Broken Tooth, need options and info please

LecoJV on 10/03/2016 - 19:11

Hello,

I have read many other posts here and gained valuable info, thanks all, I still have a few questions.
I have a broken rear molar (most rear). It's diagonally broken on the tongue side from the crown down below the gum line. Because the break is on the tongue side the X-ray did not show the break but it did show infection at the base of the root. This infection is currently being treated with antibiotics. Pain is currently manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen and once the antibiotics kick in this should reduce the pain even more.

I was told by the dentist I have 2 options:
1. Under NSW health care (card holder) I can have the tooth removed by a specialist-dentist for free (a specialist due to the complicated nature of the break, normally she would do it but not in this case), OR
2. a. I can pay to have a full assessment by a private dentist which would likely lead to having a root canal and crown (all this costs around $2400-$3200???),
b. But if the break goes all the way to the end of the root ,what happens then? probably remove tooth and then have an implant(this could cost up to $6000???)

I cannot afford anything in option 2. So I have read suggestions here in Ozbargain about joining a health fund, getting a waiver on waiting periods, then getting the rebate from the health fund. This sounds like Ozbargain genius !
Has anyone done this, what's your experience?

Does anyone know which health funds are best for this?

I noticed on some iselect website that for approx $50/mo for extras only cover I could get $1950 in major dental rebates with a $500 excess. That still will cost me between $1000 to $1700 for the root canal and crown and up to $4500 for the implant…

Is there a better option?

I thank all in advance for any help.

ecoJV

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • oscargamer on 10/03/2016 - 19:22
    +3

    get it taken out - won't affect your life at all and can't have any future problems with it

    • scrimshaw on 10/03/2016 - 20:12
      +4

      won't affect your life at all and can't have any future problems with it

      It can actually. Having a tooth missing changes the way you bite down and use your jaw for eating. You might start preferring to chew food on your left side if you're missing a teeth on your right. Your dentist will often tell you to get a tooth replacement as soon as possible, especially if it's a rear molar.

      With a rear molar missing in action, some of the neighbouring teeth may become crooked over time.

      The rear molar serves as a 'bookend' that props up your other teeth and keeps them upright. Without that 'bookend', constant pressure from jaw clenching or chewing can eventually cause your teeth to shift to fill the empty space.

  • Charity on 10/03/2016 - 19:35

    Just want to send my sympathies for your tooth pain. Hope you get better soon.

    One thing to add is that some dentists offer instalments for people without insurance.

  • pjetson on 10/03/2016 - 19:46

    So I have read suggestions here in Ozbargain about joining a health fund, getting a waiver on waiting periods, then getting the rebate from the health fund.

    You may have a problem with it being a pre-existing condition, which is usually not covered.

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 10/03/2016 - 20:56

      Not always and depends on your fund. Pre existing conditions can be covered after a 12 month waiting period.

  • simplyme on 10/03/2016 - 19:58
    +1

    I am a firm believer of saving a tooth, if you can. However, from experience, it's not easy saving a cracked tooth. It can be very costly, only to have to have it extracted anyway. So I would have it out if you can't afford risking spending lots of money. Hope your pain goes away soon.

  • scrimshaw on 10/03/2016 - 20:04

    I have a chipped front (broken) tooth, and I also have a crown. I've had it for the last 8 years or so.

    I just recently learned that a crown is not a permanent fixture and for most people it has a finite lifespan due to wear and tear. Plus some other complications that might occur — namely, the tooth itself might start decaying, and you don't really notice it because it no longer has a root (so, no feeling, plus you can't really see with your naked eye — only an Xray can detect it).

    The complication with mine is that due to food particles getting in underneath the crown (due to the gum receding plus some bone loss around the damaged area), the dentists suspect that slight tooth decay might be happening and when that occurs the whole tooth has to be taken out, or I could pay quite a lot of money to have the crown removed (a risky procedure, as it risks fracturing the entire tooth) so that they can grind away at the decayed part, and then replace the crown.

    In the end I chose to wait because there's no way I can afford the $6000 dollar procedure. the best I can do is to improve my dental hygiene and basically floss twice a day, praying that my tooth doesn't fall out…

    If you do end up with Option 2 and take the crown, ensure you discuss at length with your dentist about any possible post-operation risks, as well as how to take care of your crown. Make sure to keep your dental hygiene up.

    • ecoJV on 10/03/2016 - 20:59

      Why don't they make crowns in a shape that takes into consideration gum recession, so over time it can be continuously cleaned properly? Just like normal teeth.

      Did you consider an implant for $6000, I assume they last longer than crowns, is this correct ?

      I read lots of comments about doing this overseas, and if I had the money I would travel and get an implant.

