Advice re: implant/bridge consultation quote

Marli

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Dublin, so don't have any personal contacts to give me dentist recommendations - just chose a local dentist after looking online. I need some expensive dental work doing, but have hit a snag, so hoping someone on here will be able to advise me.

I had to have one of my top front teeth taken out (childhood accident, crown 20 years ago, root broken). Considering a bridge or implant to replace it, I chose a bridge as I have health problems that may affect an implant (long-term steroid treatment plus another immunosuppressant, and thin bones). However, the dentist in the end wasn't sure of the viability of the other front tooth for holding a bridge (though the second more extensive tests were more encouraging).

The dentist recommended a consultation with a restorative specialist to decide on the best option (bridge/implant) for 80 euros, which I agreed to. However, the restorative specialist then said I should have a joint appointment with them and an oral surgeon for 180 euros (and it's out of town, while I live in the centre of Dublin).

I don't know what to do, and the costs are adding up (already spent 80 euros on bridge consultation, plus several hundred for tooth removal, temporary denture, etc.). Surely it shouldn't cost so much simply for a consultation to see what option is best for me? Is an appointment with two people really necessary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oral Surgeon

Marli wrote: »

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Dublin, so don't have any personal contacts to give me dentist recommendations - just chose a local dentist after looking online. I need some expensive dental work doing, but have hit a snag, so hoping someone on here will be able to advise me.

I had to have one of my top front teeth taken out (childhood accident, crown 20 years ago, root broken). Considering a bridge or implant to replace it, I chose a bridge as I have health problems that may affect an implant (long-term steroid treatment plus another immunosuppressant, and thin bones). However, the dentist in the end wasn't sure of the viability of the other front tooth for holding a bridge (though the second more extensive tests were more encouraging).

The dentist recommended a consultation with a restorative specialist to decide on the best option (bridge/implant) for 80 euros, which I agreed to. However, the restorative specialist then said I should have a joint appointment with them and an oral surgeon for 180 euros (and it's out of town, while I live in the centre of Dublin).

I don't know what to do, and the costs are adding up (already spent 80 euros on bridge consultation, plus several hundred for tooth removal, temporary denture, etc.). Surely it shouldn't cost so much simply for a consultation to see what option is best for me? Is an appointment with two people really necessary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If its a tricky case then a joint consultation or a separate consultation with the surgeon actually placing the implant is appropriate and recommended...
Have you already paid €80 to the restorative guy and now it's another €180 for a joint consultation?? What is the fee for a consultation with the surgeon alone? Is the restorative guy charging you twice??

I don't charge for second consultations or extra for joint consultations but everyone is different.... This amount of money is likely small compared to the cost of the overall treatment... Are you confident in the reputation and results of the clinicians you are seeing? You can of course go to someone cheaper but are they as good??

Marli

Many thanks for your very quick reply, Oral Surgeon!

No, I haven't seen the restorative specialist yet - when my dentist sent them my info, they then suggested that I should see them and an oral surgeon for 180 euros, without ever seeing me. I don't know what the fee for the oral surgeon alone is, good point - I will Google the clinic and try to find out.

I'm happy with my original dentist's work so far, but am just going on their recommendation regarding the specialists.

Fair enough, I suppose it isn't a straightforward case, and I know the overall cost will be several thousand euros, but I just wanted to know if 180 euros is a reasonable/normal amount to pay in this case? I've already paid my usual dentist 80 euros for a bridge consultation.

As an oral surgeon yourself, would you be able to tell me how much you would charge for a consultation to see if a bridge/implant is most appropriate? (Or perhaps a PM if you can't post that here.)

Many thanks again for your help.

Oral Surgeon

€180 is about right for a joint consultation with 2 specialists if you have not already spent any money with these guys....
In my clinic, treatment is restoratively driven so the patient would see my prosthodontic colleague for an hour consultation at €150. If my input is needed and I am available for 15minutes at that time, I will come and have an additional look then for no extra fee. If the treatment options are more complex, my colleague will book the patient back for an additional joint consultation later for no additional charge...
So we charge €150 regardless.....

Marli wrote: »

Many thanks for your very quick reply, Oral Surgeon!

No, I haven't seen the restorative specialist yet - when my dentist sent them my info, they then suggested that I should see them and an oral surgeon for 180 euros, without ever seeing me. I don't know what the fee for the oral surgeon alone is, good point - I will Google the clinic and try to find out.

I'm happy with my original dentist's work so far, but am just going on their recommendation regarding the specialists.

Fair enough, I suppose it isn't a straightforward case, and I know the overall cost will be several thousand euros, but I just wanted to know if 180 euros is a reasonable/normal amount to pay in this case? I've already paid my usual dentist 80 euros for a bridge consultation.

As an oral surgeon yourself, would you be able to tell me how much you would charge for a consultation to see if a bridge/implant is most appropriate? (Or perhaps a PM if you can't post that here.)

Many thanks again for your help.

Marli

Many thanks for the information Oral Surgeon, it was very helpful! If that's the usual rate for a good quality clinic then I will go ahead with it.