Hi,
My wife had a tooth ache so we got it checked ($50) and were told that since it requires one more xray ($50) she'd have to make another visit.
However, based on the current visit she was provided an "Initial Estimate" of $4000+ for root canal.
Compared to the country we're from, its an absolutely horrific figure! So just thought i'd ask the ozbargain community how they save on dental issues. Is 4k a realistic amount for a root canal?
I'm based in East Melbourne.
Thanks!
If your ten minutes "research" led YOU to charlatans, I maintain my position that you suck at elementary research.
My assertions aren't my own. Neither did I fabricate them. The research and positive linkages were made in the early 20th century. As far as I'm concerned, it's common knowledge and I'm not about to do the leg work for you.
bunch of natural-paths pushing their own book sales saying it
Playing the man. Who cares who's saying it? Your confirmation-bias never questioned the "she'll be right" a-holes ripping people off and leaving time-bombs in their gobs. It seems the white coated professionals are above reproach where you're concerned.
If YOU choose to venture down natural/holistic rabbit-holes to straw-man me; tar me as anti-vaxxer or whatever? I understand, it's out of frustration.
I also understand the following:
1. The problem is one of neglect and takes years to degrade to pulp necrosis or abscess. Prevention is always best.
2. Most people, perhaps understandably, prefer tooth retention for reasons of practicality and vanity.
3. Those performing these procedures have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. High-yield investment cars don't come with mere cleanings, fillings and extractions.
4. Extraction: $150-400 typically. Root-canal: $???? As we've seen from comments, anything from $500-$4000. I believe a relative of mine has shelled out even more.
5. Until bacterial leeching (post-operative toxicity) is plastered on billboards and buses, they have a degree of plausible deniability where long-term health outcomes are concerned.
6. Most root canals are needed for premolar or molar teeth, so the vanity argument is facile. I've had three molars removed in preference to costly (and possibly toxic) root canals. I eat whatever I want and my smile is unchanged.
cObalt, I'm afraid you made a mountain out of a molehill.
@EightImmortals: Just having a brief scroll through the links, the first one explores the link between systemic implications and oral bacteria, something we're still investigating today (some recent associations between periodontal disease and cardiovascular issues).
That excerpt from the second journal simply states that there is a balance between host (us) and the normal good bacteria in our oral cavity (oral microflora). A poor immune system may lead to the "selective overgrowth" of opportunistic bacteria/specific which wouldn't normally attack, or commonly, caries/dental decay leading to exposure of the tooth's pulp and subsequent infection spreading to the lower tissues, warranting a root canal treatment (RCT).
Third one talks about new ways to identify bacteria species that lead to failure of RCTs/retreatment. Sometimes RCTs fail as there may be some bacteria that was left behind, or were resistant to medications.
All of this is true, but the take home message is, keep your teeth clean and you won't need an RCT. None of the studies actually say "RCT will cause harm like how vaccines cause autism" for instance. Extraction is always the last resort as we want to keep our teeth, primarily for speech, functions, aesthetics, prevention of jaw resorption etc.
Re: your friend's case, if there was still bacteria AND a hole, then it either wasn't done very well or sometimes, teeth just don't respond the way we want them to no matter how skilled the operator. We all try our best in actuality, despite what patients may think :/
@c0balt: One of my clients is a highly qualified and renowned dentist from prestigious dentistry schools & programs. He backs the poster's stance that modern dentistry is extremely toxic and that 'natural' remedies are usually better, & prevention of course. Although he would admit that 2010's dentistry is much less toxic and better than say the 80's. The guy earns a mint and his patients love him, seems to know what he is doing.
@Speckled Jim: Great work convincing us with that high quality research.
Maybe you should write and sell a book on the subject?
Thanks but not my work. Try Dr. Weston Price who exposed the root canal issue in 1910.
Here's a fun activity for you.
