Toothache and dental treatment

[rainman]

They quoted me (belive it or not) around $3,000 for the treatment. $3,000 for one 3cm-long-fucking-tooth. FOR A SINGLE TOOTH!

In Welly they charge like wounded bulls and it's around 5K WITH the crown for a molar.

I had a root canal recently and it cost around $1,100. Any more expensive and I would have just pulled the fucker out - by finding a dentist that does extractions, of course. (That's tooth extractions, not money from the wallet extractions). My dentist understands this and knows I will not fund his yacht and Porche - I'll pay a fair price, beyond that he can get screwed and I'll go elsewhere.

Dentists in NZ are taking the piss on a large scale. 15 years ago I was quoted $11k by an expensive dentist to fix all my teeth up properly (I have really shitty teeth, hardly any have nerves left, and I usually have a few broken ones at any time). And that was with all the latest gadgetry and digital x-rays and all. For a price like that to go to $5k PER PROCEDURE in 15 years is just a crock.

Tell 'em to shove it where the sun don't shine and shop around.

[CookMySock]

Last time I got something like that done, the damn thing split down the center and fell out within a week. Not amused.

Steve

[EJK]

Fark if that is including the crown then shit that's a good price! In Welly they charge like wounded bulls and it's around 5K WITH the crown for a molar.


The only thing to consider is that root canal is not ALWAYS 100% effective...SO you could spend the dosh and still lose the tooth down the track....

It happens - however if you can pay it off I would definitely say do your best to keep it in your head...depending on how much damage is done and the skill of your dentist you might be one of the lucky ones

$3K good price? Hmmm... I'll think about that. (Might have to sell my bike. No choice). I better get it sorted as soon as possible. It's bloody annoying! I can hardly sleep at night. Sigh...

[Maha]

Im no Dental Surgeon EJ but, get a second opinion, $3K??
I had my eyeball cut open and a new lens put in for that.

Extraction is way to go if at all possible, pain gone in seconds, about as long as it takes to whip a tooth out. If extraction is not a real option, (bearing in mind Dentists would rather not extract ching ching) then you may well just have to stick with plan A.

[imdying]

Linterman, AMP building. You won't save any money, but you'll get a top job and he'll do his best to make it as painless as possible (FWIW with a job like that). Go talk to him.

[Maha]

Have you had an x-ray on the tooth EJ?
It may be so decayed that they have no option but to pull it.

[EJK]

Sure will, thanks.

I'll find a cheaper way. But if I fail, I'll just have to pull it out (by the dentist). Sigh, if only God made human teeth with Titanium...

Have you had an x-ray on the tooth EJ?
It may be so decayed that they have no option but to pull it.

Not yet, If lucky I'll make an appointment later this afternoon and find out. I don't like lollies and I do use Colegate so hope it's not too bad.

[Max Preload]

Pull the bastard. Root canals and crowns are more of a pain in the ass than having no tooth there - the fucking things are just a money-making venture for dentists that plays on your own vanity. I don't have any crowns (I still have all my own teeth with just one missing - top left wisdom tooth) but everyone I know is always having their crowns come off. My dentist, who is fantastic, reckons the same thing.

For $3000 per molar you can buy a lot of blenders to do your chewing for you if it ever comes to that! That's my philosophy, anyway.

[CookMySock]

BTW if pain and nervousness is an issue, ask your GP for 2 grams of Lorazepam tabs, and drop them both on an empty stomach about 30mins before your appointment. You won't be driving home though, and you will have to resist the temptation to tell the dentist where and how to stick the needle and have a go with the drill yourself.

Steve

[MSTRS:Me]

Of all the 'professions' Dentistry has the highest rate of suicide. It's probably an inability to live with teh embarassment and shame of their charges.
Just get the fucker pulled.
And what's all this 'gum, bone, jaw collapse'? Bullshit.

[Flip]

If you have great teeth get it fixed, otherwise get it pulled. If you get it pulled go to an older more experienced dentist (its all technique).
"And what's all this 'gum, bone, jaw collapse'? Bullshit." Its dentist talk for an uneven set of teeth top and bottom causing problems.
If the infection is causing a lot of problems-pain and you still want to get it fixed go to your GP and get some antibiotics like amoxicyllin, they will hold the infection for a short while but it will return in a few weeks. If you have been to the dentist ask them for a script cause they can percribe these. Going on biotics gives you a break to save some dosh.
Look into the dentist school, its in Dunedin, it sounds like a good idea.

[vifferman]

Sorry - I can't help you; I'm currently suffering from a falling-apart molar myself (because my wife vetoed paying $1500 for a crown).
But I can send you some scary educational pictures and movies about dental surgery...

[Finn]

Dentists are like most trades people. Don't trust em.

[Swoop]

Dentists are like most trades people. Don't trust em.

Bollocks. They went to Alcoholism School (a.k.a "university") so they are "professionals"...
/sarcasm.

[EJK]

Sorry - I can't help you; I'm currently suffering from a falling-apart molar myself (because my wife vetoed paying $1500 for a crown).
But I can send you some scary educational pictures and movies about dental surgery...

I think I'd like to see that.

What's for sure, Clove oil is quite powerful.

And for my teeth, I think I'll have to get it pulled. It's the poor people's way. There is no other choice. It's a fact that I just can't afford $3,000 (or near that amount). Simple.