cost less than $900.
My wife is due to have an implant next month. The cost of that (for just one tooth) would buy quite a nice bike...
At least it's some consolation to know that my 2 sons have got well past their teens without any dental work to speak of. Fluoridatation, perhaps.

[SPman]

Pull em all out I say..:blink:

Have you considered a set of false choppers..? :bleh:

[k14]

Ohh that sucks bigtime. Yeah dentists do charge big time.

When I was 10 or so I fell off my push bike and broke off half of my 2 front teeth. Only had the permanent crowns put on at the start of this year and that cost about $500 on top of the around $1200 ACC paid for them. Can't say I am happy with the job either, it doesn't sit right and in a different color to my other teeth, but I am stuck with that. Ohh well it's only money.

Maybe you could sell one of your dukes :Pokey:

[sAsLEX]

Go the free dental from work!!

[wari]

IFit doesnt hurt pullit out with some pliers yourself ... :spudwave:

POp a penut inits place ... works a treat ... fits perfectly.

TRust me on this one .. :yeah:

I didit myself by accidint once when I losta wisdom tooth.

...

TRue story this ...

I was tenhsioning up a wire fence with the wire thredded through the claw of my hammer .. :blink:

... hmmm

THats all i've got to say about that ... :mellow:

[Pickle]

Crikey 5 grand, think of all the carbon fibre goodies you could buy for the Dukes for that much. Do Ducati make carbon fibre teeth??

Get falsies -- teeth I meant

[Ms Piggy]

I have known for some time that sooner or later my teeth were going to cost me big time, but I’m a bit shellshocked. I guess I’m after some sympathy really.

Anyone else got anything similar going on in their lives?

Ouch!! :blink: I have a pretty average set of noshers too and I know that they will end up costing me a bit. I am a bit slack & unless it's causing me pain I'll just leave it, of course this meant I I had to get a bridge false tooth thingamee and that cost lots.

So lotsa sympathy from me. :yes:

[Redstar]

If the tooth nerve is dead you won't need a root canal? a Crown will cost $850 to $950 or a Bridge for $2000 or $40 at A&E for a plier job.
Geddis offer terms and take all major credit cards.
You could buy a half decent bike for $5000 but we want you to look good!

[LB]

Thanks for the thoughts guys and guyesses.

I'm kind of getting a bit more used to the idea now, though still rather terrified about all the work to be done. Will be ringing the dentist today to get him to pull the broken tooth so that will be (hopefully) the worst bit over with.

Yes Doug, a bit of a delay on carbon fibre goodies for the Monsters.....

[Paul in NZ]

I remember sitting in my dentists chair in our home town.

Our family dentist had retired and passed the practice onto his daughter (very nice lady btw)..

She was a bit grumpy as she had been having words with her husband (an expensive type of doctor) while they were driving back from their new place they had just built at Wanaka (seen the photos, their holiday house is worth about as much as my entire neighbourhood).... She had needed a new car (why? dunno) and had bought a new (as in brand new) BMW... He got sniffy about her having a better car than him and so traded his in on a new (as in brand new) Range Rover....

:argh:

I tell you......

Nothing she did that day hurt more than paying that account.....

[Hitcher]

You either got them some time ago, or your dentist is very cheap.
I've lost count of how many I've had, but I know that none of them cost less than $900.
My wife is due to have an implant next month. The cost of that (for just one tooth) would buy quite a nice bike...
At least it's some consolation to know that my 2 sons have got well past their teens without any dental work to speak of. Fluoridatation, perhaps.

My dentist is a star! A kiwi who had a practice in Harley Street in London. Came home to NZ when his dad died (also a dentist) and took over his practice in Khandallah. Does it as a bit of a "lifestyle" business. Commutes to Khandallah each day from Waikanae (in his V12 Merc). Best dentist I've ever had and about 20-25% cheaper than those on the Terrace.

[Hitcher]

Thanks for the thoughts guys and guyesses.

I'm kind of getting a bit more used to the idea now, though still rather terrified about all the work to be done. Will be ringing the dentist today to get him to pull the broken tooth so that will be (hopefully) the worst bit over with.

