$1000.00 root canal? Dental Professionals Only Please?

Question

I went to a dentist to get 2 crowns. The dentist informed I would need a root canal. I didn't think anything of it and made the appointment. Today I was called and told that the specialist would be performing the root canal, and that it would cost A THOUSAND DOLLARS. Yes, that's right, 1k for a root canal. So I pleaded with the office, I can't afford that, can't the dentist do it and they said no. The crowns have already been ordered so I have to go back to that dentist and get them put in. The office said I could go somewhere else to do the root canal, but how can I pull that off? What dentist would be willing to do a root canal on someone else's temporary? Any suggestions? I can't afford 1000.00. Please help me. Please.

Answer 1

I'm a dentist.

First off, I suggest you find another general dentist. Unless he/she has a particular reason to think that performing a root canal on your tooth would be an exceptionally difficult procedure, he/she has no business referring you to an endodontist. I am a firm believer that all general dentists should be able to handle 99% of their root canal cases, and those who cannot shouldn't hold a license to practice dentistry.


What's even more purturbing is that the doctor would go ahead and prepare a tooth for a crown knowing that it needs a root canal first. And, I'm a bit surprised that he/she would do so without even giving you some estimate as to the cost of the root canal. Sometimes the cost of the procedures individually is feasible for a patient, but the two together amount to a cost that is more than a patient can spend.

You might want to go back to your doctor and inquire about that. Unless he/she didn't know that the tooth would need a root canal until after the crown was prepped, you have a very legitimate gripe.

The specialist to which you have been referred is called an "endodontist", and personally I think they are the most dispicable dentists out there. They epitomize the most serious problems out there in the dental profession. They do virtually nothing but root canals day in and day out and charge obscene amounts of money for them (compared to what a general dentist in the same locality would charge). Endodontists exist because there are so many dentists out there who are too goddamned lazy to do their own root canals. The only things I send to endodontists are patients who are unmanageable or who have borderline untreatable teeth. I deliberatly try to send them patients who will waste their time.

Find another dentist. Call some offices near you and ask if the doctor does his own "molar endo". They'll be glad to take your business. Let them know that you've had a crown prepared at another office and that the other doctor who prepared the tooth for the crown will have to seat the crown, but after that you will switch practices. You'll likely be treated very warmly.

Finally, be sure and let the first doctor know that you are leaving his/her practice specifically because he doesn't offer his patients the full range of services every general dentist SHOULD offer to their patients--such as molar root canals.

Answer 2

The reason the cost is so high is that you've been sent to an endodontist to have the procedure done. They always charge more than a general dentist does. Unless you have a particular problem that necessitates your seeing a specialist then you can look around for another dentist to do the work. A lot of dentist do their own root canal treatments so it's not something that "must" be done by a specialist. Your dentist just may prefer not to do them, which some do opt not to do them because they are time consuming. Check with your friends or co workers, who may have a dentist that does them. You can even use the phone book and call different ones to see if you can find someone to do it for less. Usually a root canal on a tooth with 4 canals cost around $500.00-600.00 with a general dentist, depending on the tooth and how many canals are located, also where you live is a big factor. So that's worth doing a little looking around for, I would think. Hope I've been of some help and good luck, I'm sure you'll find someone to do the job!

Answer 3

They will pull the temporary off to do the rootcanal. No problem. A molar root canal is going to run you 750-100 n matter where you go. Any dentist that is a general has had training in the root canal area. Ask your friends if their dentist is good, then call and get a price for the tooth. Some offices will not tell you - price shopping isn't always the best way to find a good dentist. There is a company called CARECREDIT they are on the net- They loan money to people for dentisty. You can apply on line and find out if you qualify in 30 seconds- then I'd ue the card at a dentist that takes it. Your 1000 root canal can cost you 30 a month over so many years, and you can pay it off early with no penality. They have a interest rate free offer - like 12 even payments but you have to ask for it. Do not put t the crown on until you have had the root canal if you can get the money together. If not- they can drill through a crown, but there is a slight chance the porcelain will fracture. Happens occasionally. You can find a little better price, I'm sure. The dental credit card is worth doing your teeth right. I got a loan for my dad's teeth on my car- just used it as collateral. Good luck!

Answer 4

It sounds like you were seeing a specialist, an endodontist, for the root canal. Sometimes a general dentist can do the root canal, sometimes not. That's part of the reason there are specialists, for when the generalist can't do it- too complicated, etc.

