Costs of dentistry

[MisterC1501]

I have a problematic tooth at the moment, so decided to visit my dentist for a check-up. It's been a couple of years since I last saw him (generally dental fit) but he gave me an exam and took some x-rays. His diagnosis was either a root filling, or take the tooth out.

Not such a hard decision really I hear you say. When I asked him how much this would all cost, he gave me an estimate for the filling at .......... wait for it, £390 To take the tooth out would cost me £85.

Add to this the cost of the exam at £35, and the x-rays at £15, this is fast becoming one expensive tooth .

What do I do, do I have the tooth out, or have the root filing?? Do I try and find an NHS dentist (do they still exist), do I add this onto the price of my car that is for sale

[castellsmith123]

Hope your not selling the car to pay for the denist!!!!

[dave stew]

Keep searching for an NHS dentist - they do exist!

[t5_monkey]

get an NHS dentist and pay the extra for a ceramic filling. Just ring around, I registered no problems here in Glasgow - it'll save you a packet.

Amalgam is not good, ceramic a much better option if you are health conscious.

[S70T5Chris]

I used to have a private dentist, cost me a bloody fortune. Luckily I went on a waiting list for an NHS dentist and have been on with them for a year or so! So they are around if you look.

Personally I would do what ever it takes to get the tooth sorted. Toothache is the worst thing ever! I've had 2 root canals in the last 5 years or so (both privately, similar sort of money you've been quoted). I'd have paid anything to get it fixed it was that painful.

If the tooth is near the back, and money is an issue, get it whipped out. On a weekend when all the dentists are shut, give the NHS dental thingy a ring, and there will be a walk in centre in your area for emergency treatment. £15 to pull it out, job done!

[Marvin]

Try conntacting your local health authority, ours here in the Midlands have a main contact number from which they tell you your nearest NHS dentist. Best of luck but do get it sorted the longer you leave them the worse it gets I know.

[neevo]

An NHS root fill is still expensive. Depending on where the tooth is I'd go for a removal

However, have you thought of trying sensodyne (sainsburys do their own version that's only £1/tube)

For quick relief dissolve doubel the normal dose of soluble aspirin in a glass then take a mouthful and hold it over the tooth for a couple of mins then spit it out and repeat. It gives localised help and as you are spitting most of it out you arent likely to overdose

I've done all 3, the removal is the most expensive but a permanent fix as you;ve pointed out

[Hunter]

My wife and I visit my dentist every six months for a checkup and get any work done. Been with Denplan for about 20 years - www.denplan.co.uk - paying a monthly fee (currently around £35 for both of us and children were included too until they reached 18) so don't get hit with big bills. Worth asking your dentist if this is an option?

[MisterC1501]

Originally Posted by dave stew

Keep searching for an NHS dentist - they do exist!

The dentist we use as a family, once was an NHS practice, but they changed over to the private sector.

When we moved out of the area about 6 years ago, we tried to register with the village dentist, but again, they were private. So we have kept with the same one now, but haven't felt the financial impact as such before since treatments were only check-ups. The kids are of course free of charge.

[MisterC1501]

Originally Posted by neevo

However, have you thought of trying sensodyne (sainsburys do their own version that's only £1/tube)

Done that, but I think it is beyond treatment by toothpaste

[MisterC1501]

Originally Posted by Hunter

My wife and I visit my dentist every six months for a checkup and get any work done. Been with Denplan for about 20 years - www.denplan.co.uk - paying a monthly fee (currently around £35 for both of us and children were included too until they reached 18) so don't get hit with big bills. Worth asking your dentist if this is an option?

Denplan...... So you've spent £8400 on an instalment plan How much treatment have you had?? Even at the private dentist were we go, the kids are free. Both my children have/are having othodontic (braces, etc) correction, but as a rule, me and wifey just have check-ups.

I did look into this denplan scam......sorry scheme, and you have to be dentally fit (require no treatment) prior to acceptance, then the dentist assesses you knashers and predicts what treatment you may require...which puts you into a dental category that equates a monthly fee. I also believe, that you may be required to pay additionally if you require a certain treatment!!

Not for me thanks

[MisterC1501]

Originally Posted by S70T5Chris

If the tooth is near the back, and money is an issue, get it whipped out. On a weekend when all the dentists are shut, give the NHS dental thingy a ring, and there will be a walk in centre in your area for emergency treatment. £15 to pull it out, job done!

Good idea

[straight5]

I have never had a prblem finding NHS dentists living around York. Our local one recently offered to do a black filling for me for £35 or £85 for a white one. Looks like thats a good saving over private. I would seriously have to question the value of paying £35 a month for a private plan.

[HADI]

Nhs all the way for me, free check ups and a filling only costs bout £15 , not that i ever get any as my teeth are looked after well lol

[JUDGENINJA]

No issues with finding a NHS dentist here...

[cornclose]

Originally Posted by Hunter

My wife and I visit my dentist every six months for a checkup and get any work done. Been with Denplan for about 20 years - www.denplan.co.uk - paying a monthly fee (currently around £35 for both of us and children were included too until they reached 18) so don't get hit with big bills. Worth asking your dentist if this is an option?

Me too. Currently paying £32 a month for me, wifey and three kids. Been on the plan for about 10 years now although it gradually creeps up in price as you'd expect. Still, at the current price it's still worth every penny IMO.

[MisterC1501]

Originally Posted by cornclose

Me too. Currently paying £32 a month for me, wifey and three kids. Been on the plan for about 10 years now although it gradually creeps up in price as you'd expect. Still, at the current price it's still worth every penny IMO.

Have you had any treatment, and does this amount to the money you have paid monthly?? I very much doubt this.

[Hunter]

Originally Posted by MisterC1501

Have you had any treatment, and does this amount to the money you have paid monthly?? I very much doubt this.

Do you have comprehensive car insurance? Warranty on your car? House insurance? How much are you paying for all that and getting nothing back for it?

You are having to decide, because of the cost, between having a tooth filled and having it removed. With our teeth insurance, we don't have to make that decision. Why not just have all your teeth out and forget about the costs of dentistry for the rest of your life??!

[woking rob]

if u wait for it to really start hurting u will pull it out ur self thats wot i done lol

[Baj]

There were no NHS dentists round here taking on new people (there are plenty of NHS dentists about but none are taking in new patients) when I needed some work done.
I went to the local one and pleaded for them to have a look even though I was not on their books as it was an emergency.

I am now on their books by default