Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dodge7]

Unless you like pain!
First why does it take 4-5 trips to the dentist to finish a root canal.. I had one in America but it was finished in an hour.
I first time I went he gave me novacaine, the subsequent trips he said it would be done without. He has struck a nerve everytime since and the pain shot right down to my feet! I asked why no navacaine and he said that it is standard practice to not give it--besides the first time. I say it's BS.
This is the worst dental experience I've ever had.
Is this practice normal? Depriving patients novacaine for doing root canals? And to drag the whole hellish experience out for 4-5 times to complete?

[rowdie3]

I have been to Korean dentists three times. All were terrible. All painful. All tried to rip me off. If you can, avoid them completely and wait till you visit your home country.

If you can't, go to one of the ones in Hannam dong that advertise to foreigners or ask friends to recommend one that that they had a good experience with.

I was told a root canal would take 4-5 visits here and that I needed three of them. My home dentist in Canada told me that I had no need for root canals whatsoever.

Avoid!

[andrewchon]

Since root canal removes the (dead) nerve connections, you don't need anaesthetic afterwards. I've have root canal done in Korea. It takes several trips because they need to make sure no infection took place. Sounds like your American quack gave you an improper treatment and you have chosen to remember it as a good thing since the horror ended so quickly. Back to soju Dodge buddy, that's the only friend we have.

[cj1976]

I've had two done here and had no problems. I did feel a little jolt of pain on the 2nd visit when he was digging about in there, but I took it like the hard man that I am.
Compared to the dentists back in the UK, this one was swift, efficient and significantly cheaper. I had a root canal done there and it cost me �700. Here it was 350k including a ceramic crown, and much prettier nurses to to talk to. Can't argue with that..

[nora]

My father had a few done before in the states and I think he went in once for one, and twice for the other.

I think Korean dentists have their act together, but considering the number of fillings and fake teeth I see here, they aren't any better than US docs.

Never had a root canal done, but fillings in the states. In and out in about 10-20 minutes usually (small fillings) on a single trip. My friends here have had work done and said it takes two or three trips on FILLINGS.

It's definitely buyer beware here!

[pegasus64128]

I'm sorry but my experiences of Korean dentistry are the opposite to what you report.

I found them to be:

� reasonably priced
� covered by my insurance (for the most part)
� decent quality

I've had root canals and other dental operations carried out here.

[pegasus64128]

[Dodge7]

[highstreet]

I've had one root canal done here and two in the states.

They all hurt like hell

[edwardcatflap]

had 2 done here, both painless, though it's sometimes the anticipation of pain that's worse than the actual pain. When the dental hygienist 'cleaned' my teeth with various metal implements, it hurt a lot more.

[FMPJ]

[alljokingaside]

Insurance- yeah. Like $20 compared to damn near a thousand?

In terms of comfort, I felt minimal discomfort, though it does depend on the person. A few trips aren't Necessary, but are a good idea, since residual tissue might remain. Though unpleasant and a hassle, the extra trips do make sure that it was done in "one shot." Or, that any remnants are taken care of

[luckylady]

I've had 4 -

1 at Chonbuck Uni which was a recurring infection, then it did take several visits (don't recall) but healed fine, don't recall excessive pain at all.

the other 3 were done all in one afternoon - at the same time - for cosmetic reasons (caps) so no return visits, except for the other part -

those were at Yonsei Dental Hospital, also very good, highly recommended.

but there are bad dentists here, no doubt, just like anywhere else. you have to talk to them first, make sure you trust them, before letting them work on you. it's always hard to find a good dentist, there has to be a certain rapport between the patient and dr.

it's unfortunate you had such a bad experience, but seriously, Korean dentists are for the most part, top notch

[Troglodyte]

I think that among dentists worldwide (not just in Korea) there is debate over single vs multi visits for a root canal. I think that it depends on more than one factor. In America, until recently, the norm was to have 2 or more visits. For some dentists, this is still considered preferable.

[pegasus64128]