dentists
Nov 30th 2010, 7:35 am
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Island Bay, Wellington
Posts: 211
Re: dentists
How did you guess 
Dec 1st 2010, 8:18 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 280
Re: dentists
Just in the past 4 weeks or so I had Root Canal work done on one of my upper right molars.
Quoted circa $700 at the outset.
A total of 4 separate sessions later (apparently my root canals weren't straight like normal peoples, but were bent, which meant the fancy tool they had for clearing out the canal wouldn't work so they had to resort to manual files, bent to shape and almost having one knee on my chest to hold me down whilst they filed away) and I've been stung for a little over $1,000
Quoted circa $700 at the outset.
A total of 4 separate sessions later (apparently my root canals weren't straight like normal peoples, but were bent, which meant the fancy tool they had for clearing out the canal wouldn't work so they had to resort to manual files, bent to shape and almost having one knee on my chest to hold me down whilst they filed away) and I've been stung for a little over $1,000
Dec 1st 2010, 8:46 am
#18
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,010
Re: dentists
Even the thought of the dentist is giving me misery at the moment. Well, my wallet misery.
I have a crown, well virtually all crown and no tooth no, that I had fixed up before leaving UK 3 years ago. Its come out and been refixed twice here, each time weakening the ability to adhere next time.
It's loose again and has come to the 'crunch' (sorry). I went to the dentist today and got a quote of $5400 to have an implant. I knew this was coming but really gutted. Can't really let it just fall out and leave it as I do training in my job and don't want to go round looking like a pirate. Thinking of all the things I could do with the money instead of a little piece of porcelain in me gob....
Off to the bank to extend my credit card this week
By way of comparison, similar treatment back home would cost around $3000-$3500. Though this treatment often has to be done over a period of months while the post takes to the jaw, which means I can't really nick over to the UK to get it done, or elsewhere with cheaper dental care for that matter.
Honestly any thoughts of pain or discomfort of the treatment are eclipsed by the thought of shelling out this money! Still, if it is done well it should last till I'm a pensioner, by which stage I won't give a sh!t
The disparity between the state of nashers of the rich and poor is pretty striking here I think, don't you agree? Lots of Gummy Bears in New Zealand
Lollies anyone??
I have a crown, well virtually all crown and no tooth no, that I had fixed up before leaving UK 3 years ago. Its come out and been refixed twice here, each time weakening the ability to adhere next time.
It's loose again and has come to the 'crunch' (sorry). I went to the dentist today and got a quote of $5400 to have an implant. I knew this was coming but really gutted. Can't really let it just fall out and leave it as I do training in my job and don't want to go round looking like a pirate. Thinking of all the things I could do with the money instead of a little piece of porcelain in me gob....
Off to the bank to extend my credit card this week
By way of comparison, similar treatment back home would cost around $3000-$3500. Though this treatment often has to be done over a period of months while the post takes to the jaw, which means I can't really nick over to the UK to get it done, or elsewhere with cheaper dental care for that matter.
Honestly any thoughts of pain or discomfort of the treatment are eclipsed by the thought of shelling out this money! Still, if it is done well it should last till I'm a pensioner, by which stage I won't give a sh!t
The disparity between the state of nashers of the rich and poor is pretty striking here I think, don't you agree? Lots of Gummy Bears in New Zealand
Lollies anyone??
Dec 2nd 2010, 1:43 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Mt. Maunganui. Tauranga. NZ
Posts: 108
Re: dentists
If you are in Tauranga Elizabeth Street dentist is fab and cheap check them out.
Dec 2nd 2010, 4:27 am
#20
Sleazy Dippin Doodle
Joined: May 2007
Location: wellington
Posts: 1,363
Re: dentists
Wellington 'high-end' fillings can be $200-300 - dentists should not be chosen for cheapness though!
A more expensive properly done one will last longer...each time you treat a tooth, you make it more likely you will tip the nerve over the edge...which then means root canal or extraction, so cheap fillings can definitely be false economy long-term.
Agree $500 is a lot unless it's massive and will take an hour to do.
A more expensive properly done one will last longer...each time you treat a tooth, you make it more likely you will tip the nerve over the edge...which then means root canal or extraction, so cheap fillings can definitely be false economy long-term.
Agree $500 is a lot unless it's massive and will take an hour to do.
Dec 4th 2010, 1:23 am
#23
A land far far away
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Northland
Posts: 1,288
Re: dentists
I reckon you were a dentist in a former life! 
Expatkiwi -unfortunately a bridge isn't a permanent solution. One won't last a lifetime. An implant, however, should. And may be the most expensive, but if it can possibly be afforded it will be the best. A good dentist should be able to give you options, though. There are always options. Also something of importance you could go to several dentists and maybe get a different solution from each of them ( just to confuse things!)
Expatkiwi -unfortunately a bridge isn't a permanent solution. One won't last a lifetime. An implant, however, should. And may be the most expensive, but if it can possibly be afforded it will be the best. A good dentist should be able to give you options, though. There are always options. Also something of importance you could go to several dentists and maybe get a different solution from each of them ( just to confuse things!)
Dec 4th 2010, 10:00 am
#24
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,010
Re: dentists
Can you explain why an implant is twice as expensive as a bridge?
Dec 5th 2010, 4:35 am
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,285
Re: dentists
Doubt it..it's all a result of having had problems with dental care as an expat (not in NZ) and having too much time to research on the internet. I do now know more than a layperson should, 'tis true 
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Last edited by luvwelly; Dec 5th 2010 at 4:43 am.
Dec 5th 2010, 9:46 am
#26
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Was Alicetown NZ, now Whitstable UK
Posts: 211
Re: dentists
That's exactly what I am gonna do now. My son's mate's Dad is a dentist, dunno why I didn't talk to him first. There is something called a 'Maryland Bridge', of the adjoining teeth. I was worried previously about working on otherwise fine teeth, but it sounds like the amount that is shaved off the back is minimal. It's gonna come in under $2k rather than $5.5, which is a lot more palatable. The long term (10 yrs or so) success rates are still high, only marginally smaller than an implant.
To try and answer your question about costs, I think the implant is dearer, primarily because of the combined costs of the dentist's work and the surgeon who attaches the implant into the jaw. It can also prevent the jaw shrinking in the gap where the tooth/root was. If I had the money I would go for this option, but I don't so will go for the bridge.
Last edited by turkeys; Dec 5th 2010 at 10:00 am. Reason: more tooth info!
Dec 6th 2010, 7:17 am
#27
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,010
Re: dentists
Thanks Turkey's I've wondered for ages why it costs so much. It really does sound like major surgery having such a large hole drilled in ones jaw.
I'd not heard of this Maryland bridge either, sounds very interesting and definitely a lot less painful, both on the wallet and the jaw!
I may talk to my dentist about this and see if it's covered on the health fund.
Let us know how you get on! good luck
I'd not heard of this Maryland bridge either, sounds very interesting and definitely a lot less painful, both on the wallet and the jaw!
I may talk to my dentist about this and see if it's covered on the health fund.
Let us know how you get on! good luck
