€6,500 quote for dental work for our 3 year old

az2wp0sye65487

We were referred by our normal dentist to a specialist due to our daughter's young age and the fact that she may not cooperate for what's required.

She has quite bad decay in 2 front baby teeth, along with some back teeth. The recommended treatment seems to be to treat the decay and crown the teeth.

The initial consultation was €160 and now the recommended course of action is a procedure under general anaesthetic in a private hospital at a total cost of €6,500.

Unfortunately we just don't have that kind of money. Is this 'normal' - or would quotes vary depending on where we go?

uck51js9zml2yt

I'm not a dentist but crowning teeth that will fall out in a few years seems daft.

Del2005

Roland Ripe Sportswear wrote: »

I'm not a dentist but crowning teeth that will fall out in a few years seems daft.

If the only other option is for a child to go around toothless it's not that daft.

Not in Kansas

Definitely get a second opinion. Ask other parents for recommendations! Dental prices and opinions of action needed can vary hugely!

Dianthus

Curious to know the breakdown on cost?
You could have a consultation with another paediatric dentist. Anecdotally though, I hear only certain hospitals will put toddlers under general anaesthetic solely for dental treatment, & specialists have to battle hard to have dental health prioritised.
Your local dental HSE clinic may be able to refer for treatment on the public system. Waiting list could be considerable but worth enquiring.

Dianthus

Roland Ripe Sportswear wrote: »

I'm not a dentist but crowning teeth that will fall out in a few years seems daft.

"A few" years= at least 7 years, in the case of deciduous molars
It's not daft to value chewing/function, to consider orthodontic ramifications (space loss)
Not to mention speech& social interactions/confidence in a child's formative years.

az2wp0sye65487

Dianthus wrote: »

Curious to know the breakdown on cost?
You could have a consultation with another paediatric dentist. Anecdotally though, I hear only certain hospitals will put toddlers under general anaesthetic solely for dental treatment, & specialists have to battle hard to have dental health prioritised.
Your local dental HSE clinic may be able to refer for treatment on the public system. Waiting list could be considerable but worth enquiring.

"Hospital & anaesthetic fee" - €1,950
"Dental fee" - €4,350 - €4,500

Dianthus

Kaydence Purple Locksmith wrote: »

"Hospital & anaesthetic fee" - €1,950
"Dental fee" - €4,350 - €4,500

Are all/the majority of the 20 baby teeth being treated for decay/infection?

embraer170

My daughter was diagnosed with tooth decay on a few back teeth when she was 2. The first recommended course of action was general anaesthetic for fillings. A second dentist suggested proper brushing 3 times daily to try to stop the decay progressing with checkups every 4 months until she is older to cooperate.

Four years later the decay has not progressed at all. We continue the regular checkups, brush her teeth with an electric toothbrush morning and evening without exception (she does it herself at lunchtime).

The decay sounds like it is more advanced in your case but I would still consider options and talk to another dentist (or two).

NotThisMorning

My son had similar issues with his teeth because of reflux. We eventually found **recommendations by PM only/no names on main forum** who has been fantastic. My son had a couple of teeth capped. They’re kept to retain the space so the second teeth can descend properly. My son was 6 and couldn’t be knocked out with gas because he has adenoids... he had to have local anaesthetic and was so good my son didn’t even notice. I hope you get things sorted for your daughter soon.

Funmum05

2 of my children have had extensive dental work carried out. My daughter has had 6 crowns done under 2 general anesthetics. We decided on this route so that we could save the space in her mouth so as to reduce any orthodontic work in the future. Her total cost I think was around 7k. Our anesthetist, was 1200 euro for the 2 times she had to be put under and our health insurance covered 50% plus the day case in the hospital was fully covered by our health insurance.

You have to submit a case for it but the dentist should do that on your behalf. While expensive, it was the right way to go for us. Turned out my daughter has a small upper pallet and not enough space for all her adult teeth. The HSE said that as it was so bad she'd be covered for orthodontic work via them but they wouldn't look at her until she was 12. We again went private and they were able to widen her upper pallet (there's only a small window in which this is possible to do) and save all her adult teeth. Every body comments on how perfect her teeth are now. To us it was money well spent.

My other child had to have a 4 crowns plus 2 extractions. We again decided to go this route to save the space in his mouth. He's still young so we haven't had him to the orthodontist yet to see if he requires further work.

My childrens teeth decay is not down to bad eating habits but more an hereditary weakened tooth enamel and no fluoride in our water supply. Both of them suffered full decay within 4 months of their molars breaking through. Thankfully so far their adult teeth are perfect.

If you can afford it I would get the work done as it will save in the long run.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Roland Ripe Sportswear wrote: »

I'm not a dentist but crowning teeth that will fall out in a few years seems daft.

Now you ask enough questions on this forum to know at this stage not to make silly statements like that surely.

Stainless steel crowns and others are a common treatment for children with severe decay. The preservation of the teeth is very beneficial for the spacing of the adult teeth, the growth of the jaws and the function and aesthetics of the child.

The fees will depend on the ammount of work, the hospital fees and the specialists fees.

ashes2014

I have had quite a bit of orthodontic work done so I know dental fees can add up extremely quickly.

That said, I would definitely get a second opinion to see if the price is average for that kind of work and if it is necessary.

You may be able to claim 20% of it back in your tax next year-that might take a bit of the sting out of it.

az2wp0sye65487

Dav010 wrote: »

You would be happy for a dentist to pull multiple back teeth on your 3 year old? Entries for parent of the year are now closed, we have a winner.

I think you misinterpreted what was being said...

tayto lover

Go north.
Dental fees much cheaper in N. Ireland.

Toots

Have you health insurance? What private hospital were you referred to?

ohnonotgmail

Dav010 wrote: »

I’m pretty sure I didn’t. Tatranska posted on hat placing crowns on a 3 year olds teeth is daft if they are going to fall out. I suspect most parents would not think fixing and retaining their kids teeth is daft, some do apparently.

it wasn't tatranska that you replied to. you replied to somebody that was disagreeing with them.

ohnonotgmail

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

it wasn't tatranska that you replied to. you replied to somebody that was disagreeing with them.

Ahhh. Apologies Del, meant to click on tatranska’s post.