You are the biggest crackpot I've ever seen on this site if you are going to peddle conspiracies about how toothpaste is now bad for you!
I don't think the mods should allow you to post such harmful statements that actively tells people that hygiene products and root canals cause disease, when they actually prevent it.
You can't read?
Or are you suggesting it's safe to swallow toothpaste containing fluoride? If this is the case, what do YOU know that the manufacturers don't? Why do they state the obvious?
That's all I actually asked.
If this is hard, get somebody to read it out for you.
lol really? Is this Malbourne humour?
I am a Dentist and am not coy at all about it. No such thing as routine "post-procedure toxicity". The only thing I can think of that is similar to what your saying, only occurs if the RCT is not carried out correctly. And even then, most of the cases resolve within half a year. This occurs when the material used to fill the canal is extruded through the end of the root, causing a foreign body reaction. It is resorbed after a while.
People always pull out crack pot studies to support claims of natural treatment etc etc. The problem is, the general population is not trained to critically analyse what these studies actually mean. For example @EightImmortals: , the two studies you have listed have various problems
I notice a lot of "talking to a friend" or "through personal experience". This is anecdotal evidence and no matter what the lay person may think, does not form the basis for scientific evidence at all.
That hole in the tooth left behind is called a root canal perforation. It means the treatment was not performed correctly. All poorly performed procedures have further complications. Even well performed treatment, by a range of other doctors will have a failure rate.
The biggest problem with scientific evidence is, you cannot make a judgement of the article by just reading the abstract or the conclusion. This is what most lay people do, and this is where they go wrong. Even professionals make incorrect judgements based on the entire article. And the worst thing is, you dont know you made an error in comprehension.
If you would like to provide a dot point of your concerns for ease of reading, I will answer all of them
Who me?
The point about root canals was brought up by the other guy, I was just passing the time earlier on by seeing what support was actually out there. FWIU the concern stems from Weston Price who did some experiments at the start of the last century. As dental practice and tools have improved a tad since then I'm not sure that his concerns are still valid.
As an aside, what is the success rate for titanium implants these days?
Hard to say. Literature says 2-5% failure rate. But contemporary implants are quite recent and there is not enough time for it to be assessed properly
I don’t actually place implants so I would not be able to say. I only put the crowns on after the implant is done
@Tech5: NO worries, thanks anyway. :) (I'm scheduled to have one put in in September but haven't had one before. )
Brushing causes bacteraemia
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3734757/
as well as flossing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19426179
I good root canal should last 10 to 15 years. I had one done on a front tooth back in 1999, only had to extract it early this year as it formed an abscess - 18years! My dentist is a pro though, so obviously he didn't miss anything when cleaning the root out all those years ago.
The expected life of a root canal is 10 years typical.
Hmmm I had two root canals done 12 years ago. I didn't know they have a lifespan!! No problems yet, maybe get my dentist check them out at next visit. Thanks!
Root canal means that the nerves no longer function. Therefore the tooth is effectively dead. there is no other body part that stays in place when it is dead.
This has been a controversial debate for years and this dental practice (root canal) is questioned by many.
There are many health conditions where root canal seems to be a commonality. The procedure allows direct access to the cerebral fluid (in the brain) and this is what is thought by many to be the trigger for the later health issues.
So if there is any nearby infections or problems, then I would just say remove tooth. However you may not know there is such a problem in your mouth. Therefore, I would be just having an extraction.
People are free to research the types of 'professionals' and their messages they try to spread when talking about root canal toxicity - funny how they seem to offer 'natural' alternative medicine therapies.
It allows direct access to your brain as much as your rectum does. That is, not at all
Cerebral fluid… I need to get off this site.
OzNutjobs
To be fair, cerebrospinal fluid is a real thing… just not one that extends to peripheral branches of nerves hahahah
This is very bad advice on many levels.
Root canal means that the nerves no longer function. Therefore the tooth is effectively dead. there is no other body part that stays in place when it is dead.
