Am I being ripped off by my dentist?

[Lexie]

I recently had a filling come out of a tooth that had been placed about 5 years ago after a root canal. My dentist replaced the old filling with a resin composite one - like bonding - that cost me $275 for that one tooth. Now he's saying a crown on the tooth is absolutely necessary in order to prevent losing it. My question is why would he use such an expensive procedure as bonding if he knows he's going to go back and grind the tooth down to place the crown? Just seems unnecessary to me. I simply cannot afford the crown right now and am hoping the tooth will last until I can save enough $$$. Anybody have any insight on this situation? Thanks!

[moonglow]

I recently had a filling come out of a tooth that had been placed about 5 years ago after a root canal. My dentist replaced the old filling with a resin composite one - like bonding - that cost me $275 for that one tooth. Now he's saying a crown on the tooth is absolutely necessary in order to prevent losing it. My question is why would he use such an expensive procedure as bonding if he knows he's going to go back and grind the tooth down to place the crown? Just seems unnecessary to me. I simply cannot afford the crown right now and am hoping the tooth will last until I can save enough $$$. Anybody have any insight on this situation? Thanks!

I am no dentist but I go to them alot... That does seem odd though he would do that then suggest a crown.. Unless he knew you didn't have the money and did this to hold it together until you did. It seems like he would have asked you first which you would want to do and gave the prices then let you select which one you would want.

Most dentist will do a crown right after a root canal anymore because that tooth is basically dead with no root in it..so very fragile to cracking and breaking and other things. I wish my dentist had told me that would happen when I got my root canals...it was quite a shock later when those teeth started having problems and I was told I would need a cap on them...

Maybe others on here would know more then I do on this.

God bless

[Lexie]

Thanks, Moonglow. He didn't ask me anything - just started working on my mouth! I also have a tooth missing on the back and he's been after me forever to let him extract what he calls a "root tip". So, while I had my mouth stuffed with cotton he said "you know it would only take a minute for me to get rid of that root tip while you're already numb". So I nodded my head yes. When I got to the desk to pay he had added another $160 for that EXTRACTION. It took him all of about 10 minutes to do it. I've been seeing him for quite a few years but I'm beginning to think he's just trying to get as much $$ as he can - and coincidentally he's jut moved into a posh new office.

[moonglow]

Thanks, Moonglow. He didn't ask me anything - just started working on my mouth! I also have a tooth missing on the back and he's been after me forever to let him extract what he calls a "root tip". So, while I had my mouth stuffed with cotton he said "you know it would only take a minute for me to get rid of that root tip while you're already numb". So I nodded my head yes. When I got to the desk to pay he had added another $160 for that EXTRACTION. It took him all of about 10 minutes to do it. I've been seeing him for quite a few years but I'm beginning to think he's just trying to get as much $$ as he can - and coincidentally he's jut moved into a posh new office.

Always, always ask how much before he does anything...the sad thing is dental works is very expensive..very. But yea, maybe its time to get a second opinion on things. A root extraction probably would cost more then just pulling a tooth...you could google it and maybe get some ideas and see if he really is over charging or not.