Yes Doug, a bit of a delay on carbon fibre goodies for the Monsters.....

Hey Lynda, get some Ducati crowns (with titanium sliders)...

[jrandom]

I need a filling done on a top left molar, and I've been doing the "ignore it and maybe it'll go away" thing for a couple of months now. But every time I get something sugary up the hole, the pain goes hypersonic.

I haven't been to a dentist for about six years. I think I need to take the plunge before I end up with a list of root canals as long as my arm that need to be done to stop the bottom half of my head falling off.

[Hitcher]

I need a filling done on a top left molar, and I've been doing the "ignore it and maybe it'll go away" thing for a couple of months now. But every time I get something sugary up the hole, the pain goes hypersonic.

I haven't been to a dentist for about six years. I think I need to take the plunge before I end up with a list of root canals as long as my arm that need to be done to stop the bottom half of my head falling off.
You big woos!

[jrandom]

You big woos!

Shaddup. I'm just... busy.

[pete376403]

Bloody teeth - look after then and it costs and arm and a leg. Ignore them and it costs even more.

[James Deuce]

I need a filling done on a top left molar, and I've been doing the "ignore it and maybe it'll go away" thing for a couple of months now. But every time I get something sugary up the hole, the pain goes hypersonic.

I haven't been to a dentist for about six years. I think I need to take the plunge before I end up with a list of root canals as long as my arm that need to be done to stop the bottom half of my head falling off.
Sounds like me.

I need to have an accident where I knock all my teeth out.

My dentist just "retired" at 50 and is going Porsche racing in Aus.

I think my wife paid for the mid-life crisis racing career.

I might try Hitcher's fellow.

[moko]

I would have been smug up until 2 weeks ago.We`ve got a Government subsidised Dental service,well we did until the Govt cut back on the fees they pay,got to pay for those cluster bombs somehow,and now all the Dentists in the whole of the South-west are either going private or refusing to accept new N.H.S. patients.Mine wants all his patients to pay every month just to stay on his list,idiot`s just asking for a brick through his nice new plate-glas round here.This`ll sound weird but there`s the same situation in Germany and hundreds of Germans go across the border to Liechtenstein.Here the Govt is trying to recruit Polish dentists and also pay French dentists to come over on working holidays.This country`s shit,most of our hospitals are staffed by cheap labour,medical staff from the Phillipines,Spain e.t.c.,typically the Govt think they`re saving a fortune not training our own people but what happens when somewhere else offers them more money?

[Milky]

my dentist is suprisingly good... not the cheapest, but he knows both my parents and PT. Just recently his son took over as he was getting on a bit, but the service hasnt changed at all - must be something with keeping it in the family :msn-wink:
A note to those parents out there: get your kids teeth done with a decent dentist, even if it costs a bit more than the free??? dentist in school type... I think half the damage done to my teeth was as a result of poorly fitted and maintained fissure sealant and fillings :crazy: I am not sure who of the private dentists accept the govt subsidy,or even if it is still in operation, but look around and there will be a list somewhere...

[Hitcher]

Sounds like me.

I need to have an accident where I knock all my teeth out.

My dentist just "retired" at 50 and is going Porsche racing in Aus.

I think my wife paid for the mid-life crisis racing career.

I might try Hitcher's fellow.
Mark De Berry -- 479 2294

[James Deuce]

Mark De Berry -- 479 2294

Thank!

How many Hundreds to get it the door? And will turning up thoroughly drunk save me money on anaesthetic.

[jrandom]

Sigh.

Anyone feel like recommending a good dentist on the Shore, or alternatively someone out west that opens on Saturdays?

[Hitcher]

Thank!

How many Hundreds to get it the door? And will turning up thoroughly drunk save me money on anaesthetic.
Like most dentists you pay to get out, and turning up drunk sometimes helps with a range of endeavours!

Mark is a good source of advice on red wine, fine dining, high-performance cars (he once owned a Shelby Cobra), gardening, champagne and anything else relating to the bon vivante. A thoroughly entertaining way to spend half an hour with your mouth open!