Correct. But if a tooth is dead, it will get infected, there will be an absess in the bone and puss will pour out of it. You will easily notice it. You can't just leave it.
If you extract the tooth, getting an implant will be very expensive. And all dentists will tell you, nothing beats a natural tooth. On cost alone, RCT + crown is cheaper than extraction + implant, unless you go to some country where they can do it cheap, and then I don't know how confident you can be with the workmanship.
If you choose to leave a gap in your gums, this will lead to other complications further down the line, such as the teeth around it and opposing it moving around.
I have had RC + Crown twice and both times paid around $2,600. My sister just had RC + Crown and the price was $2,200 from a dentist she goes has been going to for nearly 40 years and the price was considered mates rates. I recently received a quote to have a crown fitted to a tooth that keeps on breaking and the cost was $1200 for the crown only + 2 treatments, so say $1500. I hope this helps.
Sensiekatie 53 min ago new
Root canal means that the nerves no longer function. Therefore the tooth is effectively dead. there is no other body part that stays in place when it is dead.
I'm 73 and I have a body part that is dead but still there.
Your appendix?
Yep!!!
Jesus. I've got 4 of mine done 3 years back for 1200 rupees. That's less then 15 dollars. Big difference
Better to get implant about 3k. Sometimes root canal doesnt work so will need fixing later on
3k maybe for a rubbish implant and components. Average is over 4k for a good brand.
What brand??? Even 4k is better than same for rc
Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Astra to name a few brands with years of research behind them. There are other good brands but no more than a dozen out of the 150+ implant companies that seem to keep popping up.
Root canal doesn't work, you redo it or extract and implant.
Implant doesn't work, what do you do?
Implant is screwed into gum so doubt there would br problem
Trust me, you can have a lot of problems with implants requiring the removal of the implant in the end
@Tech5: +1 From an actuary in his 70's.
IMHO implants are still on a learning curve - with 'teething' [:-] problems now arising.
I wouldn't rule out competent oversea$ treatment either.
The cost of root canal treatment depend on number of visits required how difficult it is and how many roots are involved. if its a simple front tooth usually it will have one root and cost will me minimum if its a molar usually they may have 4 root canals. and sometime they may be difficult to explore in such case cost goes up. In root canal treatment difference in between good dentist and a very good dentist is 0.5mm. 4K seems little high but on average it will be around 3K
4k probably includes the crown.i think your misinformed. 2.5k is the few the specialist charge just for the rct. So I think review the quote closely it might be both and seems to be a little high. But an implant costs 5k and if an rct is done poorly you will end up there. So cheap doesn't mean good long term.
I had a similar experience when I took my 7-year-old son to a dentist in St Kilda area. My son was initially charged over 200AUD just for checking and x-ray and was later quoted 3600AUD+ to have all his damage tooth repaired/removed with roughly 10 tooth to be removed. I felt insane and dramatic as I could not image how my sone is going to eat. I paid the examination fee and took the quote home.
Then, I went to another dentist recommended by a friend of my wife's. They charged roughly 100AUD for the whole examination with x-ray and quoted us roughly 1500AUD to have one teeth remove and the rest repaired. It also worth to note that repair fee is higher than extraction at both dental clinics. My son now feels a lot better, he could eat as normally as only one teet removed.
From my experience, I would suggest you find an alternative dentist will definitely help to save a significant amount of money. I also doubt if the more expensive service guarantees a better quality.
Hope you get a better and more affordable service.
How did your 7 year old get damaged teeth or of curiosity?
Refuse to drink water.
Refuse to brush his teeth before bed.
Dry mouth.
Eat/drink sugar stuff all day long, for eg pop drinks.
Not visiting the dentist on regular basis.
This was me when I have 14 cavities filling and 2 root canal done in a span of a month. Many years ago. Now I brush and floss my teeth regularly, visit the dentist every 6 months. No cavities for 12 years.
