Dentist Dilema

**Grizzly** · 24th October 12, 01:40 PM

Today I had to visit the dentist as a filling had fallen out. Dentist duly informed me after an x-ray that the tooth would have to come out and the cost would be £48. (NHS standard charge)

However he recommended that I have a second opinion for which I would have to go private. How much would that be I enquired. He replied about £150 just for the consultation. What about if they could save the tooth, how much would that be I enquired hopefully. That will be about another £800 he told me with a straight face. So that would be just short of a £1000 to save a tooth against £48 to have it removed.

The only thing that went through my mind was if I saved the tooth I could not possibly afford to have my hand sewn tank that I have been promising myself. I knew within 3 seconds what my decision was. Bye bye tooth.

What would you have done?

**guardsman** · 24th October 12, 01:44 PM

fair trade I think, well sacrificed

**Downunder Kilt** · 24th October 12, 01:55 PM

Grizzly, I have had two teeth saved with root canal work, they lasted all of 3 years. I have several tanks that I have had for over a decade, none of which have any decay. I would have another two tanks if I had had the teeth taken out originally.

**Grizzly** · 24th October 12, 02:02 PM

Glad I made the right decision then.

He tried to take it out today but despite 12 injections I could still feel the pain so he had to give up. I thought at one stage he was going to hand me the whisky bottle like they did before anaesthetic. Now on antibiotics and going back to have another go on Friday.

**RogerWS76** · 24th October 12, 03:21 PM

BYOW on Friday

**tulloch** · 24th October 12, 04:48 PM

Well, NHS suffers from having to go to the lowest common denominator. It would be best for your long-term health to save the tooth. I have several teeth that I have taken good care of for years after root canal, crown and, in one forty-year-old case, a bridge. I would look for an alternative like a drive to Romania for some realistically priced dental work. Here in the New World my wife and I have contacts in Guatemala. When I met her I went there for seventeen days during which time I got five crowns and three fillings for about $800. With airfare it was about the cost of one crown done locally in Massachusetts. The crowns, six years later, are still sound. The bridge is a wonder - the dentist long deceased.

At any rate you probably won't miss the tooth and you will love the swish for years to come. Best to you!