What is a reasonable price?

Am I getting a reasonable price? What else can I do?

• I went to a dentist twice last year since our dental expenses are covered by our company's HMO. The first dentist had my whole set of teeth cleaned, or oral prophylaxis, and then she made some temporary pasta (i don't know if this is an english term but this is what we call it which basically refers to a tooth being drilled and was placed with some covering to prevent further damage on the tooth). Those temporary pasta(s) made my teeth very sensitive to cold or heat. I didn't really bother me until such time my teeth started to ache one after the other. I can see that the temporary pasta were already starting to diminish so I opted to go to another dentist. She did two permanent pasta(s) on my teeth and she said that there are 4 more other teeth that needs permanent pasta too. Just a question. Are there some dentists that makes more dents on your teeth just to get more money from you or from your supporting health-care provider? Now she wants to have one of my tooth undergo a root canal operation for 6,000 php. That's 125$ for root canal, is that something reasonable? And also for the 3rd Molar tooth, she would charge 1300php or approx. 30$. Include to that the remaining 4 pasta(s) left for 400php each or about 10$ each. Sigh. I wish I could go back to our hometown and have my teeth done there because it's way cheaper compare here in the city. Am I getting a reasonable price? What else can I do? Thanks in advance for any advice... I am poor, hope you'd understand..

• Answer:

  Dentists don't make "extra holes" to charge more money. The other dentist could have missed those cavities, especially if he did a limited and not a full exam. The temp filling doesn't last too long, remember they're temporary. As for the prices, that's very reasonable. Root canals can be over $1000 (without ins) depending on the tooth. The molars are more expensive b/c they have more roots/canals. Ask the dentist to do the work that absolutely needs to be done 1st and work your way down the list. Sometimes small cavities can wait, not too long though, while the more severe issues need to be dealt with, ie - root canal. If you do the root canal you'll also need a crown on it after words. Most insurance companies will only pay a certain amount a yr to the dentist. I'd get a pre- estimate from your ins co before starting any work, especially since money is so tight. You could end up having a huge bill at the dentist if not. Good luck, hope this helps.