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View Full Version : $737 too much for teeth cleaning?



e36bmw///
09-21-2011, 10:33 PM
nm

Lex350
09-21-2011, 11:16 PM
That's quite high compared to my dentist

Fcuk
09-21-2011, 11:20 PM
I'll attempt estimating:

X-ray = 200$
Bone density test 80-100$
Teeth whitening 100-150$

I say 500$ is max but they can charge whatever they please.


Solution:

Ask reception for a price breakdown. Go to other dental offices and ask what the total estimate would be for the work you had done. If you are not satisfied tell your dentist that you price compared and your switching if they don't give you a better deal

Super_Geo
09-21-2011, 11:22 PM
I paid $450 for a teeth cleaning w/ x-ray.
Sounds like you're getting hosed.

Interesting side note... it was my first visit to this dental office (new job in a new area of town, wanted to find something close to work). The dental hygienist was cute, she did a good job,, etc... but when the dentist came to take a look at my teeth and review the x-rays, the guy was fucking fat as shit! I'm not sure if anyone else has been to Scotia Dental downtown by West Patio, but yeah... the guy is easily 325+lbs. I couldn't get over it, I didn't go back and have gone to a new dentist since. I don't know what it is, but having a really obese guy in the medical profession telling me what I need to do with my health just doesn't work for me... also, he didn't sound very professional.

Mar
09-21-2011, 11:26 PM
They hit me with a $500 bill for a cleaning after having me stand in a machine they flashed on/off a few times.

Apparently the flashing was $75 coming out of my pocket with each switch for the x-rays.

e36bmw///
09-21-2011, 11:37 PM
nm

Mitsu3000gt
09-21-2011, 11:48 PM
Standard cleaning/scaling is ~$285 I believe. That is what I just paid, and that is an amount that is within the normal range so it's 100% covered by most policies.

Not sure about the X-ray part, but I've gotten full head X-rays and everything and the bill hasn't been $700+.

max_boost
09-21-2011, 11:50 PM
That does seem high. Somewhere in the $500 range would seem more reasonable. :dunno:

Mixalot27
09-22-2011, 01:10 AM
I think they usually charge by the amount of time it takes for the cleaning, which is mostly scaling. So if you haven't had a cleaning for several years or you have lots of plaque it will cost more. I usually pay in the $300-$400 range. But one time I didn't get a cleaning for around 3 years and then it cost me around $700 and took a total of around 4 hours.

X-rays can be pricey. I had to get a panoramic one before getting my wisdom teeth out and I believe it cost $125.

Supa Dexta
09-22-2011, 04:31 AM
Just went last week it was $163 I think for a full cleaning and xrays.

With no coverage (I was in NS).

CompletelyNumb
09-22-2011, 05:43 AM
If your teeth were very bad and they had to do extra scaling then it's within normal ranges. Well, on the high side. The bill should have it all broken down for you. Even if it's 100% covered by benefits they have to give you a reciept for their services.

cde1966
09-22-2011, 05:51 AM
If they submitted the bill electronically, you should be able to check the details online with Great West. If they didn't do that and gave you a bill that you paid then two things. 1. you should have all the details and 2. You should go someplace that does submit electronically.

VWEvo
09-22-2011, 06:27 AM
Get a breakdown, that sounds high. As for checking bone density, I have no clue what that is.

ricosuave
09-22-2011, 06:42 AM
not if your name is austin powers...

colinxx235
09-22-2011, 08:37 AM
I payed $270 exactly last night for standard cleaning.

Southcentre/Willow park (?) dentist office

dimi
09-22-2011, 08:51 AM
My clean/scale is $250 and they do a very thorough job. Usually around an hour.

cdnsir
09-22-2011, 09:49 AM
It was around $500 for an annual exam, cleaning, fluoride, and xray for me.

BrknFngrs
09-22-2011, 09:55 AM
I think scaling is charged in "units" of time generally, atleast that's how my dentist bills my insurance company. The price still sounds high, but if scaling took over 2 hours for just your bottom teeth then I suspect quite a few "units" were required to deal with the build up on your teeth.

beecue
09-22-2011, 09:57 AM
Wow, I only pay $30 with coverage for cleaning/scaling and fluoride sometimes.

ringmaster
09-22-2011, 10:43 AM
Originally posted by e36bmw///
I went in for teeth cleaning and came out with a $737 bill, some of which will be covered by Great West Life

However I also had an Xray of my mouth and a procedure that tests bone density? or something like that.

