Advice for Wisdom Tooth Issue

Capricorn09

Hi all,

If anyone could offer some advice on my wisdom tooth problem I would be very grateful as I'm in a bit of a mess at the moment trying to decide what I need to do.

I've been having problems with one of my wisdom teeth lately and the dentist advised me yesterday that I need to get it removed. The dentist explained to me that it would involve cutting the gum and removing part of the jaw bone in order to get this tooth out - the thought of it fills me with dread but I assume this is the normal process.

However I don't have VHI and they said it would cost about 1000 euro to pay for this privately. Otherwise they could refer me to the dental clinic and I could get it done publicy but would be waiting about a year. Also I would be sedated for this process rather than getting a general anaesthetic.

So my two questions really are has anyone been sedated for wisdom tooth removal before and what was it like? My main issue is should I really just join the VHI and wait until I can claim for it through the VHI or is it better just to get it done publicly? If anyone has been in a similar situation and can offer advice it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Saadyst

I think you have to be with VHI for a year before you can start claiming on dental surgeries...

Crazyivan 1979

I had this done in '95, exact same thing, sliced gum, drilling on jaw bone. It was first wisdom tooth to come out (but not the last). It had become impacted, which means it was growing at an angle under the other teeth.

I had it done privatley (just local dentist), I was only 16 at the time so my parents paid for it, so I have no idea how much it cost. But if you have paid psri for 5 years, you should be able to claim off the government, 40% I think.

I just had local anaethestic, nothing else was offered.

I had 2 other wisdom teeth out at the same time 2 years, not the same procedure, just levered it out, local anaethestic again. It was 300 euro and I am claiming it back at the moment. I ll give you the name of the clinic if you want (dublin) they were very good, no pain.

If it's giving you serious pain a year is a long time to wait. But If you join VHI now they might not cover you for a pre-exsisting condition or they'll hike your premium up, I may be wrong though. best to call and ask.

Capricorn09

To be honest I wouldn't mind if I had to pay into VHI for a year and then get it done because it would be the same length of time as waiting to get it done publicly. The problem so far for me has just been recurring infections in the gum - I had the last one about six months ago and now again this week. So I think it's not yet a matter of urgency that the tooth has to come out right now. The issue really for me is how to go about it - for example do you have to be in the dental plan in VHI or do one of the hospital plans cover it? It's all so confusing

Crazyivan 1979

But if waited a year for the public, you wouldn't have to pay anything would you?

But you're right it is confusing.

The problem with my wisdom teeth was, that they would be alright (no pain), a few infections, antibiotics cleared it up, then all of a sudden blinding pain that won't go away. You'd be best off getting it sorted quickly, so you don't have to go through the pain I went through or have the risk of any infection spreading to any other teeth.

One good thing about the VHI is that they have VHI clinics dotted around the place. When I have been in serious pain, just turn up, you'll get seen in 20 mins, and they'll do the extraction for there, I paid 70 euro for my last extraction there (there's one in dundrum, above the luas). Although yours is a little more complicated.

I was not in a dental plan, and got covered.

Capricorn09

That is true

Luckily enough I have no problems with my other wisdom teeth so things could be worse! I think the best thing is to give VHI a call and just ask about the different plans and all of the details. Probably about time I got myself some health insurance anyway!

Crazyivan 1979

You might be better off going through a broker like cornmarket, VHI are likely to only offer you the best deal for them not you. Such as I am thinking of going for a VHI 'nurses and teachers' plan even though I am neither, they didn't offer it to me but found out it suits me best. There are other insurance companies as well such as Aviva and Quinn, you might get a discount if you have either home or car ins with them.

Capricorn09

Thanks for the advice, I was looking at their website and it's hard to know which plan would be the most suitable. I will have a shop around and consider the options.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Seeing as this is a preexisting condition, VHI will not cover it (you cannot insure yourself against thing you already know about). Also a surgical extraction of a wisdom tooth will cost approx 350 euro done privatly under LA. PM me if you would like a recomendation for an oral surgeon.