Cost of tooth extraction?

SnowyOwl_2

Interesting point Poppy9, it is after all a free market when you go to private dentists. I'm not sure how it would work by moving from one to the other for the best price on specific work to be done - they'd all charge for the initial consultation at the very least I'm sure and I suspect come up with different solutions to the same problem. There is also the continuity of care issue.

It's the trust between dentist and patient which I think is open to abuse and I think there are unscrupulous dentists out there who would take advantage of a patient's lack of expertise.

hrafndot

Just got back from my extraction, cruised through it, have spent the past two hours sucking cappucino through a straw, no I know I shouldnt have I will rinse my mouth out with salt water.

I was prescribed a tablet to relax me and I was so relaxed I wanted to cuddle the dentist. She said I mustn't get into the habit, I don't know what she meant!

I have awful teeth and I gulped to the dentist, "how long do you think I have til I need dentures". She said "NEVER". I don't care whether what she said was true or not, I'm ridiculously happy. BTW the extraction cost £20.

Good luck Snowy, hope this helps

SnowyOwl_2

Hey Rachel, I was thinking of you this afternoon...that's fab news that you sailed through it.:j All that anxiety is gone so you must be on a bit of a high now it's all over and done with. Brave you, as I know you were dreading it.

Thanks for letting me know so quickly about how it went...that is a comfort, I am not as nervous now about either the damage to my mouth or to my wallet.

Snowy Owl.

Jeryth

I'm in a similar position to Snowy Owl; I've had toothache on and off for the past two years; as I am on morphine-based drugs I don't notice it often. I'm about to find out whether or not I have to lose my left 8 (previous 7 broke and was extracted years ago), and as a skint non-worker, I worry about the cost. But I believe it's about £30 private (in Burnley), and it'd be worth losing the pain for good. But it's the beginning of the end; I had some extractions because of a small jaw, leaving me with 24 adult teeth, now I'm starting to lose them; I feel old.

Good luck, look after yourself.

Toothsmith

Poppy9 wrote:

In theory as most dentists are now private isn't it easier to get a second opinion? If you have denplan, which locally all the dentists insist on, can you move from practice to practice or are you tied into one?

Hello again Poppy!

You can get second opinions even if NHS, but it is likely that the most accurate opinion will come from a dentist who has been looking after you for ages and has got to know your mouth/habits/dental disease patterns.

When I see a patient for the first time, all I can base a treatment plan on is what has worked best before on similar mouths that I have seen. Of course, I always tell the patient exactly what I think the relative chances of success are though.

Denplan is just an agreement between you and your regular dentist, so the money you pay is not transferable to another dentist.

Also with second opinions there is the issue of radiation exposure. If you go to see several dentists and they all take X-rays, you'll look like a Ready Brek advert!! (Showing my age!)

The best way to find a dentist is through personal recommendation. Who do Friends/family/neighbours go to? Ring up the practice and speak to the receptionist. Is she friendly and welcoming or does she sound rushed off her feet and couldn't care less whether you come or not?

When is the soonest they can book you in? If it's months away that may not seem too bad if you've no problems, but what if you're in pain one day?

How quickly do they see regular patients with emergencies (I see all regular patients with problems within hours - but then my regular patients rarely have emergencies )

Can you go for a visit before making your first appointment? This may not immediately seem like an important thing, but if the fees are dear, where is the money going? Is the waiting area well presented? Are the surgeries clean and clinical? How old are the magazines? If it is a dear practice and it looks a mess then the money is not being invested in your care! If the fees are dear yet it looks clean comfortable and professional then it's at least having money spent on it!

Ask how the instruments are steralized, check that gloves are routinely changed between patients. Make a right nuisance of yourself. If they're doing everything right, they'd be pleased to tell you all about it.

The very worse way to find a dentist that is caring and professional is to ring up everywhere and say "How much is it to have a tooth pulled out"

I realise this doesn't really answer your question about what to expect and how much it will cost, but if you see your dentist for an assessment, which really should be done before anything, then s/he should be able to give you all that information before you committ to anything, and as Rachel found. The fear of the proceedure is in 99 cases out of 100 far worse than anything you'll actually experience in the chair.

Keep smiling!

Daft_Monkey

I got the impression from my dentist (private), that if I ever needed my wisdom teeth removed, I would have been refered to my local hospital. Where apparently the extraction will be done free of charge most probably at the maxilofacial unit. Can anyone colaborate this?
If it can be done, could you explore that posibility?

Toothsmith

Unless wisdom teeth extractions are very straightforward, most dentists would refer into hospital.

Even if you are a private dental patient, you would be refered back into the NHS hospital system.

Hospitals are busy enough though. If a normal extraction was needed, the dentist would not refer you into hospital. (He'd be laughed at!!!!)

Keep smiling!

AjayVerma316

daft money, ive replied to my barclays thread. Would be nice if you could help me out thanks!!!

Daft_Monkey

Toothsmith wrote:

Unless wisdom teeth extractions are very straightforward, most dentists would refer into hospital.

D'oh!!! You got me worried now! Where's me toothbrush?! :-)

Toothsmith wrote:

Hospitals are busy enough though. If a normal extraction was needed, the dentist would not refer you into hospital. (He'd be laughed at!!!!)

Maybe she doesn't like the violence involved (pliers and all)! :-)
I don't think they do extractions at that dental surgery, in general. But it could also be that when the need arises, mine will be a bit difficult to remove (as you suggested).

Toothsmith

What's difficult for a general dentist is a piece of cake for an Oral Surgeon. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be fine!