I paid about 2k in essendon, Vic. Didn't get a crown put on though.
Head over to Thailand to get the job done.
My mother got her teeth done there and she said it was a fraction of the price.
I think the worst case is that including flights etc it would cost the same, but build a little holiday on the end you'll come out on top.
Head over to Thailand to get the job done.
Make sure get the root canal done. Not just root.
I understood this fantastic joke
I don't. Please explain
@TightBottom: Well you see, in Thailand one might get a root in the canal, rather than getting a root canal. Very much a near classic double entendre.
Mind if I call you tightcanal?
I've had wisdom teeth removed overseas (two in Romania, two in Thailand), very cheap prices, no problems.
I would recommend you to go elsewhere to have it fixed ASAP. For example in my case I have gallstone few months ago, but the specialist told me to wait at least 3 months and around 10k for surgery to be prepared. At that time, I could not stand with the pain so flew to Asia country to get it done in one week. The total amount was around $2500
congratulations, you've just justified an international holiday.
We're going to Thailand for our anniversary, and my wife is making me get my teeth fixed while we're over there coz it's so cheap.
btw I've never had a successful root canal treatment. My final crown fell out recently. Thousands for root canal then thousands for a crown, then a few years later repeat. No thanks. I now just say pull it out.
I've been told that the solution for the crown that just fell out is to remove the tooth and have an implant. I've had one before and it's so great having a permanent solution.
So I always go for removal, then if I don't like the hole in my head get an implant.
We're going to Seaside Dental Clinic in Phuket.
Which tooth - how many roots? I had one done last year at an endodontist. Unfortunately for me it was my rear molar. About $1k per root… four roots….
Front molars are easier and cheaper.
Budget extras cover so i got sfa back too.
Rip off. Go overseas and get it done there.
Interesting regarding those that are saying to go overseas for treatment. I've had to manage quite a few cases where every single tooth needed to be extracted after overseas treatment (patient agreed that condition of dentition was terminal as well after seeing pictures and x-rays). I'm not exaggerating when I say its every tooth.
Patients all had the same story. Told to go overseas by friends/family, told not to go by dentists, went anyway, was really happy with treatment after for 3-5 years. Said the dentists were wrong, recommended more people to go overseas. Then the problems started to appear and they see what really is going on underneath all those caps and bridges
Definitely a possibility; there are a lot of dodgy looking places overseas.
That said, assessing the quality of treatment that you're likely to get here is also difficult. It seems like almost nobody here will even advertise their prices, which at least isn't generally a complaint in medical tourism destinations.
I end up going to dentists far less than I should because I never no idea how much things are going to cost. Price transparency would make me a little less reluctant!
Most dentists in big cities advertise how much an initial consult, clean or xrays are. From then on, you can ask for a treatment plan and quote for anything that is needed
Yeah, that's something (but even that is frequently missing) but still insufficient information to form a general impression of the affordability of a particular practice.
Definitely a rip off. If I were you, I'd definitely fly back to the country you were from and get the job done there. I've done this myself and saved heaps. Don't get me wrong, we need to encourage Australian professionals by getting their service as much as possible but when those professionals want to rip us off, then 'no thanks'. And for those who're commenting about 'lack of quality and professionals' in those countries. It's not correct. There are many dodgy places that many Australians are being tricked but there are many great places where you get same level of treatment as Australia for much less. I've seen so many professionals from where I was born serving here in Australian hospitals so I don't see why shouldn't I trust when someone with same knowledge and qualifications is serving in a third world country just because it's not Australia..? Now, I wouldn't recommend this to a person who does't know those countries. If you are Australian born who doesn't have any relatives or knowledge about those countries, you'd rather sort close and trustworthy friend's help (otherwise you're likely to walk in to trouble). But for those who were born and raise there, the choice is pretty simple.
One of the biggest reasons is that these "third world countries" do not have the same legislated standards. If something goes wrong, you don't have a leg to stand on.
