Recommend Auckland dental surgeon?

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tardtasticx

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#141031 27-Feb-2014 16:23

My wisdom teeth are causing me trouble, mainly my bottom right now which is now infected. My dentist wants me to have them all taken out as they will cause problems eventually. He suggested just doing it under sedation in his office, but I'm freaked out at the thought of bone drilling and cutting etc and would rather not.

I asked about general anaesthetic, he said he doesn't do that.

My GP recommended me to someone who charges 4-5K for the procedure. I have family members helping me out as I study full time, have no savings or health insurance. So I still want to keep cost down if possible.

Do you have any recommendations for a dental surgeon in Auckland to do this? I have absolutely no idea where to start looking, as the one recommended by my GP is the only person I spoke to, and my dentist hasn't gotten back to me with a referral.

Price isn't my biggest most definite concern right now, its more quality of work obviously. Availability would also be taken into account as I want this done ASAP, as uni has just started back so if I can get it done before projects are due that would be fab.

Many thanks,
Sam

Kyanar

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#995613 27-Feb-2014 16:38

I had a wisdom tooth removed for $350 by Lumino - they just gave me the injection and then pried out the tooth with a flat blade like thing - no cutting needed. Took 20 minutes, healed up nicely in a couple of days. They even said after looking at the Xray that it was an interesting case because the root of my tooth had actually pushed in on an angle and was almost caught like a fish hook.

I'd go in and see someone like them and get them to do an Xray (will cost you about $50 for that) and see what they say.

Lazarui

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#995692 27-Feb-2014 17:58

Was under, cost 1.2K for two tooth removal, it also depends on what exactly is wrong, yeah it can be removed if you're just under a general anystetic it's cheaper yes but if your wisdom where like mine They would not be able to just 'pop' the tooth out cause of how it was growing you most denistest would probably want to put you under for work like that.

insane

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#995709 27-Feb-2014 18:24

I had 4 surgically removed 18 months ago at 'North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons' in Takapuna. Had no swelling or bruising at all. Think it came to around $3500, all paid by my medical insurance.

My wife then got two taken out maybe a year ago there too, we both were operated on by Dr Han Choi with no complains what so ever. His practice partner is actually far far more experienced so I can only assume he's even better.

alasta

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#995821 27-Feb-2014 21:23

If you're going to have a general anaesthetic then you won't get any cheaper than the ~$4k that you've been quoted because only about a third of that cost will be for the surgery itself, with the rest covering hospital and anaesthetist fees. That's why having it done with IV sedation will be much, much cheaper than a GA.

My wisdom teeth were an absolute mess so to me a GA was the only option even though the oral surgeon said it could have been done under IV sedation as a borderline case - I just wasn't willing to put myself through that. I have a couple of teeth now impacted in the front of my mouth, and those look like they'll hopefully come out fairly easily under IV sedation.

I think you need to have a frank discussion with an oral surgeon about the complexity of your particular case and whether you would be likely to experience any discomfort if you were to go with IV sedation rather than a GA. If you or your surgeon are uncomfortable doing the job under sedation then you will just have to bear the cost of having a GA.

tardtasticx

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#996941 1-Mar-2014 11:35

insane: I had 4 surgically removed 18 months ago at 'North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons' in Takapuna. Had no swelling or bruising at all. Think it came to around $3500, all paid by my medical insurance.

My wife then got two taken out maybe a year ago there too, we both were operated on by Dr Han Choi with no complains what so ever. His practice partner is actually far far more experienced so I can only assume he's even better.

Thanks for that, I gave them a ring and they were a very nice bunch of people there. Said it would be around 4K but could change obviously if there are complications etc. Was about to book with them but they're flat out until the end of the month unfortunately.

Much appreciated though :)

Have an appointment with one in Manukau which does free consultations and wouldn't quote over phone, so why not try it out. Will go from there.

Batman

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#996950 1-Mar-2014 11:56

If no need to cut much gum and no bone to get to lower ones you don't need a GA. I had mine with local only it was awesome. Didn't even feel the injections

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tardtasticx

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#996954 1-Mar-2014 12:07

joker97: If no need to cut much gum and no bone to get to lower ones you don't need a GA. I had mine with local only it was awesome. Didn't even feel the injections

Some of the top ones do need a bit of cutting and stuff apparently. They'll give me a better idea before the op I assume when I find the place I wanna go with. I have asked if I could just get it taken out but they said they highly advise against it. Even just the one that's causing me issues. Rather annoying as I would deffo have done that if it were simple like other teeth to come out. .

Buzz Bumble

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#996960 1-Mar-2014 12:33

I don't know if they do something this "major", but the School of Dentistry does have free / cheap dental work ... as long as you don't mind students (supervised of course) doing the work. :-)

mattwnz

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#997019 1-Mar-2014 13:43

Is it covered by insurance? When I had it done a few years ago, it was about 2k with oral sedation. All 4 were removed and mine were impacted so weren't easy. They ask you first iif it o's going to be covered by insurance before they give you a price, at least they did for me, so maybe they they charge less if you are paying cash as less admin and no waiting to be paid. Don't be concerned about oral sedation, as you are pretty much out of it anyway

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#997033 1-Mar-2014 13:52

it's like getting so drunk the night before that you have no idea the morning after

bazzer

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#999577 5-Mar-2014 16:01

I had all four of mine smashed out under sedation. I was so relaxed I went to sleep. I woke up during it but I didn't really care what he was doing (he had a bunch of tools in my mouth) and went back to sleep.

Honestly, sedation is good. The comedown wasn't great but as long as you have good people around you, it's all good.

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Buzz Bumble

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#999671 5-Mar-2014 18:43

I have never had any wisdom teeth out ... not sure if that means I'm still wise or was not wise enough to have them in the first place. ;-)

tardtasticx

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#1000252 6-Mar-2014 16:27

Done. Booked for next week with Chris Sealey at Ormiston Hospital. Found out he was actually the same guy who operated on me a few years ago to remove a saliva gland that was busted up. I'm still alive and it didnt have any issues so that sealed the deal for us. Quoted 5-6K so far which may go up but not by much. Surgeon costs alone was just shy of 2K.

On a side note, must look at health insurance :) who are y'all with?

Thanks for the replies too btw, good to see success stories. It will be done under full general anaesthetic (going to sleep completely) as recommended by parents and other family who had it done. Only part that concerns me is the nerve running through the jaw. Apparently it can be damaged if the root is too long. He says I shouldn't have a problem, if I do it will most likely just be bruising which will clear. Have any of you experienced this?

wasabi2k

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#1000261 6-Mar-2014 16:36

Southern Cross - WellBeing Two plan for my, wife and kids.

Does not cover regular GP, dentist etc but covers a lot of surgery/imaging costs. Had 2 wisdom teeth out at Lumino a few years back - all covered, no complaints. Have claimed around 10k over the last 2-3 years between my wife and I.

The cover for GP/dentist can be very expensive, depending on how often you go.

As usual, get advice from a qualified insurance broker.

Regarding nerve damage - yes it is a possibility, your oral surgeon knows what they're doing and will do the best job possible. Nothing more you can do about the risk and the teeth have to come out - so stop worrying about something you can't change. My dentist also said risk is really low.