chartreuse

So, I've got a lousy toothache, had it since Friday. I've been putting up with it because SWMBO got extra hours at work, which makes us eligible for a group health plan, including $1500 a year of dentistry each.

Thing is, the paperwork said coverage would start December 1st. But we found out today that it won't start til her next paycheck - a couple more weeks.

So, it looks like I'm going to have to shell out some dosh. Anybody got any info about the going rates, or advice on getting it cheap?

clarissageo

I work at a pediatric dentist, I'm not sure if rates are different in General Dentists, and I'm sure it will depend on the going rate in your area, but here's a rough guide for what we charge :

Emergency exam - $70
Two surface Filling - $160
Nitrous Oxide (anaesthesia) - $30
Bitewing Xray - $30

It depends on where the cavity is as to what surfaces will need filling. For example if the cavity is on the back or front of one of the teeth that touches another tooth, they will need to also drill into the top, which will make it automatically a 2 surface filling. It would be only if it is the top or one of the sides by your cheek or tongue where they *might* be able to isolate it to a one surface.

If it is raging toothache though, it may be deeper than just a standard filling and you could be looking at a root canal and then a crown, and thats where it starts to add up.

If your insurance is not due to kick in for another couple of weeks, I would try find a dentist that is in-network for that plan, go for the emergency appointment and see what the work is that needs to be done. If you have an absess they won't work on it until its cleared up anyway, so you could be on antibiotics for 7-10 days, and then go back once your insurance is there. Just make sure you check to see if there is a waiting period because I've seen alot of people of the last couple of months getting stung with that - they assume its effective immediately and then when we check it there is a restorative waiting period of anything up to 6 months.

Just one other thing - whereabouts is the pain? I had been getting recurring pain on my upper left, and assumed because I could feel a little hole that I was getting an absess, my boss did a quick check and xrays and it turned out it was my sinuses..... Just a thought

Hope that helps some ....

*btw -I'm not a dentist - I work on the front desk dealling with the insurance etc and i'm starting my dental assistant training in January, but you should go see one sooner rather than later...... *

chartreuse

Thanks for the info. The thing of getting the emergency stuff done now and the pricier stuff when the plan kicks in is a good one!

The pain started at a premolar next to an extraction site, where there's a receding gumline and I assumed it was exposed dentine. But today it spread to underneath the molar on the other side of the extraction. So I'm not sure if that's something different or just referred pain along the same chunk of nerves.

I figure it's a couple of xrays and an exam just to find out...

Sally Redux

I have noticed a few dentists around here offering free exams and X Rays, maybe check out in your area and you could at least find out what the problem is that way.

Ray

its gonna be $1500 whatever it is ....suck it up

Bob

Down my way, discounted rate of insurance or first time customer -

$100 check up
$150 for basic digital x-ray
$100-500 for filling depending on where and type
$150 for cleaning
Free jar of vaseline for anything else.

One thing that might be worth doing if you live in a city be going to a dental school if it is still term time, usually can't book in advance and it's a case of waiting it out, but usually just paying cost of materials, so pretty much free and you have an experienced instructor person watching over you and student would be pretty close to finishing studies before being let loose, well this was up in Portland ME, been told similar down in my neck of the woods.

Poppy girl

Go to a walk in Clinic tell them you have no insurance and pay the fee normally about $35, you might need to call around to find a walk-in.

Duncan Roberts

Ask the dentist if they can hold the claim and date it after your insurance kicks in.

AmerLisa

Definitely call around, some dentists will work with you..... I'm sure it won't be free, but if you tell them you're planning on coming back when your insurance kicks in, they may help you out a bit more.

Also, you may need an antibiotic if something is infected....so its pretty important you go soonish.

chartreuse

Thanks everybody - some good advice and info there.

Amazingly, it's not so bad this morning. I'm hoping that this is because I've been making a determined effort not to suck air over the forward tooth (which provided some temporary relief but, I think, chilled the nerve, causing the referred pain in the rear tooth).

I'll call around to find an in-network dentist and see what my options are, but will try to hold off going in until our coverage starts - unless it flares up again.

Poppy girl

Theres always the last resort

Or a piece of string tied to the door knob, attached at the other end to the toothie then WHAM!!..problem eliminated

chartreuse

Nah, as any fule kno, the proper way is to tie one end of the string to Ollie's tooth and the other to the bumper of car, which Stanley attempts to drive away but accidentally puts in reverse. Hilarity ensues...

BritishGuy36

I was going to suggest string and a football.......same result.

And much cheepness.

Jerseygirl

For what it costs for a filling I'd just go and get it sorted out....I can't stand pain. If it requires more costly work maybe you can sort something out with the dentist regarding the insurance claim.

penguinbar

I agree with Bob about going to a dental school if there is one nearby. I go to NYU dental in NYC. The students have to be in at least their third year of school and are supervised by the dentists who teach there. I got both a cleaning and a full set of bitewing xrays just a few weeks ago for $85.00. I had a filling done for $75.00. It was a 3 surface filling. I ahd a crown and rootcanal for $900. You can go in for an emergency for $90. I am assigned to a student and that is my student for their duration of their schooling. I have been using them for 7 years. I can book in advance as well. Since this is in NYC it is probably cheaper in your neck of the woods. You want to get it taken care of in case it's an infection as well. Good luck.