Dental Advice Needed

[Oppenheimermann]

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To all dental students & residents,

I was out with my friends eating some Korean barbeque (don't remember what it's called). As soon as I bit down, it felt like something has gotten stuck between my teeth or something. So I reached in and pulled out whatever it was.

There it was...1/4 of my tooth. (I should tell you though that before this happened, there had been a hole on that tooth. I don't know if it was the tooth that had a crown for a while until I had that chewy **** or due to just cavity.)

A few days later, another 1/4 came out.

I haven't been to a dentist for a long time since my family hasn't had a dental program for a long time.

I'm planning on going down to the local dental school clinic and get some treatment but not before 5/19 (I have finals until then).

Do you think it can wait?

Do you guys know how much the whole thing would cost?

I know I would get the hell for letting things get this bad but what the hell.

Thanks, guys.

 

[tx oms]

You'll need a crown and possibly a root canal. Anywhere from $500-1500. You're right, preventative treatment would have kept it from getting to this point; however, no use crying over spilled milk.

 

[12YearOldKid]

From the description, it sounds like orthognathic surgery and 3-5 years of comprehensive ortho is probably indicated. Although the crown and root canal might get you by for a few years.

 

[12YearOldKid]

Oh, now would be a good time to start brushing and using that string stuff for your teeth... what is that called again? What, you don't know either?

Oh, yeah I remember... floss.

Just kidding with you, but seriously, use it. 😀

 

[lnn2]

To all dental students & residents,

I was out with my friends eating some Korean barbeque (don't remember what it's called). As soon as I bit down, it felt like something has gotten stuck between my teeth or something. So I reached in and pulled out whatever it was...

Korean BBQ, was it worth it?! 🙂

Had your dentist ever told you to come back for the root canal on that tooth? Was there any procedure done on that tooth before?

You might need:
1. Crown $400
2. Root canal/Root canal retreat $475
3. Post and core $100
4. Crown elongation $100
Those are only estimated fees at dental schools. Private practice usually costs twice of those fees.

Number 3 & 4 depend on the extent of the fracture of that tooth.

 

[12YearOldKid]

How do you get your requirements done with those fees at your school, Inn2 ? Those are kinda steep for a dental school.

 

[lnn2]

How do you get your requirements done with those fees at your school, Inn2 ? Those are kinda steep for a dental school.

I thought that it was steep for a dental school too! The majority of the patient pool have govt dental assistance (like medicare/aid). They usually don't have to pay for anything that considered noncosmetic. Bridges are not covered. Partials have to have at leat 3 teeth. The school also offers payment plan around $50/month.
So the problem is not really the price tags but the patients and the bureaucracies in dental school. The assigned patients are unpredictable. Crowns and partials take 2wks to get back from the lab. Any problem, another 2wks of waiting! It takes 4-6wks to get an approval from insurance. Paper works are every where!

 

[ItsGavinC]

How do you get your requirements done with those fees at your school, Inn2 ? Those are kinda steep for a dental school.

Those fees match up pretty well with our school fees (set at 1/2 the price of dentists in the area).

 

[gryffindor]

Those fees match up pretty well with our school fees (set at 1/2 the price of dentists in the area).

Those fees don't sound too unreasonable; my school had similar fees as well.

For the OP, your scenario could probably wait till 5/19, assuming you haven't been having any excruciating pain. If there is a big gaping hole in the tooth you are talking about, you could try some of the over-the-counter temporary filling material they sell. This would only prevent food from getting further impacted in the hole, it doesn't solve the problem. If you notice any swelling near the tooth, pus, or unbearable pain, however, you should go in earlier. Otherwise, call the school up to make sure you can be seen on 5/19.

 

[Oppenheimermann]

For the OP, your scenario could probably wait till 5/19, assuming you haven't been having any excruciating pain.

No pain.

If there is a big gaping hole in the tooth you are talking about, you could try some of the over-the-counter temporary filling material they sell.

The tooth is missing its 1/4 but I still think I should use some kind of filling material. What's it called?

Thank you, guys, for all the help.

Looks like I'd better take out some of those Unsub. Stafford Loans to cover the treatments. (Oh, I also need to get braces. People think I should get it now that I'm in dentistry. How much do you think it will cost?)

Thank you.