I had a breathtaking quote for dental work - is this a reasonable price?

[Annie364]

I had a quote for some dental work which was:
white onlay on a back molar - £1850
Cast needed to make the onlay - £800
The total being £2,650 for a white onlay on a back tooth.
There is nothing special about the tooth that makes it difficult to treat. I have a normal mouth, nothing out of the ordinary.
This price was breathtaking for me. It is in England, not in London.
Is this reasonable?

 

[letsconnect]

Are you trying to lure @Gordon out of retirement???

That fee is probably the highest I've ever come across for an onlay. I've also never heard of the cast needed to make an indirect restoration being charged separately (in the UK at least). But I suppose you learn something new every day!

Prices in the £1200-£1600 range for an onlay or a crown are not out of the ordinary these days (in upmarket practices in wealthy parts of the country), but £2650 does seem incredibly steep to me... not that I'm an expert on dental fees.

P.S. not sure if this is of any use to you, but when the fees at my dental practice shot up recently, I found that my dentist also works at another practice where the fees are a lot lower, so I switched... if it's not the practice owner, maybe you could check if they work elsewhere as well?

 

[Annie364]

Thank you letsconnect - now that you mention it, yes, I'd like to lure Gordon out of retirement!

They said the cast would also be used to make a mouth guard, but there would be a fee for the mouth guard on top of the cast fee. I was quoted "from £830" for a michigan splint.

I was told the cast of the whole mouth would be taken, and then as a second step they would make a wax impression from the cast, so that the onlay shape could be designed for making the bite fit. I suppose I would have thought that doing this would be standard for all onlays rather than a special step to be charged extra for.

That's very helpful to hear my shock was justified - the prices are way too much for me and I will be finding someone else.

That's a great tip thank you, I will bear it in mind for future dentists.

 

[Gordon]

I don't usually comment on money questions, I'm far too out of touch. You really don't want me back in practice after this length of time... eek!

 

[Annie364]

 

[comfortdentist]

Gordon is right. 1850 pounds is a high fee. Not crazy for NY but rather high reasonable for good quality in $ not pounds.

 

[comfortdentist]

And to the moderator as a dentist who has specialized in treating medically complex, complex dentistry, special needs dentistry and especially treating dental phobics this need for control is why I dropped out.

 

[letsconnect]

All good, you should be able to post now

 

[Annie364]

Many thanks @comfortdentist, that's very helpful to know it is indeed a high fee!