Tali, like Olive said, you can get that one tooth bleached. The dentist will drill a hole in the back of the tooth (no needle as the tooth is already root filled!), insert the bleach and put a temporary filling in it. You usually need a couple of changes to the bleach (quick and easy appointments) and when you're happy with the shade the dentist puts a permanent filling in. I worked as a dental nurse years ago and I can't remember the cost, but I know it wasn't terribly expensive. Some people get a better result than others to the bleach, but you should definitely see some improvement. If you are still not happy with the appearance you could consider a composite or porcelain veneer for the tooth. I'd definitely try the bleaching first though! You definitely made the right decision keeping the tooth and having the root canal - extractions can lead to all sorts of dramas, particularly front teeth!!
Check on the waiting period for your private health insurance, I think you can claim for dental after 2 months (if he can hang on that long!)
Also shop around, sometimes you can get deals where if you sign up they will waive some waiting periods which will usually include dental.
As for a dentist, I see you are in Armadale. Just down the road in Malvern, on Station Street off Glenferrie Road, is Mint Dental and they are excellent. I saw Marianne Kagiaros when I was living there but she only works part time so can be a bit hard to get into...but I'm sure anyone else there would be just the same.
ETA: You don't have to have PHI to go to a dentist, but you'd have to cough up the full amount at the time of treatment.
Curly's right you need to check the waiting period, but also check whtehr it will fall under general dental or major dental.
I think this depends on whether its a normal dentist or an endodontist who does the RC
Also depending on the level of cover you have, your insurance may not cover as much as you imagine.
We had the second top extras coverage (with Australian Unity) and DHs molar root canal still cost over $600 (with a general dentist)- then they said they couldnt save it and extracted it anyway!!
The out of pocket costs I was quoted for an endodontist, albeit an extrememly good one, was about $1500 + a crown which is about another $1000
ETA: Ive just realised that probably doesnt help you a lot.
The % of the total cost that we got back was less than 20%
Just had one finished and am about to start the next. First was a front tooth - was $1400 + more if it isn't straightforward. The second is a rear tooth and the cost is going to start from $2400 + more if it needs more done. It cost me $200 for the inital assessment where they checked the teeth and quoted the work - it was with a specialist however (got a referral from my regular dentist).
Mine don't include permanent fillings or crowns, I am going back to my normal dentist for those
Last edited by misty; April 9th, 2010 at 04:24 PM.
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