You *can* have someone else to the root canal. It is not done through the temporary crown; it is taken off.

If you are concerned about cost, shop around.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Perhaps you could volunteer to be a practice case for the specialist, which may entitle you to a discounted rate. Some specialists regularly take time to hone their skills and need legitimate patients on which to practice new skills, new instruments, techniques, etc. Also, you could ask your dentist to refer you to a specialist who is a new graduate from endodontics. Perhaps someone with less experience (although maybe less desirable) would have a lower rate. Ensure you get a detailed quote from your practitioner. Be aware of the materials used, as certain materials cost more than others, and often there are lower cost alternatives. Have a candid discussion with both your dentist and the endo. Ask if you can have a no-obligation consult with the endo.
Good luck!

Answer 6

It does sound like a endodontist. If you have insurance just make sure that the specialist is in your network, sometimes dental offices have specialist at their offices but the specialist do not have to be in network, even if the dental office is. And just because they take you insurance does not mean they are in network. If they are out of network you can find one that is in network, specialist see any patients just for the root canal and that's it. If you don't have insurance that price does seem average for Houston. (Maybe even a little low) Also if you don't have coverage now you may want to sign up for one of those discount insurances like American Dental, etc. that way you can see a specialist that excepts that plan and at least you get a discounted rate off of their fee. Another thing is carecredit, if your dental office excepts that, you can charge you dental visit. It is a credit card for dental, vision, vet etc. and you only have to charge $300 to get one year no intrest.

Answer 7

Root canals are expensive work. Some general dentist offices do root canals on molars, but the $1,000 is a very acceptable cost. Sorry.

Answer 8

This sounds like a regular dentist. All dentists learn all specialties in school so a regular dentist can do a root canal. Specialist spend an extra couple of years specializing though. An endodontist is the dentist who specializes in root canals though.

Answer 9

My cousin owns a high dollar dentist office outside Chicago Illinois 1000 bucks is cheap. mine were 1500 with family discount. ask if they have payment plans. allot of reputable offices have payment plans.

Answer 10

we'll pull it out for $90.

go get it pulled before you really have problems. but, first make sure it needs pulled. many dentists do root canals when the tooth doesn't actually need one. if you live near mexico, go there. go to a biologic dentists. if you need a list of some in your area, email me. when they pull it, you wear a temporary partial for 3 months, then you can get a permanent partial or bridge.

http://www.rooted.tv/Reviews.htm

http://www.mercola.com/article/dental/rootcanal/root_canals.htm

Hal Huggins answers the most commonly asked questions about root canals:

Why should I not have a ROOT CANAL done?

Root canals are recommended when a tooth has been fractured, or when decay has entered the nerve chamber and created much pain. Often the body calcifies the tooth membranes, and allows it to remain. Unusual as it sounds, the body does not like dead structures in it, and a healthy body will try to reject it. Pain requiring antibiotics and pain pills are frequently used until the immune system stops working in that area. Root canals produce toxins that can increase or create many autoimmune diseases.

Is laser treatment for cleaning of root canals and cavitations considered a safe treatment?

In both root canal sockets and cavitation linings, the big concern is the anaerobic bacteria. These are ones that live in the absence of oxygen. Botulism and gangrene are examples of anaerobic bacterial action. Bad bugs. If laser can kill all the bacteria, who is going to remove the dead bacteria, or the dead bone lining the sockets? There is no blood supply here. Laser only kills, does not clean debris. Other techniques are required to leave a clean area that can fill in with bone and new blood vessels.
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There is no way to disinfect a root canal. No matter how clean the area is or how free of bacteria, there are always bacteria in the tubules and they will grow. And, the more antibiotics taken or applied, the more antibiotic resistant, and stronger, they will become.