About 5 years ago I had to get a root canal on a rear tooth plus get my 4 wisdom teeth out and get 3 fillings replaced and was quoted around $10K. I was horrified. Instead of coughing up that amount, I went to Chiang Mai in Thailand and got everything done (including crowns) for less than $2K. Expert service and care. Even with airfares and accommodation, I was more than $5K better off and got to have a bit of a holiday too.
Having mine done at Sydney Endodontists - $3000 without crown for a molar (3 roots) - across 3x 45min sessions around 2 weeks apart each.
Would be cheaper to get it done at a dentist or if there were less roots
My health fund 'extras' will cover $900 of that
Can get it done in Asia for cheaper; was quoted $300USD in Vietnam but remember for complex cases like this that you can't get it all done in one session. I will be getting the crown down overseas though
Pull it out. If you don't crown it, a few months later it will break and will need to pull it. I speak from personal experience. Had root canal done overseas which was covered by public health system, but I didn't pay to get it crowned. Don't waste your money.
OPTION 1 Get it done in the country you came from
OPTION 2 Go for a holiday to Thailand and get it done
OPTION 3 just get the tooth pulled for $300 and forget about it
On a different note:
How much does it cost to remove 4 wisdom teeth.
A slab of beer ;)
Varies wildly depending on the teeth.
just had it done a month ago. cost about 2000 in total after private cover.
Simple cases - maybe $200-300 per tooth at a Dentist 'in the chair'
Complex such as impacted teeth - $500ish per tooth by a surgeon + anaesthetist fees $500ish + hospital fees $1500 (if done in a hospital like mine under GA)
Whenever a cost seems excessive, or a treatment extreme (which usually means more $$$), get a second (or even a third) quote or opinion. There are rogue health professionals out there with no conscience who will take you for a ride at any chance they get. I've experienced a few over the years. That's not to say the initial consultation was not above board, but it pays to shop around, even if just for peace of mind.
Get more quotes. Also worth getting health insurance for extra. Please be aware that for major dental there is a waiting time (it could be 6 or more months)
First up learn from this idiot " that's has had RC " learn about Root Canal, not from someones whose BMW payments requires root-uanal.
Second up "the teeth may be saved" but don't ask your dentist. The only medical procedure in the world that keeps dead things in your body.
Google re-mineralization. "Stop stupid tooth paste, stop acidic foods in the mouth, spring water only, sodium bicarbonate pure to brush, don't brush just after eating , soft enamel, don't use fake sodium bicarbonate tooth paste Colgate etc.
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/05/…
Bacteria harbored in root canal teeth and surrounding bone release potent toxins
Root canal teeth no longer have a blood supply so the bacteria inside root canal teeth are protected from the immune system
Pathogenic bacteria from infected root canals that infect the surrounding jawbone inhibit, destroy, or kill the white blood cells designed to eliminate them, which is why root canal teeth are a focus of chronic infection
Since root canal teeth are chronically infected and these pathogenic bacteria can travel to other sites in your body, they may contribute to a number of different health problems, including heart disease
The smartest dentist who ever lived
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/dentistry/root-ca…
DNA Studies Confirm Dr. Weston Price’s Century-Old Findings
Toxic dental materials have created much havoc in the dental profession, as well as in patient health, for nearly two centuries. Dental mercury fillings, nickel crowns (especially in children, called “chrome crowns”), root canals and cavitations have been the target of concern for a long time.
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/rootcanalcoverup02apr04.shtml
The 3 1/2 Year Success of Root Canal Cover-Up
By George E. Meinig, DDS, FACD
[Editor's Note ( Kai ner Maa): Dr. Meinig's Root Canal Cover-Up describes the extensive and meticulous root canal research of Dr. Weston A. Price, carried out over a period of 25 years. Originally published in two massive volumes, totaling 1174 pages, Price's work remained unknown to the world until Dr. Meinig's Root Canal Cover-Up translated Price's scientific findings into layman's terms. The following report describes Price's findings on root canals, and details Dr. Meinig's efforts to make them known to the public.]
