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Author Topic: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?  (Read 10193 times)

Offline aaronk

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Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« on: January 18, 2011, 08:48:45 am »
I just had a specialist 'Endodontist' re-do a root canal I had done years ago, and while I was advised of the cost of $1600, I was under the impression that I was 'out the door' for that price. I just found out that for $1600 he only puts in a temporary filling and I have to go back to my normal dentist who referred me to this specialist for a traditional filling, likely another $400. Am I getting robbed here? Is there any way to find out what the average cost is for a specialist root canal in Canada? Anybody out there have this done before and been a little wide-eyed when the bill came?  :o  :-X

Thanks for any suggestions.
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Offline tortoise

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2011, 09:08:06 am »
Personally, when it comes to oral surgery I don't want the lowest bidder doing the work. 

I'd say that sounds about right.  A few years ago I destroyed a front tooth mountain biking and had to get an implant.  Total cost to me: ~$5000.  Implants weren't covered by my health insurance for whatever stupid reason.
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Offline Weels

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2011, 09:26:39 am »
Had a root canal and crown put on one tooth about 3 years ago.  Total cost was over $2,000.

My process was the same - root canal done, which was completely painless - no different really than having a (really big) filling done - a temporary filling was put in place and a week or two later back to have the permanent crown put on


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Offline safristi

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2011, 09:27:37 am »
....9 out of 10 dentists RECOMMEND THAT..... :shuffle:
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Offline aaronk

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2011, 11:31:35 am »
Quote from: tortoise on January 18, 2011, 09:08:06 am
Personally, when it comes to oral surgery I don't want the lowest bidder doing the work. 

I'd say that sounds about right.  A few years ago I destroyed a front tooth mountain biking and had to get an implant.  Total cost to me: ~$5000.  Implants weren't covered by my health insurance for whatever stupid reason.

I agree with you there - if it was a guy offering to do it for $250 I'd be a little worried - but I know in other areas of the service industry you can get hosed by going to the wrong place as some people assume you don't know any better, which I didn't. Sounds like most here are claiming about the same ballpark so I don't think I've been wronged, it just kinda sucks.

Related to your MTB story, I did a faceplant over a teeter-totter in Hardwood Hills just North of Barrie. I had a bloody messed up face for a while but luckily no teeth missing - I didn't feel fortunate at the time, but I suppose after your story I'm reflecting a little more positively.
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kevind

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2011, 04:24:38 pm »
I don't think I've ever NOT been a bit wide-eyed after receiving a dentist's bill...sadly it's just one of those things that you gotta suck up and pay.
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Offline tenpenny

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2011, 04:40:55 pm »
Had a root canal, temp filling, then final filling done by my regular dentist, who's very good, and a personal friend.  If I added it up, I'm thinking the total was between $1500 and $2000.

Sure am glad I have a dental plan.

Here's a word to all med students:  go into dentistry.  Avoid anything involving medicare.
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Offline davidy

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2011, 09:06:32 pm »
About twenty years ago, I had a root canal done by a UBC Dentistry student under supervision. The cost was under $200 if my memory serves me right. I was a poor student back then.

Dave
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2011, 11:30:24 pm »
Quote from: tenpenny on January 18, 2011, 04:40:55 pm
Had a root canal, temp filling, then final filling done by my regular dentist, who's very good, and a personal friend.  If I added it up, I'm thinking the total was between $1500 and $2000.

Sure am glad I have a dental plan.

Here's a word to all med students:  go into dentistry.  Avoid anything involving medicare.

i often think i should have gone to dental school.    but most docs i know or have met, are reportedly making 200gs avg, so i don't think it's that bad.  alberta seems to pay pretty well for docs.
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2011, 11:34:42 pm »
Quote from: aquadorhj on January 18, 2011, 11:30:24 pm
Quote from: tenpenny on January 18, 2011, 04:40:55 pm
Had a root canal, temp filling, then final filling done by my regular dentist, who's very good, and a personal friend.  If I added it up, I'm thinking the total was between $1500 and $2000.

Sure am glad I have a dental plan.

Here's a word to all med students:  go into dentistry.  Avoid anything involving medicare.

i often think i should have gone to dental school.    but most docs i know or have met, are reportedly making 200gs avg, so i don't think it's that bad.  alberta seems to pay pretty well for docs.

But there's a cap, isn't there??
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2011, 11:48:17 pm »
i think there's some sort of cap for general practitioners.  none that i know of for specialists.

the gov. pays per procedures/treatment, so docs prefer easy to treat patients that make money. 
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Offline dkaz

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2011, 01:59:09 am »
Wait I got a root canal done a couple of months ago but never had to go back for a permanent anything???
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Offline rrocket

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Re: Dentist bill for $1600, is that normal?
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2011, 02:52:42 am »
Quote from: DKaz on January 19, 2011, 01:59:09 am
Wait I got a root canal done a couple of months ago but never had to go back for a permanent anything???

It's possible they capped it then and there...
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