Why Are Root Canals So Expensive?

ron schenker

I have a killer toothache thats not going away this time. Bit on something hard and I guess it pushed up a deep filling and irritated the nerve. This has happened before, but always got better after a few days. It's been 3 weeks now and the intense pain still comes and goes Time for a root canal. Being self employed for 3 years now, means I have to pay big$$ (no more company dental plan) and that hurts even more than the toothache Last root canal I had cost somewhere around a grand
I've heard that some universities use people like me (frugal) as guinea pigs at a greatly reduced cost. I was also thinking of asking my dentist to give me a "good deal" seeing as how I've been such a good customer for over 25 years. What do you guys without a dental plan do...bite the bullet?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Gordo

Get three estimates from 3 doctors.

Bring your own drill bits.

Ask if you can use the doctors discount to purchase pain killers.

Tell the doctors you will have a friend "help" them with demo and clean-up.

Make sure they are licensed and insured and members of the BBB.

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Looks like some pros were here.

ron schenker

Would this be a masonry, ceramic, or steel bit?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

DecksEtc

Depends on your current filling Ron.

ron schenker

Mercury

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

mahlere

Bring this post to your Dentist and tell him that you've been advised to do the above, since dentist's are known to be shady characters....


Oh, and tell him to bill you...after he is done. "didn't know it would be so much/don't have the cash on me/forgot my wallet/i'll send a check right out/etc..."

Gordo

Start with titanium to remove the mercury. Use your shop vac with the HEPA filter to remove contaminants.

Switch to ceramic bits when you hit tooth.

Caution: You must use high speed bits/drills-----compressor driven.

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Looks like some pros were here.

Gordo

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Looks like some pros were here.

DecksEtc

Why are root canals so expensive?

Well, my guess is that it must be all those expensive tools, office space, staff, office equipment, etc., etc. Why do these dentists need all that "extra" stuff that you don't see when you're in the chair? They don't really need those special x-ray machines and all the sterilizing equipment, now do they?

I was thinking that you should just go out and find yourself a dentist that works out of the back of his truck or maybe a van (to keep the rain out). You'll be able to find him as long as the magnets didn't fall of his vehicle. After all, a dentist like this isn't going to have "wasted" money on things like specialized tools or insurance, thereby keeping the costs to you down.

BTW, when he's working on the root canal, ask him if he doesn't mind doing a cleaning "while he's in there" AND don't forget to ask him when
he's done "what's the, you know, cash price" - wink, wink.

Mike Finley

I'm in the same boat Ron, my dentist has been bugging me about having two wisdom teeth removed for about 2 years.

747

Because the crown over the root canal isn't cheap. Don't feel bad i spent last year 28,000 dollars on a new hollywood smile. That hurt my savings a little. I went with what i consider to be the best cosmetic dentist in chicago. A women with impressive cosmetic training and also is nice to look at. Here she is. http://www.chicagosmilespa.com/pages/about.htm

Mike Finley

28K! Damn, did she put veneers on the fronts and backs of your teeth?

747

Yes all porcelain veneers on upper front and lower front. all porcelain crowns on lower and upper backs.

Debookkeeper

My dad travels 1/2 the year in his motor home across the US. He has met more and more people that go to Mexico for their dental work. I guess a 4k procedure here is like 1k there and everyone has said the work is excellent. So Ron - make a vacation out of it!

oldgoat

Just have them pull the tooth and get it over.

Mike Finley

Yikes!

I think in the official directory of "famous last words" such as General George Custer telling his pokers buddies "Count me in for the game next Saturday, I just have to go out of town for a few days", right next to that one would be, "Hey, I'm going to Mexico to see a doctor."

mdshunk

Yes, the Mexicans are world renowned for their excellent health care.
'You get what you pay for' applies to every other phase of life. I'm not sure why this would somehow be different.

ron schenker

Is this a funny thread... or what?

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Don't worry, the baseboard will hide it!

Leo G

I have all four of my wisdom teeth. I went to a new dentist and first thing he said was time to get those wisdom teeth out. So I ask him "Why"? He said that they need to come out. So again, I asked him "Why"? He told me that they should have been taken out years ago. And again I asked him "Why"? He said that in the future they could cause me some problems. Well, I'm 43 and they haven't cause any problem and he still insists on taking them out. I told him that I don't feel that I need to supply you a new set of golf clubs on your Hawaii vacation and to stop asking me when I was going to have these wisdom teeth removed, because I wasn't going to have the procedure done. He insisted and I have a new dentist and all 4 of my wisdom teeth.

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Debookkeeper

Yep - when they rinse your mouth with water, you have to make sure you spit it out extra well!