I had a root canal. My dentist didn't even tell me anything about having a crown until after she finished the root canal-then she told me I need to schedule the crown prep. Needless to say, I was quite surprised because I thought I was all finished. Now I have to pay for a crown. My insurance will pay for 50%. I have to pay my part in 2 payments. I was told my part will be about $300. I 'm not to happy about having to take $150 with me for my next two visits.
2007-12-16 05:14:56 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
It really stinks that your Dentist didn't tell you ahead of time, but you really should crown the tooth. When you have a root canal done, the nerve of the tooth is removed. So is the blood supply to the tooth. This will cause the tooth over time to get very brittle. Since you have already invested time and money into this tooth, it would be a waste to not crown it and have it break off at the gum line and need to be pulled later. A crown will protect that from happening. And $300 is a pretty small co pay compared to some. Good Luck!
2007-12-16 05:40:04 · answer #1 · answered by bundanator 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I was in college (with no dental insurance) I had to have a root canal done. At that time I could not afford the crown, so the dentist gave it a filling instead. I was supposed to get it crowned when I got insurance. That was probably 15 years ago. However, I have been lucky because that filling is not as strong as the crown and I have risked cracking what's left of the tooth. If you can afford it, I'd just get the crown now.
2007-12-16 05:21:46 · answer #2 · answered by Skittles are M & M wannabees 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Do you have to have a crown after a root canal?
I had a root canal. My dentist didn't even tell me anything about having a crown until after she finished the root canal-then she told me I need to schedule the crown prep. Needless to say, I was quite surprised because I thought I was all finished. Now I have to pay for a crown. My...
2015-08-16 18:34:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you - to surprise a patient is to lose a patient.
However, I haven't met a patient yet who was happy about having to pay for any dental treatment. For some reason, people tend to think that all will be well with life as long as they have dental insurance. Well it isn't and that's the name of that tune.
That being said your dentist should have told you all the costs involved in handling the tooth to completion. When a tooth is root therapied that normally involves the root therapy, core build up (sometimes with a post) and the final crown. The crown is necessary to restore the tooth to its original shape and strength.
This entire procedure runs in the neighborhood of about $2,000 (depending on the tooth) for all the above. Non-insured patients pay the full tilt out of their own pocket so $300 is not that drastic but you should have known that up front.
2007-12-16 06:40:03 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. Dave 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The dentist was guilty of a truthful omission, either by incompetence or on purpose.
Regardless of the reasons, you have to have the crown. It is what holds the tooth together now.
Without it, the pressure of eating will force the walls of the tooth outward and it will either crack or break and you will be in for even more costly work.
You need to speak with this dentist AFTER the work has been performed. There are ethical considerations here. This dentist needs to be reported to the state licensing board.
2007-12-16 05:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by Seryan 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
ABSOLUTELY DONT WAIT TO LONG BECAUSE THE RCT IS REMOVING THE NERVE FROM THE TOOTH WHICH MEANS THE TOOTH IS DEAD NOW SO TO PROTECT IT YOU MUST HAVE A CROWN OR IT WILL BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK AND YOU WILL HAVE WASTED THE MONEY SPENT ON THE RCT AND LOSE THE TOOTH HOWEVER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED TO YOU IN THE BEGINNING SORRY IT WASNT
2007-12-16 07:43:17 · answer #6 · answered by paula c 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
THIS DENTIST DIDN'T WANT T FRIGHTEN YOU AWAY WITH THE TOTAL COST AT THAT TIME.
A COPAY OF $300 IS VERY REASONABLE FOR THE CROWN.
2007-12-16 06:33:31 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. Albert, DDS, (USA) 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
sould like the doc didn't disclose all costs but now your stuck.
next time ask if that the total cost!
2007-12-16 05:19:54 · answer #8 · answered by Curtis R 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