      But I don't have the money so I either go free tooth extraction, win lotto then get implant in the future, OR win lotto tomorrow and get an implant immediately.

      • scrimshaw on 10/03/2016 - 21:22

        Why don't they make crowns in a shape that takes into consideration gum recession

        Well, that might not be possible. Teeth that has it's root removed (through root canal surgery) means the teeth has pretty much died and is more prone to breakage and stress fracture. The purpose of the crown is to close off the tooth, and form a protective cap so crap can't get into it and cause decay.

        But as humans age, the gums recede little by little showing off some of the ugly metalworks underneath and when that happens you can decide to have the crown re-done if it looks ugly, or if it starts to feel uncomfortable. Or in my case, you suspect tooth decay (which can happen if you don't check your teeth often enough or use specialized tools to clean your teeth daily)

        Now the $6000 that was quoted was not for an implant. It was for the extremely delicate procedure of having the crown re-done. Removing the existing crown is pretty difficult, because forcefully pulling the crown off can mean breaking off the entire tooth — Game Over!

        A tooth replacement (implant) is actually less complex — they just pull the teeth out and then stick in the implant. This method is less time consuming and is cheaper.

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 10/03/2016 - 20:57
    +1

    OP, you won't get a waiver on major dental work from a health fund (which usually has a 12 month waiting period). The repairs on your broken tooth will be considered major dental, so that only leaves you option 1.

    • ecoJV on 10/03/2016 - 21:01

      The posts I read suggested getting ethically creative in whether you tell the health fund upfront, then negotiate a waiver on all waiting periods.
      Decisions decisions.

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 10/03/2016 - 21:03
        +3

        Health funds will not waiver all waiting periods - the most you will get is the 2 & 6 month waiting periods waived. The 12 month waiting period is always enforced, remember they are insurance companies in the business of making money … not giving it out! Also, it's not about whether you tell them or not, major dental work has a straight out 12 month waiting period.

  • chumlee on 10/03/2016 - 21:01
    +1

    If you want the tooth out cheaply go to a bikie club house and push over a heap of motorcycles then give it a minute or so and you should have your tooth on the ground ready to retrieve.

    • ecoJV on 10/03/2016 - 21:02

      How do you think I got this broken tooth in the first place !

      Edit: I better put here that this is meant as a humorous reply to a humorous post. My broken tooth is not self inflicted as far as I can tell.

  • ecoJV on 10/03/2016 - 21:22
    -3

    Anyone ever get a 12 month waiting period from a health fund waived for any reason whatsoever ?

    • Maverick-au on 10/03/2016 - 21:34

      Anyone ever get a 12 month waiting period from a health fund waived for any reason whatsoever ?

      You are talking about committing fraud, they will not waive the waiting period anyway and the dentist will not lie about when they started treatment (yes the insurance will look into this - they are not stupid). You will also not get back the full amount for major dental anyway. Next time take out insurance in advance. What you have asked shows a total lack of morals and one of the reasons why insurance is expensive for those that do the right thing.

      • tj101 on 10/03/2016 - 21:40

        ecoJV never said he would lie or commit fraud- insurance companies know that people sign up with waived waiting periods so they can get free glasses and the like- they make their money back in the long term. Insurance is expensive because treatment is expensive, and companies are there to make profit.

        • Maverick-au on 11/03/2016 - 01:15

          ecoJV never said he would lie or commit fraud- insurance companies know that people sign up with waived waiting periods so they can get free glasses and the like- they make their money back in the long term. Insurance is expensive because treatment is expensive, and companies are there to make profit.

          What part of ethically creative and negotiating a waiver didn't you read?

          "The posts I read suggested getting ethically creative in whether you tell the health fund upfront, then negotiate a waiver on all waiting periods.
          Decisions decisions."

  • tj101 on 10/03/2016 - 21:37
    +1

    Get quotes- dentists can charge very variable amounts for crowns ect. You might be able to get a loan like a NILS loan from a charity group or pay for it in instalments. I've never heard of 12 month waiting periods being waived, and yes crowns are major dental and have 12 months waiting unfortunately. This is why we need dental on medicare but no one wants to pay an extra few hundred a year in tax, even though they'd get free dental.

  • jenki on 11/03/2016 - 00:02
    +1

    If your tooth is cracked, a root canal and crown may not solve the issue as there is severe damage to the actual tooth structure.

    As others have stated - root canal and a crown is not a final solution anyway. Crowns have a lifespan of 10 -15 years.

    Personally I would have the tooth removed. It sounds like your tooth has difficult roots and/or is badly decayed and broken (hence why they stated a specialist would need to perform the extraction). But definitely ask them the consequences of tooth extraction (e.g. other tooth movement).