I was there for 2 hours and only the bottom half was done.
I have a second appointment to finish it.

Is that a fair amount? I'm not even sure if this covers the second appointment

:confused:

I JUST had a cleaning done 2 days ago and my bill was $273. That was full mouth with fluoride. Although expensive, I'd say that $737 is reasonable when you factor in X-rays and also that bone density thing. If you have doubts though just find a new dentist.

adidas
09-22-2011, 10:50 AM
In June, i had cleaning and removal of one tooth. Total came to just under $500 including one xray.

When i spoke to my lady friend that has a office in town, she was shocked at the price.

The best part, it all took 45 min, if i knew i could make 500 bux in 45 min, i would of became a dentist.

max_boost
09-22-2011, 11:17 AM
Originally posted by VWEvo
Get a breakdown, that sounds high. As for checking bone density, I have no clue what that is. Listen to this guy. He is a Dr. in the profession.

:D

roopi
09-22-2011, 11:31 AM
Originally posted by VWEvo
Get a breakdown, that sounds high. As for checking bone density, I have no clue what that is.

Possibly checking from brain density to see how much they could charge him without a complaint.

asp integra
09-22-2011, 01:45 PM
im there around an hour,
cleaning, scaling, and took 2 sets of x rays last week and it cost $387

sounds to me like your being taken for a ride

e36bmw///
09-22-2011, 04:48 PM
nm

hollowscar
09-22-2011, 05:03 PM
Shit, I got no insurance or coverage, so cleaning's going to cost me a lot especially since I wear braces. Dentists in this country are loaded without having to relocate like engineers working in oil/gas.

B18C
09-27-2011, 08:48 PM
Originally posted by e36bmw///
So I asked them for a break down today and this is what I can remember

Regular Check up = $70
6 units of scaling $130
X rays = $80
Entire head xray = $92
Cleaning = $345

This doesn't make sense. The 6 units of scaling would be the majority of the cleaning and not separate from it.

canadian_hustla
09-27-2011, 09:54 PM
Originally posted by B18C


This doesn't make sense. The 6 units of scaling would be the majority of the cleaning and not separate from it.

i agree there shouldn't be a distinction between scaling and cleaning.

if anything, it should be broken down as:

xray
scaling
polishing
floride

which reminds me - i got mine done in August (haven't gone to dentist in 2 years) and it was $360.00

bignerd
09-27-2011, 10:48 PM
6 units is a lot of scaling... I think a unit is 10 or 15 minutes of time?

Are they worried about your jaw and the bone density? I would say these are extra tests and they would only be done if there were concerns or issues... you should ask if they are medically necessary. I've only ever had standard xrays done for cleanings and one panoramic one(maybe the full head thing you are talking about) before I had my wisdom teeth pulled.

I think my cleanings/check ups/xrays come out to about $380 ish.

e36bmw///
09-27-2011, 11:06 PM
nm

max_boost
09-28-2011, 11:08 AM
Originally posted by B18C


This doesn't make sense. The 6 units of scaling would be the majority of the cleaning and not separate from it.

Again, listen to this guy. He would know.

:D

B18C
09-28-2011, 03:57 PM
Originally posted by max_boost
That does seem high. Somewhere in the $500 range would seem more reasonable. :dunno:

Interesting. I'll keep this in mind for you next time :D

yellowsnow
09-28-2011, 05:35 PM
i think alberta is one of the only provinces that don't regulate dental charges. Even though my ins coverage is 100%, I can still be charged for 'additional' fees which is any surplus the dental clinic wants to charge... then i have to claim the surplus with my health spending account.

different dentists charge different rates, so i would definately switch dentists and find someone much more reasonable.

cancer man
09-28-2011, 06:43 PM
Bone density test=you got something wrong.
Possible liver or lack of calcium.Are you taking any meds for like
epilepsy?

These tests arn't done just because.. ask questions.