Teeth are in bits. Literally.

allandanyways

Hi guys,

Please excuse the length of this post in advance.

I've never had great teeth - always very soft teeth that get cavities easily. I'm a dentist's nightmare - drink sugary drinks, smoker, chocolate fiend etc. I haven't been to a dentist in about 3 years and I've lived pretty hard in those 3 years - lots of bold teeth things that I should have known better than to be doing (tongue pierced, partying hard etc).

Anyway, long story short I have 3 main issues:

• 2 broken teeth; 1 upper LHS - only outside shell of tooth remains. Pretty sure the root came out with this one after I got a box in the face off a door. 1 lower RHS which has a filling in it, cracked a few months ago and the outer layer of tooth cracked away today when I was eating lunch and it's now just the filling exposed on the inside side of my mouth
• Lower RHS wisdom molar has come through 2/3 of the way and has a major cavity in the back of the tooth. This causes me a lot of pain.
• Teeth in general are not in great shape.

Now, my issue is that I am dirt poor. I'm paying off a hefty loan and earn f-all in work and since I moved to Dublin, I haven't been to a dentist so don't know of any decently priced ones.

I also suffer chronically from dental phobia. My last exam ended abruptly when I had a panic attack and puked all over the poor dentist when she put the tools not even in my mouth, but near my mouth.

I'm pretty worried about the tooth that cracked this morning and would like to get it looked at but even places like Smiles are looking for €100 for a consultation with the Nervous Patient specialist in Dundrum.

I don't think I could handle a dentist without severe amounts of valium or being knocked out. Is this something that dentists in Ireland can do?

I literally have 150€ until the 26th of the month so "Just go to a dentist" is not the advice I am seeking.

Are there (not asking for names on thread, PM if you know!) dentists in Dublin that will take deposits and let you pay off the work? Preferably if same dentist can give me gas or knock me out!

Any advice would be appreciated.

juice1304

I was in a similar predicament not too long ago, I don't thing getting knocked out is an option as the cost would be enormous as you then need anesthetist afaik. I was also very nervous but just bit the bullet so to speak and went to a dentist on the recommendation of a friend. It was tough in the beginning but i soon relaxed after being there a few times. I actually enjoy going now. I think it is all about finding the right dentist for you.

Special care dentist

Hey,
sorry to hear of your problem. It is a bit difficult for you for a number of reasons. Firstly, getting a few dental problems sorted costs money, which I can't really give you any help on, but I know that many dentists will prescribe valium, if appropriately trained and experienced, though they would likely need to see you first to ensure your suitability. Ring a few dental surgeries and ask to talk to the dentist first to discuss your problems or email around. The right dentist for you will talk to you first, if they don't then you saved yourself time and money. Good luck

sparts

I have had quite a lot of work done on my teeth in the past, so know where your at, you could go up north, a huge difference in price or if you have a medical card some work can be done on that. If not most dentist surgeries will agree to a payment plan. Not much more you can do really. Good luck in finding what you need

Stheno

sparts wrote: »

I have had quite a lot of work done on my teeth in the past, so know where your at, you could go up north, a huge difference in price or if you have a medical card some work can be done on that. If not most dentist surgeries will agree to a payment plan. Not much more you can do really. Good luck in finding what you need

I have never come across a dentist who will agree to a payment plan, why would they do work hoping you will eventually pay it off?

I know Smiles dentists (theres a few of them around dublin) offer payment plans.

sparts

A lot of surgeries do especially if you need a lot of work that would merit quite a few visits. Idea being that the whole amount would be paid on the last visit. Makes sense really.

Stheno

sparts wrote: »

A lot of surgeries do especially if you need a lot of work that would merit quite a few visits. Idea being that the whole amount would be paid on the last visit. Makes sense really.

That does make sense if it's all paid off on the last visit, still a risk for the practice

davo10

sparts wrote: »

A lot of surgeries do especially if you need a lot of work that would merit quite a few visits. Idea being that the whole amount would be paid on the last visit. Makes sense really.

Yes but it's "fee per item", you pay as you go along, not have treatment first, pay later. Unfortunately, eaten bread is soon forgotten. As a dentist I do not know of any clinic that will provide an extensive course of treatment and allow payment in the last visit, all require that outstanding amounts are paid on or before the last visit.

Don't forget OP that you will need to take the day off work each time you receive a sedative and if you travel, someone will have to drive you.

Stheno

davo10 wrote: »

Yes but it's "fee per item", you pay as you go along, not have treatment first, pay later. Unfortunately, eaten bread is soon forgotten. As a dentist I do not know of any clinic that will provide an extensive course of treatment and allow payment in the last visit, all require that outstanding amounts are paid on or before the last visit.

Don't forget OP that you will need to take the day off work each time you receive a sedative and if you travel, someone will have to drive you.

And the cost goes up significantly, I once enquired about iv sedation and it was a min. €180 per visit on top of treatment

I've ended up with a lovely dentist on recommendations in Dublin, and literally doze through whatever he is doing

Wickers26

I think there's a dentist that offers sedation in the shopping centre in phibsboro. There's a great dentist also on the north circular road called dr Vaughan. I used to be absolutely terrified getting my teeth seen to but luckily I came across him and now it's not half as bad. I still get a bit scared but he's so nice and gentle and he's also pretty reasonable, think a root canal is e250.. You should check and see if you're entitled to a medical card or what about your PRSI?

Stheno

Wickers26 wrote: »

I think there's a dentist that offers sedation in the shopping centre in phibsboro. There's a great dentist also on the north circular road called dr Vaughan. I used to be absolutely terrified getting my teeth seen to but luckily I came across him and now it's not half as bad. I still get a bit scared but he's so nice and gentle and he's also pretty reasonable, think a root canal is e250.. You should check and see if you're entitled to a medical card or what about your PRSI?

e250 for a root canal is horrifically cheap tbh, I paid 6-900 for both of mine depending on the tooth

You get no benefits apart from a check up once a year from PRSI

Wickers26

He's really good now, did 3 fillings for me last year in one sitting and I'm a very nervous patient.. Can't remember how much it cost altogether, think it was e70 or e80 per filling. I'm in the same boat and getting an extraction next week on lower right molar because I can't afford the root canal and crown. Nothing worse than having weak teeth, and a sugar addiction.