First Premolar Advice

Tucker.Tim

I understand this is a discussion forum and not a prescription clinic (etc.!), but as a long time reader of the forum I have a query for those forum member who are actively involved in the profession - my next appointment is just over a week away and I'd just like some information so I'm not starting a discussion with my dentist totally blind.

My first premolar on my lower left-hand side essentially chipped away to the point where it simply had to be removed, and two weeks ago it was removed. After my first appointment and the x-ray that involved I was told that as well as that tooth being as described, the opposite tooth on the lower right-hand side. This tooth shows signs of lack of structural integrity by way of a portion of the being very white compared to the surrounding tooth (seemingly not by coincidence this is the same part of the opposite tooth that broke off first). At that time the dentist offered the option to extract or to numb/severe (it's been a while!) the nerve and in some manner rebuild the tooth.

My questions would be what would be a rough outline as to what the second option would entail and what would the *rough* cost of that procedure in totality? I have a medical card so most of the basics of dental work are free but I'd be surely right in assuming I won't be getting much coverage on those sorts of procedures. Equally, how would that cost stack up when compared to the cost of some manner of tooth replacement if I opted for extraction?

Thanks for any and all help!

Tucker.Tim

Bump!

Tucker.Tim

Uhm, I have to push the issue - some one has got to have some sort of helpful information.

foret

V.hard to give any kind of definite advice without a proper exam.

A complete fix of this tooth would require root treatment followed by a crown which would be in total north of 1,200yo-yos.

Is this worth it ?? Can't say. However it may be that whatever left these premolars in this condition may have affected other teeth. Perhaps some investment may be needed down the line on other parts of your mouth.

Again really can't tell without proper exam, x-rays etc.

However if you were to push me to guess best option i would say extract.
No future pain or disease from the tooth, no cost on medical card and then spend your energy and money on remaining teeth.

davo10

Sorry Tucker Tim but i have to ask, why didn't you ask your dentist about the cost?. Having examined the tooth he/she is in a position to give you a quote, also you can ask about dentures/bridgework/implants to replace teeth. The info you get from your treating dentist is better than the guesswork provided on this forum.

Tucker.Tim

davo10 wrote: »

Sorry Tucker Tim but i have to ask, why didn't you ask your dentist about the cost?. Having examined the tooth he/she is in a position to give you a quote, also you can ask about dentures/bridgework/implants to replace teeth. The info you get from your treating dentist is better than the guesswork provided on this forum.

As I said, I am going to ask my dentist but I wanted an idea of that the procedure and the cost would be going into my next appointment! I don't think that's all that bizarre a request.

DaveTwenty7

Restoration options price depend on your status ie medical card patient (MC), PRSI or private. These are all rough estimates depending on the overall oral health
An acrylic denture MC=free, PRSI approx 300-600, private 400-750 {I would not really recommend this as a long term option}
A Cobalt chrome Denture PRSI approx 750-1000, private approx 900-1200
Bridge depends if 2 unit or 3 prsi approx 1700-2k or 2400 -3k private similar price
Implant approx 2500-3k each

Don't forget to get a med 2 form.

Tucker.Tim

Thank you!!

Tucker.Tim

To follow up on this, I've just completed my program of fillings/extractions (as in less than thirty minutes ago - this make turn out to be a drug-fueled diatribe!) and my dentist said the next time we'd cross paths would be a year from now for a check-up, but I have sigificant amounts of tartar on my teeth and I'd assumed that after this program was done the next natural step was a polishing/scaling appointment. Now I know I should have mentioned it to him. but with a tooth out and a cork in my mouth it was pretty hard to say anything that didn't involve hand gestures. It'll be a little embarassing ringing up afterwards now, but after all the work that's been done I'm sure I'll overcome that.

My main query this time relates to the time that would typically need to pass after an extraction before work like polishing/scaling could be safely done, so any help would be appreciated! Oh, and is there any practical reason why a dentist wouldn't mention polishing/scaling during a major dental program? I know it's available as there's a sign up in the waiting room advising us medical carders that we're only eligible for one polishing/scaling appointment a year!

Tucker.Tim

Bump.

Tucker.Tim

Oh c'mon.

Big_G

Most likely he/she forgot. Just ring up and book an appointment for a scale and polish.

flahavaj

Tucker.Tim wrote: »

To follow up on this, I've just completed my program of fillings/extractions (as in less than thirty minutes ago - this make turn out to be a drug-fueled diatribe!) and my dentist said the next time we'd cross paths would be a year from now for a check-up, but I have sigificant amounts of tartar on my teeth and I'd assumed that after this program was done the next natural step was a polishing/scaling appointment. Now I know I should have mentioned it to him. but with a tooth out and a cork in my mouth it was pretty hard to say anything that didn't involve hand gestures. It'll be a little embarassing ringing up afterwards now, but after all the work that's been done I'm sure I'll overcome that.

My main query this time relates to the time that would typically need to pass after an extraction before work like polishing/scaling could be safely done, so any help would be appreciated! Oh, and is there any practical reason why a dentist wouldn't mention polishing/scaling during a major dental program? I know it's available as there's a sign up in the waiting room advising us medical carders that we're only eligible for one polishing/scaling appointment a year!

Could you describe this cork please?

Also just ring the guy if you want your teeth cleaned, they're your teeth!

Tucker.Tim

flahavaj wrote: »

Could you describe this cork please?

Also just ring the guy if you want your teeth cleaned, they're your teeth!

A cork was just what I related it to! I was just some type of gauze to let the blood clot and soak up most of the blood coming out. White and not all together unlike a heavy duty cigarette butt. It did it's job!

Big_G

Sounds like a cotton wool roll.