Tooth extraction

Supernova

Toothsmith wrote: »

This does seem very expensive. It's a lot more than I charge! But have we got the full story?

Are you a regular patient with that dentist and have you been recently for a routine examination?

If you're not a regular patient, just one who turns up when you out have a problem, then the dentist would need to do quite a detailed examination, and possibly x-rays, to document everything that might be going on in your mouth before focusing in on actually taking out the broken tooth.

This would obviously be a bigger job, and more than just taking out one tooth.

But yes, if that were done on the NHS it would be a band 2 charge of about £44

Thanks all!

Yes I have been a regular patient. It's the tooth next to the wisdom tooth top left. The root is also exposed through gum erosion. The dentist said it needed a surgical extraction hence £400. She also said the temporary filling would fall out within two weeks.

I have seen two NHS dentists, neither of whom thought that the tooth needed to come out, and that it has a chip rather than a crack. One wanted to do a partial filling on the side to lock in with the existing one, the other preferred to leave it, but took X-Rays to discuss next time - she had had an emergency that morning unfortunately so was in a hurry.

Cheers

Supernova

brook2jack wrote: »

Without seeing the tooth it is also possible that it has broken in such a way that it may need a surgical extraction. If that is the case then you may need to be referred on for treatment , which , as others have indicated , may well necessitate a wait.

£400 is more than anyone I know charges for a simple extraction. However a thorough exam, x rays , emergency treatment and a surgical extraction etc and you might be getting there.

So if it were a surgical extraction is that more expensive than a simple one, beyond Band B charges?

Many Thanks

Sncjw

hi is this dentist an nhs dentist and are you an nhs patient. i would see a nhs dentist if he is trying to get this money out of you. i got a lower back tooth extracted and was fine i had to get another done at a dental hospital as a surgical extraction as i couldnt get numb on that side. i got it done for free i had a certificate but i think its because its at a dental hospital too.

thats crazy charging you £400. i think dentists arent allowed to make you try and pay for something that could be done on nhs. saying that my old dentist wanted me to pay thousands to get a tooth sorted out or he could just extract. i left that practice as they werent nice.

so i deffo see another dentist for second opnion and you dont even need to tell your current dentist you have moved.

Supernova

Thanks Sncjw. Yes I'm on as NHS with the new one. I would have to cancel Denplan with the old one.

brook2jack

A surgical extraction on the nhs is more likely to be referred than the dentist attempting it themselves. It would be a band two charge if the dentist did it themselves.

If your area has a minor oral surgery referral service then , yes this would be a band two charge. If there is no practice based oral surgery unit then you may well be referred to hospital in which case there is no charge. Both these options may well involve a long wait.

Supernova

brook2jack wrote: »

A surgical extraction on the nhs is more likely to be referred than the dentist attempting it themselves. It would be a band two charge if the dentist did it themselves.

If your area has a minor oral surgery referral service then , yes this would be a band two charge. If there is no practice based oral surgery unit then you may well be referred to hospital in which case there is no charge. Both these options may well involve a long wait.

The NHS dentist can do simple extractions but refer to hospital for surgical ones with a 6-month waiting list or privately for £200.

Not sure whether an NHS 'clean-up' as part of a check-up is equivalent to a hygienist session? Otherwise the NHS dentist private charge is £40. Is 2 checkups/clean-ups a year the recommended dose?

Trying to weigh up costs. Paying £19 pm Denplan to pay for 2 checkups and 2 hygienists per year at the C London private dentist at the moment. All other charges are exorbitant ;-)

justme111

Frequency of "scales " required or desireable is very individual , impossible to say without seeing you. No "scaling" with dentist is not the same as with higienist .
Do not try to look for a dentist on a basis of cost , find one that you trust, preferably private , preferably one without posh bells and whistles if money is an issue.

Supernova

justme111 wrote: »

Frequency of "scales " required or desireable is very individual , impossible to say without seeing you. No "scaling" with dentist is not the same as with higienist .
Do not try to look for a dentist on a basis of cost , find one that you trust, preferably private , preferably one without posh bells and whistles if money is an issue.

Thanks. Yes, trying to find one that I trust and with a good reputation that won't cost the earth. I trusted my current dentist but an extraction at £400 that two other dentists think is unnecessary seems a little odd.

I didn't like the first NHS dentists but did the second so I think I'm willing to try the latter.

They do a mix of NHS and private if that's OK?

justme111

Supernova wrote: »

Thanks. Yes, trying to find one that I trust and with a good reputation that won't cost the earth. I trusted my current dentist but an extraction at £400 that two other dentists think is unnecessary seems a little odd.

I didn't like the first NHS dentists but did the second so I think I'm willing to try the latter.

They do a mix of NHS and private if that's OK?

That's not ideal but rare thing in this life is ...
I know , finding a dentist is a pain similar to finding a car mechanic for me , just worse as it involves health and pain.

Supernova

Just to follow up...I went back to the second NHS dentist for a clean up and two side fillings.

She clocked that the tooth had split and promptly took it out - 10 mins work and all good so far.

Total cost £50-50 including the check-up last month, the extraction AND the deferred fillings/clean-up in July.

I have cancelled the old dentists £20 pm Denplan payments as of July but will still have a final hygienists appointment covered for free at the end of June and no £400 charge for extraction.

Result, I think :-)