Any Dentists Here? Correct Item Number (s) ?

team teri on 06/03/2019 - 11:08

I went to the dentist yesterday. 2 of my lower front teeth had been shrinking over the years due to bruxism, it was time to do something to protect them.

The dentist cleaned the affected top surface of the teeth - no drilling, it felt like sand-blasting, especially when it hit my tongue. Then he applied several layers of material to end up with a tooth coloured 'filling' on top of the tooth. Finally he polished it back to minimise interference when closing the mouth.

All that went as expected and took between 30 and 35 minutes all up for 2 teeth.

The unexpected happened when I got the bill for his services.

Basically as I understand it fillings are charged 'per surface', the more the higher the price. How many surfaces to add something to the top of a tooth? Any other items that would be expected in addition?

What item number(s) should the bill have contained?

Health & Beauty Dental

Comments

  • QW3RTY on 06/03/2019 - 11:22
    +1

    Found this.

    For front teeth, these are the facial, lingual, incisal, mesial and distal surfaces.

    What surfaces did you receive the filling to?

    • team teri on 06/03/2019 - 11:26

      The 'filling' was placed on top of the incisal surface. Since it extends that surface upwards by 1mm, the filling has other surfaces too.

      So yeah, the question comes down to whether the number for the invoice is calculated by how many tooth surfaces are affected or by how many surfaces the filling itself has.

  • EightImmortals on 06/03/2019 - 11:33
    +2

    So how much was the bill, if we knew that we might have more of an idea as to whether is was out of the ordinary or not?

    • team teri on 06/03/2019 - 11:38

      His prices for each item are within the range given in QW3RTY's link. Dentists vary depending on location and quality, I have no problem with that.

      The question really is whether the correct item number(s) were used.

      • Kangal on 06/03/2019 - 11:39
        +2

        I guess the dentist is one of those things people later realise: crap I should've brushed my teeth and saved my OzMoney!

      • EightImmortals on 06/03/2019 - 11:43
        +1

        Fair enough. So have you raised this question with the dentists receptionist?

        BTW my dentists usually gives me a 'treatment plan' with any needed work on it plus the costs up front so I know what's going on before the appointment. Don't they all do that?

      • Gunther on 06/03/2019 - 11:46
        +2

        QW3RTY's link looks like its from the USA.

        Here is some Australian data that is very helpful (although 2015)
        https://www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/whatiscover…

  • Tech5 on 06/03/2019 - 14:27
    +3

    If the incisal edge of a front tooth was built up, then it can up to 5 surfaces. It is charged based on which surfaces or directions of the tooth that the filling reached. So if it extended the length, it would be all 5 sides and therefore would be a 525. Additionally, if it reaches the corner, a 578 can be charged. So it is possible for you to be charged 2x 525 and 4x 578 for 2 teeth.

    It is also possible to charge it as a 521-524 (1-4 surface) with or without the 578's but the dentist is not obligated to do so. By technicality it is undercharging, but the dentist may use a cheaper code if they feel it was a really simple job. Really depends on size of fill and your relationship with them

    You may also be charged 013 or 011 for the consult/exam.

    • team teri on 06/03/2019 - 16:25
      +1

      That's a very good reply, thank you so much :-)

      Yeah, what threw me is that in addition to the filling I also found the 578s on my bill. In a way that's doubling up, isn't it? If the corners are charged separately, in my books that leaves at most a 523 for the filling in between.

      It all was a 30 to 35 minute job and added (after polishing back surplus materials) perhaps a little over 1mm to the teeth. Would that qualify as 'really simple job'?

      I've been a pretty good customer of his over the last 9 years, the only thing he does find annoying is that I will only do one check-up and clean a year, not 2 as he would prefer.

      He gave a discount off his bill, but it still worked out a lot more than 2x 521 would have been - which are the items I would have expected to be billed.

      • Tech5 on 06/03/2019 - 16:38
        +1

        No unfortunately not doubling up. The fee schedule set by ADA here:

        https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Publications/Schedule-and-Glossary/The-Australian-Schedule-of-Dental-Services-and-(1)/Australian_Schedule_and_Dental_Glossary_2015_FA2_W.aspx

        Clearly describes the 578 as an item number in addition to the restorative number. It is used this way by all dentists. It is mainly because it is possible to have a 525 without actually restoring an entire corner. It would be a lot easier as it is basically filling in the gaps. If you have to restore an incisal corner, you basically need to sculpt the entire shape yourself.

        In terms of reducing the item number, I guess it is the prerogative of the dentist. Although a quote should have been given before treatment was done.

        • team teri on 06/03/2019 - 17:04

          Thanks again.

          Yes, that's what I'll take from it for the future: ask for a quote first.

          I'm very happy with the quality of his work. It just seems a bit that now with all the bigger things out of the way he's a tad too keen to find additional work that can be done - whether essential or just nice to have.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2019 - 17:26

    I can't show you my face but

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