nasty surprise

briano.de.rhino

Hi,

went to dentist with wisdom tooth pain, they did x-ray scan and they said would need to be taken out. While there they noticed a hole in a filling and said would need to remove it and give another filling. Quoted 220 on paper for filling and tooth removal.

So went back few days later and got wisdom tooth out and dentist removes filling on the other tooth and sees root damage, says I will have to go back 2 more times and get root cleaned etc before he can replace filling otherwise there could be infections in future etc.

I was shaking after tooth was taken out so i didnt make an appointment, was a bit out of it. I phoned up today to ask if they were going to charge more for the further appointments. They said €800.

We had to borrow the 220 off Mum in law as it is, how can we pay another 800?

My question is - could the dentist know from the x-ray wether there was root damage and is playing us for money. Or you reckon it is legitimate and just something that cropped up in the course of the procedure?

If I had of known before I would have left it as was not in pain any more and cant afford it anyway. Would wait to go some counttry cheaper to get it done.

PS have a medical card now - can I get anything done on that?

Much appreciated....

foret

With a medical card you can get...

an exam,
extractions,
upto 2 fillings if required.

So perhaps you can get this tooth extracted or at least some temporary filling to buy you time.

Can't tell you much re what the x-ray showed. It is only one part of the puzzle. Root canal work is very finicky precise treatment. When done well it can preserve a tooth for a lifetime, badly you will be back with problems.

You are entitled to free emergency treatment with a medical card.

briano.de.rhino

Thanks, Foret,

I phoned a local dentist yesterday who said there is no medical card treatments available anymore! Im so confused. tHe lady in reception at the HSE seemed to think we could avail of any dentist who accepts med card.

digzy

if you cant afford a root canal get it out for free with your med card. There's plenty of dentists who'll oblige.