Medical Card Root Canal

ursprunglich

Hey all,
I had a root canal done privately (by a root canal specialist) last year - it cost me a fortune, but it was painless (yes, painless!) and well done, ie, the crown above it remained intact.
Now, I need another root canal (on a different tooth), but am no longer in a position to pay €800 for it. Fortunately, I do have a medical card. I am however, fearful that the service I get from a regular dentist will not be:
a) good
b) pain free
b) I can suck up I guess. But a) might result in the crown being damaged and a new crown would not be covered by the medical card I believe (can anyone confirm this?).

My dilemma then being, maybe it's worth my while getting the money somehow for the private root canal specialist who might have a higher chance of not damaging the crown?

And then should it arise, could anyone recommend a good medical card taking, root canal doing dentist in Galway?????

A bit longwinded I know, but am at sixes and sevens on this issue.
Teeth, who'd have them.
My thanks to anyone who can advise.

Love2love

AFAIK, root canal is not covered by the medical card. They can pull the tooth but nothing else.

That was a couple of years back, could have changed since.

ursprunglich

It is covered. My dentist has confirmed that. Thanks though.

MoonDancer

ursprunglich wrote: »

It is covered. My dentist has confirmed that. Thanks though.

Thats great news!

georgieporgy

Medical card pays for root canal in front teeth only. They pay approx 230 euro i think. The dentist is not allowed to extra bill the patient. In our office (not in Galway) we do about 10 of these a year mainly for elderly patients as an act of charity.
Generally though we do not provide this service on the medical card because it doesn't cover the costs involved.
Good Luck!

dentalnurse

Medical card covers root canal for your first six teeth

dentalnurse

sorry it covers top and botton first six teeth

mary512

ursprunglich wrote: »

Hey all,
I had a root canal done privately (by a root canal specialist) last year - it cost me a fortune, but it was painless (yes, painless!) and well done, ie, the crown above it remained intact.
Now, I need another root canal (on a different tooth), but am no longer in a position to pay €800 for it. Fortunately, I do have a medical card. I am however, fearful that the service I get from a regular dentist will not be:
a) good
b) pain free
b) I can suck up I guess. But a) might result in the crown being damaged and a new crown would not be covered by the medical card I believe (can anyone confirm this?).

My dilemma then being, maybe it's worth my while getting the money somehow for the private root canal specialist who might have a higher chance of not damaging the crown?

And then should it arise, could anyone recommend a good medical card taking, root canal doing dentist in Galway?????

A bit longwinded I know, but am at sixes and sevens on this issue.
Teeth, who'd have them.
My thanks to anyone who can advise.

Hi there, I attend Devon Park Dental Practice in Salthill. They accept medical cards and are very good. There is a few dentists working there, all very friendly and professional. I don't have a med card unfortunately but they gave me a good discount which was gratefully appreciated - I can't recommend them enough!

toothfairy84

The GMS (Medical Card Scheme) covers root canal treatment for anterior teeth only. So basically for your incisors and canines. Upper 3 to 3, and lower 3 to 3. HOWEVER, the dentist has to send off a form to get approval for the root canal treatment, and this may be denied, particularly at the moment when money is tight. Make sure you have the approval for the Root Canal Treatment approved by the GMS before the dentist commences treatment, unless you are willing to pay for it privately if it is denied.

Gringo180

Sorry for digging an old thread up guys, but does the medical card still cover root canal in your front teeth as I fear I may need it as my front tooth chipped again (had it filled about 15 years ago). Thanks.

Mingetoad

Yes, toothfairy84's message still applies.

tinydancer75

hi im just wondering about this root canal business for front teeth. in all the yrs ive gone to a dentist surgery no one ever told me i could get root canal treatment for free on medical card. i lost a front tooth (its the one right next to big first front teeth) about 15yrs ago and dentist at the time replaced it with a full crown but never did root canal treatment..dont know why! but i have visited several dentists since to get this tooth or lack of tooth i should say fixed and a root canal done as im in constant pain from it but i have only ever been quoted at least E3500.

Oral Surgeon

tinydancer75 wrote: »

hi im just wondering about this root canal business for front teeth. in all the yrs ive gone to a dentist surgery no one ever told me i could get root canal treatment for free on medical card. i lost a front tooth (its the one right next to big first front teeth) about 15yrs ago and dentist at the time replaced it with a full crown but never did root canal treatment..dont know why! but i have visited several dentists since to get this tooth or lack of tooth i should say fixed and a root canal done as im in constant pain from it but i have only ever been quoted at least E3500.

I'm confused, if you lost the tooth then what was crowned then and needs to be root canal treated and crowned now??