Cost of dental treatment is painful ...

[Daisydoodlepoo]

Having moved house and unable to get signed up with an NHS dentist, I registered with a private practice just over 12 months ago as I was experiencing pain with back tooth which had had root canal treatment about 10 years ago. The cost of the treatment including extraction was £1800. Today I have been for a routine check up and x ray identified issues with 2 front teeth which apparently are likely to result in both failing 2/3 years down the line. The cause is linked to undue pressure on the teeth as a result of overbite. My dentist said we need a plan to address these issues including work to build up the back teeth to reduce the impact of the overbite, potential loss of teeth etc. I understand that the treatment cost would be around 10k which is significant in addition to the £1800 spent relatively recently. My first reaction was that I said I simply could not justify that amount of spend at present to which she asked me directly if I was in financial difficulty and I should be honest if that is the case. Also if I did not go down this route, what would be my plan when teeth failed as was likely. I just felt really uncomfortable with these questions as thankfully I am not in financial difficulty, but on the other hand, being suddenly presented with unplanned expenditure of 10k was a shock and asking anyone directly if they are struggling financially seems insensitive and unreasonable given the amount involved is not insignificant. Maybe I am being too sensitive? but the whole experience made me feel a bit emotional and incredibly frustrated like everyone else is with the state of NHS dentistry. 😟

@Lollygaggle The two dentist who did my implants recently were great - absolute artists - it is amazing and you wouldn't know it wasn't a real tooth - I often forget myself.

It was a very careful process with lots of stages and checking for healing and any infection. I would not want to rush it.

@Lollygaggle Thank you. I assumed wrongly the equipment would be standard dentistry. Explains the high costs.

Thank you, its the impression some give in adverts. Get new teeth in one day!
I did wonder if it was realistic.

Oh god no, it is a very drawn out process as it is invasive surgery.

You have to have scans and an assessment to check you gum health and bone density. You may also need an x ray to check where your jaw nerve is.

Then if you need a tooth out first that has to be removed and the gum stitched.

There may be a couple of appointments to remove the stiches and check everything is healing nicely.

Once that is healed they screw a steel post in to space and restitch the gum.

They need to check a couple of times it is healing well and remove the stiches.

Then you need to have a scan to check the bone and steel post are bonding property.

Then you need scans to make a crown.

Then finally you have an appointment to fit the crown.

It will take longer if you need a bone graft or a sinus lift.

I lost my help with dental costs when I was moved onto universal credit. I'm supposed to have regular root scaling for periodontal disease but I can't justify the cost when I have my kids to take care of.

You'd get cheaper treatment on the nhs if you could find a nhs dentist. But you wouldn't get the treatment this dentist is talking about.

Im fortunate enough to have an NHS dentist and Ive got a mixed bite and a grinding problem. Due to nighttime grinding that smashed a tooth, it's was capped but the cap is shorter than the previous tooth. I was concerned about that, was told it wouldn't be a problem. Yeah sure 2 nighttime mouth guards 2 more smashed teeth and 2 chips later I guess it was a problem I'd forseen.

My dentist is fab but they are restricted to what they are allowed to do.

10K they are taking the piss shop around.

I might be in a similar position

I don't have confirmation of it yet because only some emergency work has been done

A single denture is one option.

When I looked it up, I found people commenting that their dentist hadn't told them about it - so just putting it out there in case that's an issue.

Next thing I'd say - the dentist also asked me if I was having any financial issues. Basically, I think they might reduce the price if you do. Probably not significantly, but there you go.

I do see the thing about potential problems as a red flag. They are potential problems. Does that mean they are imminent? Does it mean she thinks you might have some issues in the future? And what does building up the back teeth mean?

Finally, I will say it's probably worth getting a second opinion when you're looking at that kind of bill. If I end up looking at that kind of bill, I will get a second opinion. I know somebody who was told by one dentist that she needed for root canal fillings. She went to another place and they told her she only needed one.

The only reason I think I might end up with that bill is that I grind my teeth, I've severely cracked two into the root and there's an adjacent one that I think is an issue. If I end up needing three dental implants, that's where I think that bill comes from.

I might actually consider a denture.

It is horrifying and upsetting, or I think it is to be looking at that aged 50, but I also think it might be preferable to having implants. And bone graft, etc if those are needed, I gather most people need them.

I sympathise OP, I’ve spent a fortune at the dentist. I’ve actually gone private, because I am ridiculously unlucky with dental matters, and by going private I still get 6 monthly check ups and a hygienist appointment every three months. I am stringent with dental hygiene while DH does his 2 mins brushing and never bothers with flossing or teepee brushes or anything, and he NEVER needs work. I had complicated specialist root canal last year which cost thousands (the treatment wouldn’t have been available on the NHS, so it’s not just that I paid over the odds because private) and it really annoys me that I just have to suck up these costs to protect my teeth, when other people don’t have the same issues and therefore costs!

it’s not great how the dentist made you feel re: cost though, mine is really good about talking through costs and alternatives and cost vs benefit for pricier treatment.

Are there really many people who honestly feel that 10K is not a big spend?

Reading a book from the 70s, where people expect to see a dentist free of charge, and find it normal that their own GP will pop round at night if their child is sick!

Do you mean you had to pay £1800 fir an extraction?! Im currently having rct and its costing over £1000 so yes it is very expensive. I cant believe the dentist asked if you are in financial difficulty how rude!

May I ask if you wouldn't mind PMing the dentist name please? Sounds a good option! Thank you