My wife needs a tooth removed and dental implant done. We have been told by the dentist it would be $5k.
Our insurance will likely just cover the first $1k at best. Anybody know of any good dentist surgery in Brisbane where it could be less?
Seems a waste of time saving a few bucks on groceries and everything on here and then get hit with a $5k bill, so would really appreciate any advice.
Obviously health is important so would want surgeries based on recommendations.
I'm not sure if this is a very productive comment for a forum, or maybe you are just having a bad day. I am here to ask for advice, if someone recommends somewhere for $4k for example or alternative options that they have had success with then I would investigate that option.
I don't see how you could even compare. Not that I know much about implants, but surely wouldn't it be a case of treatment has to be according to individual circumstances. It's like asking how much someone paid to build their house. It is going to vary according to circumstances. Wouldn't it be more prudent to go with someone who already knows the history etc.
But sounds like you just want the cheapest solution for your wife, that's fine also.
You sure gave a bad example. People can build a house from $150k to $15M+ but no dentists will charge someone over $20k for a single dental implant nowadays. The OP just wanted price guides and recommendations based on members experiences.
It would be worth having a consult with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, they are medically registered and thus it might be possible to get a little back on medicare (especially if bone grafting required).
Also, if you are treated by a surgeon and have it done in hospital some of the consumables may be covered by the health fund (that arent covered in an outpatient dental setting)
typically the cost would be be 2k for the implant and 2k for the crown but maybe inflation has surpassed my recollection of the prices
Thanks, I was unaware of this option. Will look into this, currently just seen one specialist so will likely see a few different consultants too.
Try to time each stage of the implant so you can get more back from health fund. Don't do the implant process all in the same year, space it out, do the first stage near the end of the year and then do the last stage in the following year. They don't bill you 5k straight away, these things are done in stages, and they bill you after each stage.
Seems a waste of time saving a few bucks on groceries and everything on here and then get hit with a $5k bill
Yep, agree, does your wife brush/floss regularly and have regular check ups and cleans?
Sometimes, it is not a case of if you have properly maintained your teeth or not. Accidents happen. People damaged their teeth in a fall, fight or even minor things like teeth grinding. Not to mention dental procedure mishaps which I have experienced myself when my dentist drilled too deep during a filling procedure. That has cost me a root canal in the end and almost lost that tooth.
Yes I think its just bad luck as she is certainly better than me but with more problems. Long story short- she had a root canal and crown put in 10+ years ago but now has pain. Xray showed infection in the route and apparently not filled in to the very bottom of the root so they need to remove the tooth. Its a tooth that she'll need a replacement for as its not at the very back.
I was quoted about 5K when I had mine done about 18 months ago but they only ended up charging about 3.5K..maybe I have one of those faces? Same deal, crown went dodgy after a few years and implant was the only option left. Was a fairly pain free exercise TBH which surprised me given the details of the procedure itself. My only advice is DON'T SKIMP, you are not buying a TV so you want this procedure done right the first time by an experienced dentist. Also ask around for references in your area in that regard.
Was it in Brisbane, can you please share where you did the implant? Thanks.
@npc: Wasn't in Brisbane and the guy that did it is on sabbatical for a year or so. Just ask some locals in your area I'm sure someone will have some recommendations.
Don't people go to Hungary or Thailand for extensive dental that would cost a lot here?
Yes and China, Vietnam too but people just don’t go there for a single implant.
A friend went to SEA and got a full replacement for $20k. They've the best looking set I've ever seen.
Nice, and what do her teeth look like?
I had all 4 wisdom teeth + back molar pulled out in 2006. Maxioblahnlahblah surgeon said I'd need to get an implant or the the tooth above it would come down and eventually fall out. I was a student at the time, and baulked at the cost… Figured it's up the back, do your worst gravity.
14years later and every dentist I have seen asks me how long since I had that removed as the top one will start coming down and I need to get an implant to prevent it… then I tell them 2006. Then we never talk about it again as if it hasn't dropped by now, it's not going to.
Tooth pulled and a crown(?), 3k+ sounds about right.
Can always just have the tooth pulled with no crown, for a few hundred…