Quote:
Originally posted by Turd
im in las vegas and ive not been to the dentist for years. so i called one up that a friend recomended. 100 for xrays and 75 for exam.
is that a lot?
and while im posting, how much should a root canal cost? how bout a crown? a filling? i think ill need any or all of these.
last question. my gums have receded a bunch on both sides of my bottom, center teeth. it seems that the oral surgery i had years ago has moved my teeth around and that along with other factors has lowered my gums considerably.
question is, how do i get them back up? or, is it even possible to get them back up?
thanks so much for answering all the questions that have been asked. very helpful.
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It's tough to answer the price questions because it ranges depending on factors like where you live and wat type of practice you're going to. When your dentist gets something fabricated for you (like a crown), they pay a dental lab to make it. The lab price varies by a huge amount depending on the materials used and the lab technician's skills. If you get a dentist who charges $500 for a crown, you can be sure that he's going to a lab that gives him a good price. Bottom line. If your dentist charges $1500 for a crown, chances are he's getting work done at an expensive lab. Obviously that's not necessarily true.
That being said, here are some general ranges:
Your prices for the xras and cleaning does sound a little high because lots of offices have new patient specials that give those services for a reduced rate. The prices you list are reasonable if there is no such special.
Root canal front tooth: $500-$800
Root canal back tooth: $700-$1300
Crown: $600-$1500 depending on type & quality of materials used
Silver Filling: $80-$200 depending on size
White Filling: $120-$300 depending on size and type.
Keep in mind that you generally also need what's caled "post & core" on a tooth that had a root canal and will be getting a crown. This should be in the $250 range.
One thing people have to keep in mind is that dentistry is something that is a service. A crown from one dentist is NOT the same thing as a crown from another dentist. It ain't like comparing VCR prices at amazon.com vs. buy.com. If a dentist is charging very little, BELIEVE me, he is making it up somewhere else whether it be in materials used, amount of time he's willing to spend on the work until he's happy with the results, or other ways. Cheaper is not always worse quality but there is a huge difference between even a well-done filling vs. a poorly done one.
As far as your gums receding, yes it is correctable with periodontal surgery. The general way of doing it is to take a graft from the roof of your mouth and put it where you need it. Don't be frightened by what people tell you about it. Some people experience pain with it, some don't. My wife barely needed any advil. Whatever discomfort there is, it's less than losing your teeth and using dentures.