    Good luck :)

  • Randxyz123 on 11/03/2016 - 00:32
    +1

    This is what private health insurance is for… There is no way you could join a health fund with your pre-existing condition.

    Go with option 2 or 3 and discuss your financial situation with your dentist… They might let you pay by installments.

    Otherwise do you have a job? Can you take out a loan?

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 11/03/2016 - 22:08

      You can join a health fund with a pre-existing condition, just don't expected to be covered for it in the first 12 months.

      • Randxyz123 on 11/03/2016 - 23:46

        Sorry yes you are correct. That is what I meant that you can by all means join but you can't submit a claim next week…

  • boccos on 11/03/2016 - 08:06

    You can live with a tooth that is broken, chipped etc. But you cannot live with an absess which usually at or near the base of one of the tooth roots. This is most likely what you have. Once you get the infection of the root treated and this can be a longish process as the blood supply to the roots is very small so the antibiotics which are carried by the blood only deliver minute amounts.

    When the pain is under control, I suggest having a dentist smooth-over any sharp edges. Then the secret is to keep bacteria from getting below the gum line. To do this, use a mouth wash regulary.

    By the way, you can usually know where the absess is by feeling somenting about the size of a grain of sand under the skin around the tooth base. Some of mine (sand grains) heal but never go away as they end up as scar tissue.

  • StuffnStuff on 11/03/2016 - 09:01

    Re "for approx $50/mo for extras only cover I could get $1950 in major dental rebates with a $500 excess"….just bear in mind that most procedures have multiple item numbers. Health funds generally will only pay out a percentage per item number. ie if your total procedure costs $1950 you will probably only get back around $975. I have $2500 major dental cover on my Bupa policy, my crown cost me $1800, I was refunded $900.

  • Peck on 11/03/2016 - 09:29

    ecoJV change your setting to allow private messaging and message me.

  • Chickin on 11/03/2016 - 09:46

    Sorry to hear you broke your tooth. I broke one of my front teeth a couple of tears ago, and just wanted to let you know that the price that they quoted me for the implant did not include the actual cost of the crown, which was an additional 3K.
    I got a dry socket after extraction due to a bad infection of the root.. So I would highly recommend a scale and clean before the extraction if you can afford it. There is a mouth wash called Curasep which is also very good at reducing the bacterial population in your mouth, so I would recommend using that prior to your extraction. (Dry socket was hell).
    If your tooth is cracked below the gum line, option 2 is unlikely to be successful. Another option you might have is removing the tooth and filling the extraction site with bone graft. The walls of the bone holding your tooth in will collapse after the tooth is removed and more bone will dissolve over time, meaning they may need to do a bone graft later to ensure that they have something to put the dental implant into. This would save you an additional operation later on if you decided to hold off with the implant for a couple of years.
    Good luck with whichever option you choose!

  • WT on 11/03/2016 - 11:29

    I was told ahm have 6 months waiting, might be worth checking into

    • resubaehtgnolhcs on 11/03/2016 - 22:13

      6 months is only for general dental work - or what AHM call routine dental. Major dental work (like extractions, crowns, bridges etc) always have a 12 month waiting period, regardless of which health fund provider you use.

  • farknos on 11/03/2016 - 12:40
    +1

    i had the same sales pitch/scare tactic from my Mercedes driving dentist 19 years ago when he removed my second tooth from the back of my mouth.
    its going to make your other teeth fall over, its going to effect the way you chew/bite, its going to effect your smile.
    in all fairness to my dentist its only been 19 years and i could live another 20 or 30 if i am lucky so i may be a bit cocky a bit early, but so far so good.
    its just a fang, rip it out and move on.

  • Ocean on 11/03/2016 - 22:12

    Options:

    a) go castaway on that tooth https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Zy0o5z1_c

    b) take a holiday to SE Asia and get it fixed cheap good nice

    c) just harden the https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y up

  • Jeeves48 on 12/03/2016 - 07:26

    From what you describe the tooth has a very questionable life expectancy. Get it out. You will have at least 4 months wait before any fancy work.
    Life goes on without the tooth. You are not burning bridges for any future implants/bridgework. And yes, I am a Dentist.

  • Dr Prepper on 22/03/2016 - 23:20

    I heard someone on the radio talk about the cheap/free program below:

    https://www.csu.edu.au/dental-clinic/services

    • Peck on 23/03/2016 - 04:48

      I knew a dentist who taught at Uni. he told horror stories of the 'butchery' that students did on patients

      • Dr Prepper on 23/03/2016 - 22:19

        Bonus maybe they'll also give you a meat tray

        • Peck on 24/03/2016 - 02:35

          He He good one!!!

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