Root canals are the most toxic most damaging procedure dentists can do. You have two options: a root canal or an extraction. Dentists usually fill root canals with gutta percha. Some use the Sargenti method, a popular treatment used by 25% of dentists, but denounced by the American Dental Association because it contains formaldehyde compounds. There have been a lot of problems with those. They used to contain lead. The current formulas are said to have removed the lead, but millions of root canal treatments using the old formulas are still in people's mouths. Gutta percha is 15% barium so that it will show up in the X-ray. Gutta percha shrinks and leaves gaps and the tooth can never be sterile. There is no such thing as a sterile root canal. During a root canal, the main canal is filled and possibly some of the small side canals, but the other smaller canal-like structures in teeth called dentinal tubules are too tiny to be filled during treatment and these tubules become home to bacteria instead. Since there are millions of these tubules there is room for enough bacteria to challenge the immune system. The waste products from these nasty germs include some very toxic substances called thio-ethers, and your body has to deal with these toxins 24 hours a day. They contaminate the bone around the tooth and they are picked up by the immune system and carried to the liver for detoxification. Unfortunately, the liver can be seriously damaged by them. Weston Price conducted research on root canals and wrote two books about how toxic they can be. So you have to make up your mind what is more important to you. I believe no tooth is worth destroying my immune system. by Jerome, Frank, D.D.S. [phone], Columbus Indiana, Author of "Tooth Truth"

ROOT CANALS POSE HEALTH THREAT AN INTERVIEW WITH GEORGE MEINIG, D.D.S.
Dr. Joseph Mercola
1443 W. Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194-4065
phone [phone]

MJ You're assuming that ALL root-filled teeth harbor bacteria and/or other infective agents?

GM Yes. No matter what material or technique is used - and this is just as true today - the root filling shrinks minutely, perhaps microscopically. Further and this is key - the bulk of solid appearing teeth, called the dentin, actually consists of miles of tiny tubules. Microscopic organisms lurking in the maze of tubules simply migrate into the interior of the tooth and set up housekeeping. A filled root seems to be a favorite spot to start a new colony.

One of the things that makes this difficult to understand is that large, relatively harmless bacteria common to the mouth, change and adapt to new conditions. They shrink in size to fit the cramped quarters and even learn how to exist (and thrive!) on very little food. Those that need oxygen mutate and become able to get along without it. In the process of adaptation these formerly friendly "normal" organisms become pathogenic (capable of producing disease) and more virulent (stronger) and they produce much more potent toxins.

Today's bacteriologists are confirming the discoveries of the Price team of bacteriologists. Both isolated in root canals the same strains of streptococcus, staphylococcus and spirochetes.

MJ Is everyone who has ever had a root canal filled made ill by it?

GM No. We believe now that every root canal filling does leak and bacteria do invade the structure. But the variable factor is the strength of the person's immune system. Some healthy people are able to control the germs that escape from their teeth into other areas of the body. We think this happens because their immune system lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other disease fighters aren't constantly compromised by other ailments. In other words, they are able to prevent those new colonies from taking hold in other tissues throughout the body. But over time, most people with root filled teeth do seem to develop some kinds of systemic symptoms they didn't have before.

MJ It's really difficult to grasp that bacteria are imbedded deep in the structure of seemingly-hard, solid looking teeth.

GM I know. Physicians and dentists have that same problem, too. You really have to visualize the tooth structure - all of those microscopic tubules running through the dentin. In a healthy tooth, those tubules transport a fluid that carries nourishment to the inside. For perspective, if the tubules of a front single-root tooth, were stretched out on the ground they'd stretch for three miles!

A root filled tooth no longer has any fluid circulating through it, but the maze of tubules remains. The anaerobic bacteria that live there seem remarkably safe from antibiotics. The bacteria can migrate out into surrounding tissue where they can "hitch hike" to other locations in the body via the bloodstream. The new location can be any organ or gland or tissue, and the new colony will be the next focus of infection in a body plagued by recurrent or chronic infections.

All of the "building up" done to try to enhance the patient's ability to fight infections - to strengthen their immune system - is only a holding action. Many patients won't be well until the source of infection - the root canal tooth - is removed

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In 2001, Dr. Mark Breiner, of Connecticut, author of Whole Body Dentistry:Discover the Missing Piece to Better Health, was disciplined and fined $5,000 in December 2001 for advising patients that their mercury fillings and root canals could be contributing to their health problems. His disciplinary actions were categorized under fraud/deceit/incompetence/negligence in his consent order. Now tell me who is practicing fraud? A dentist who tells his patients that the fillings are not just silver, but mostly mercury, or the American Dental Association and the Connecticut Department of Public Health who doesn't want the public to know about the harmful effects of mercury fillings?