[Jackrat]

Their all a bunch of crooks,they have us by the short an curlys an they know it.I had some work done years ago and when I asked the crook how long it would last, he just smiled an said I would be back.
Well he got that wrong.I got the lot pulled out 10years ago.
Best money I ever spent.
Now I like chewing on an ice block and having a hot drink at the same time.
Plus I can lick the end of my nose without my teeth in :niceone: :laugh:

[James Deuce]

Their all a bunch of crooks,they have us by the short an curlys an they know it.I had some work done years ago and when I asked the crook how long it would last, he just smiled an said I would be back.
Well he got that wrong.I got the lot pulled out 10years ago.
Best money I ever spent.
Now I like chewing on an ice block and having a hot drink at the same time.
Plus I can lick the end of my nose without my teeth in :niceone: :laugh:

LOL!

How's the XR going??

[Posh Tourer :P]

my dentist is suprisingly good... not the cheapest, but he knows both my parents and PT. Just recently his son took over as he was getting on a bit, but the service hasnt changed at all - must be something with keeping it in the family :msn-wink:
A note to those parents out there: get your kids teeth done with a decent dentist, even if it costs a bit more than the free??? dentist in school type... I think half the damage done to my teeth was as a result of poorly fitted and maintained fissure sealant and fillings :crazy: I am not sure who of the private dentists accept the govt subsidy,or even if it is still in operation, but look around and there will be a list somewhere...

I second that motion.... He is very concerned not only with doing the fillings that need doing, but also addressing the root causes of decay. He's been over my diet and eating times with me, and explained the chemistry of it all. He's given out preventative measures such as high flouride toothpaste and given me a good slap on the wrist for not following his advice... in the form of two fillings... :brick: he will explain what he is doing to you if you are interested, and gives good advice. While I got a more expensive white filling done by my orthodontist, I'd have been just as happy to go to Gianni Dental, I was mainly trying out the other guys service as I was already going there for my orthodontal work to be done.

[Hitcher]

Their all a bunch of crooks,they have us by the short an curlys an they know it.I had some work done years ago and when I asked the crook how long it would last, he just smiled an said I would be back.
Well he got that wrong.I got the lot pulled out 10years ago.
Best money I ever spent.
Now I like chewing on an ice block and having a hot drink at the same time.
Plus I can lick the end of my nose without my teeth in :niceone: :laugh:
And just when I thought I was aware of all of the pleasures associated with a toothless grin...

[Velox]

I did the same thing - on a Griffins chocky chip cookie though! Sad eh? -Your food's not meant to bite back! I had to get a root canal (cause it was stuffed anyway) and a crown too! Good luck.

[Slim]

Plus I can lick the end of my nose without my teeth in :niceone: :laugh:
I can do that anyway, and I've still got all my teeth! :bleh:

jrandom: I used to go to the Newmarket Dental Group when I was in Auckland. I know they do late nights, but not sure about Saturdays. These Guys (http://www.akldental.co.nz/) are open 7 days.

The advantage of going to a Dental Group is that overheads are kept down & so treatments aren't as outrageously priced as you'd imagine from a dentist situated in Remuera Rd. I was shocked that most treatments were twice the price when I tried to find a dentist after moving to Hamilton.

Check out http://www.yellowpages.co.nz/quick/search?cat=625&view=loc&page=search&loc=1 and do the ring around.


Lynda: Bite the bullet & get the work done. You're best to keep your own teeth as long as possible & having crowns or implants is a far better option than the problems you may encounter once you make the move to falsies.

[LB]

Well, the extraction wasn't bad at all, I was "a brave little soldier" as the dentist so eloquently put it! All started to heal up nicely, and on Monday I made another appt for a few day's time to start having some rest of the work done that needs to be done.

So what happens yesterday? Another bloody huge piece of tooth on the other side breaks off, same scenario as last one, it's only filling left. Shit. So going to the dentist on Tuesday, and I am sure this one will have to come out as well. Shit, shit, shit. I feel like I'm falling apart.

[Hitcher]

Shit, shit, shit. I feel like I'm falling apart.
There, there. Nothing that time and money can't fix!