All Root Canal Teeth Will Become More Infected Over Time
"Step back, do dentist still use Mercury filling if that is a great idea using the second most neurotoxic metal on earth is a good idea to put in your your mouth, but you can't throw your old filling in a trash csn because it's to dangerous
you need a shrink.
Go eat your Canola oil stop eating fat, drink more fluoride
Teeth health wash your teeth after a eating any time with water or better make sliva, brushing after a meal weakens the enamel, tooth paste is crap it Covers your teeth so it can't repair it self, just use sodium bicarbonate, reduce acid levels with more water, eat more greens, to fight infection that thrive on high acid conditions, and the last resort Thailand they have Usa Trained Dentist, also most importantly look at
Holistic Dentist
http://holisticdental.org/
MERCURY 60 MINUTES America fillings.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij-51ZZpyF8
Allso Steve Martin 60 MINUTES Australia removed his mercury fillings on tv About 1990
MERCURY FILLINGS from BBC
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9MytAMiKiRc
And Mercury "smoke" vapour from hot food or brushing your teeth , your dentist first never told you of any danger and it's sealed yet it leaks
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7AMI9P0hdwI
And A proffessor of who died of Mercury poisioning which is smarter than your average Dentist
who specialized in toxic metal exposure. She died of mercury poisoning at the age of 48 due to accidental exposure to the organic mercury compound dimethylmercury (Hg(CH3)2). Protective gloves in use at the time of the incident provided insufficient protection, and exposure to only a few drops of the chemical absorbed through the gloves proved to be fatal after less than a year.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Wetterhahn
Good luck do your research and don't believe them
Lol not a single credible source quoted. Oh by the way, "Dr Mercola" as he is referred to on his website, is not actually a doctor. That smoking tooth you got there. Lol imagine if that was actually true. All those people over 30 in the military would look like a dragon every time they breathed.
Actually why am I bothering…your post is as close to incoherent as it gets
Sigh, Weston Price again.
Thailand
Get a second opinion.
I paid $3500 for a root canal a few years ago, a month later it failed and I had to pay $80 to have it extracted
Slightly annoying
Why would you pay $3500!!!
I would go to another country for few weeks (India preferably) and take travel Insurance (mostly covered in top insurances)
I have family with similar stories.
1) Root canals fail. A lot. (See my other response. 68%-85% fail).
2) Dentists aren't always scrupulous about whether a tooth can be saved. That's a lot of money they'll be getting to do the procedure so there is a conflict of interest.
3) Patients tend to want desperately to save their teeth. Especially young patients with their first adult tooth.
This review from 2014 suggests over 90% success
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3872851/
There are so many factors that determine the pricing for RCT. It depends on whether it is anterior or posterior tooth, number of roots, existing filling or crown on the tooth, is it specialist or general dentist .
RCT is typically 3 visit procedure and the tooth need to be crowned. If the price was 3000 includes crown ( capping of the tooth) then I will say that is the common price of RCT. But if specialist is doing it , then it goes even higher. So 4000, depends who is doing and what is included.
Hope this helps.
Buy a flight ticket. Go to another country in south east asia. Book some five stars hotel. Do your root canal and have holiday at the same time. The total cost will be below $4k. The root canal itself will be below $100.
Anyone had a root canal and then kept the tooth over 5 years?
There are lots of case I can think about . The main factor that is going to determine the life of RCT is whether it is been capped and overall dental hygiene. The reason for RCT in first place can be result of poor oral health or broken tooth due to heavy grinding or accident. For the first two cases, the tooth will last short life if nothing is going to be done to rectify the cause. Thou the tooth is dead, there might be caries in subgingival area that is difficult to treat or due to gingivitis. This can lead to reinfection of the tooth root and cause bone loss or so many other reasons to fail. It is really complex and there are many reason that determine the overall success rate of RCT. If someone gives you guarantee for procedure then s/he is doing something wrong as by law there is no guarantee for medical procedures. But that been said if you ask the dentist and by looking at it s/he might give you tips to increase the life of RCT.