In his consent order the DPH also told him you "shall not remove teeth that have undergone root canal treatment that cannot be corrected by treatment of the root canal itself, retrograde filling or surgical apioectomy, or in which the root canal is fractured, without first providing the patient with the names and telephone numbers of two medical professionals approved by the Department with whom the patient may consult as to the traditional medical position on the planned treatment."

So if a root canal was causing health problems in a patient, Dr. Breiner was not to remove it, but to put in a retrograde filling. That means he was to put mercury down under the gumline and surgical apioectomy means he was to put mercury down in the root of the tooth, after cutting into the gums down at the root. Can you imagine mercury, not just on top of your teeth, but also down in the meat of your gums, down at the tip of your roots where it is in contact with your flesh?

Manufacturers of amalgam fillings warn against the placement of retrograde fillings. But that is what dentists do to "save" a root canal. We have testimonies at DAMS of severe poisoning by mercury used in a surgical apioectomy.

Dr. Breiner got in trouble again with the Connecticut Department of Public Health when he wrote an editorial to the Connecticut Post newspaper warning against mercury fillings when there was a mercury spill in a local high school. According to a press release from Consumers for Dental Choice.

Dr Hal Huggins, D.D.S. in a lecture to the Cancer Control Society 1993:

Then we get into the root canal business, and that is the most tragic of all.

Isn't there something you can put in the centre of the canal that is safe?

Yeah, there probably is, but that is not where the problem is. The problem with a root canal is that it is dead. Lets equate that. Lets say you have got a ruptured appendix, so you go to the phone book, and who do you look up? Lets see, we have a surgeon and a taxidermist, who do you call? You going to get it bronzed?

That is all we do to a dead tooth. We put a gold crown on it, looks like it has been bronzed. It doesn't really matter what you embalm the dead tooth with, it is still dead, and within that dead tooth we have bacteria, and these bacteria are in the absence of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen most things die except bacteria. They undergo something called a pleomorphic change...like a mutation. they learn to live in the absence of oxygen…now produce thioethers, some of the strongest poisons on the planet that are not radioactive.

These get out into the body and you may notice in the medical literature of 1900 they mentioned a few heart attacks, so it wasn’t a big deal in 1900, but by 1910 2% of the US population, which is a lot of folks had had heart attacks. By 1920---10% of the population had had heart attacks, and we are up to about 25% about 10 years ago, and everywhere you go you see joggers running around. Menus in the restaurant have this little heart over it because we are on low cholesterol diets …….so what has it done. It has dropped the 25% down to around 43% . We are going in the wrong direction and root canals are going up. In 1990 we did 17 million of them. This last year we did 23 million, and the ADA hopes by the year 2000 we reach 30 million a year.

Weston Price knew this back in 1920 - he would take a person who had had a heart attack, take out the tooth with the root canal, take a little segment of it, put it under the skin of a rabbit.

We have done this with guinea pigs, and in about 10 days that rabbit would die of a heart attack. And you could take it out and put it under the skin of another rabbit, and in 10 days he would die of a heart attack……he would do this to 30 rabbits and every one of them in 97% of the cases would die of heart disease. What if they didn’t have heart disease? If they had something else, the rabbit picks up the something else, but all of them that we have tested in this way have ended up with an auto immune disease in the kidney, and if you look at the work of Joseph Issels in Germany who for 40 years treated terminal cancer cases. He started on them when they had already had their chemo, surgery, radiation, then they came to him. That is having 3 strikes against you and a fast ball down the tube there before you get up to the plate. He turned around 24% of 16,000 patients over a period of 40 years. What is the first thing he did? Have a dentist take out the root canal teeth.

...I have this shirt tail relative down there [Texas] about 24 years old, and she has brain cancer, so what do they do? They take out half her brain. Then it comes back so they take out the other half of her brain. Then it comes back a third time, and there is not much left to take out. Now they probably didn’t take out half, I may have stretched the point there a bit, but she was still fully functional, but it was right smack full in the middle of the brain. Three tumors growing, three root canals, and she is pregnant, and it is hard to overcome the stress to the body that pregnancy does, much less trying to overcome cancer, much less trying to overcome the root canals.

So we took out those 3 root canals when she had 3-6 months to live. And that was 6 years ago, and she is still alive today, and MRI can't find the tumor anymore. It went away.

So there are a lot of things, and this is just a tip of this giant chunk of ice under the water that has been making us think we are normal when we have all of these things going on in our body that we caught at the dental office-..it is time you were informed.