It's not about guarantees. The failure rate from my small annecdotal sampling is much higher than advertised.
But let's not rely on my flawed stories. Even best case figures are 85% at the 10 year mark. Which means 3 out of 20 failed.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5346657_Long-term_S…
This meta study came up with a rate between 68% and 85%. So worst case more than 3 out of 10 had failed, and that had not improved in 5 decades.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17931389
Complete waste of time, money and pain to go through all of that to lose the tooth 2-5 years later anyway.
And from personal experience dentists aren't always scrupulous about whether or not you should attempt to save a tooth, and patients, especially younger patients are hardly objective, especially about that first tooth they're about to lose.
What are your priorities? If it was a finger on a hand, would you pay $1000-3000 to keep it for 10 years with an 85% chance of success over that period? Teeth are important and a lack of them cause a whole host of other issues
The first study says it was done by students and the success rate was 85.1%, imagine if it was done by someone more qualified.
Second study is from 2007, maybe things have improved since then.
Book a ticket to India ($1000) and get Root Canal done for $200-300 at the max.
I am from India and usually get my dental done when I visit India. For some reason dental is so expensive in Australia…
India is known for medical tourism…
Lots of people from US, UK and middle east come to India for medical treatment. Just make sure you visit good hospitals in India…one of the best is Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital (Mumbai) (keep in mind there are two reliance hospitals (owned by two different brothers) Sir HN is the best whereas the other one is good but more expensive and lesser services.
Again I'm asking. How many Ozbargainers had a root canal 5 or more years ago and have kept the tooth?
I don't want "I know of lots of cases". I want first hand accounts from Ozbargainers. This is a huge community. Even if the success rate is only 50%, surely there must be a few???
2 back teeth RC/surgery + crown done over 25 years ago. These are my main chewing teeth. One tooth still ok, the other developing a slight infection at the bottom of the root which needs to be monitored and probably to be extracted some time in the future.
1 broken front tooth, RC and a false tooth on top of the broken one done almost 15 years ago. Starting to develop a small infection at the bottom of the root which also needs to be monitored.
Thanks for responding.
I had a RC done 14 years ago, no crown. Still going strong, although the dentist does think it is now time to crown it.
I paid $1200 for one, full price was $1500, health insurance covered $300.
This was in Vic too
I think you have to ask how many roots. In my experience my private health cover at the time only covered 1 and I had 4 roots in a tooth. Cant remember how much. It was very long time ago.
@EightImmortals:
See that's all I asked for - the actual scientific data behind the claim and you found it. I said I was happy to change my opinion, and yes, when there's actual evidence like that rather than a bunch of natural-paths pushing their own book sales saying it, I can then change my view to reflect peer reviewed knowledge.
So there is a connection between root canals and bacterial growth that can cause periodontal disease, when looking at people with perodontal disease. But the study only had a group of people that had periodontal disease. They didn't take someone like me who has had 6 years of the same crown with no issues and assess if the bacteria in my crown can cause periodontal disease (I don't have it). It's a study of the bacteria present in the root canal of the patients with the disease, not a study that getting a root canal cause disease.
Personally, I would still opt for a root canal every time though, as I find missing/bad teeth extremely unattractive (as a young person with other young people that is, I'm sure when I get old it won't be an issue) - and I don't have the money for implants.
Stalking? I searched Google for your name+ozbargain+vaccinations and just copied the first result, I'll let you have that hyperbole after finding the pubpub articles :)
Surely it would have been more civil to have provided the information when asked and not resort to personal insults? Just food for thought in the future.