Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Reise-ohne-Ende]

So I finally went to the dentist after about 8 months. They said I need 2 'full nerve treatments' and 8 'partial treatments', which I assume means 2 root canals and 8 cavities. It seems like a ridiculous amount, but whatever, apparently that's normal here for them to find like ten times more cavities.

Anyway, I've now been to the dentist 5 times in two weeks.

#1 - cleaning ('scaling'), inspection
#2 - root canal, fill with white stuff
#3, 4, 5 - drill out old white stuff, fill with new white stuff

Like. What is this white putty stuff? Tastes kind of like cinnamon. But I'm getting sick of going back in eight thousand times to get the same thing done. There's no way Korean businessmen can be running in and out of the dentist three times a week. And I hate to think I have to go back this many times for the other tooth, plus deal with 8 cavities. -_-;

Anyone have any experience?

[crossmr]

You've got a dentist doing the old fashioned root canal. It used to take 2 or 3 visits to finish a root canal. With more advanced techniques it can be done in a single visit. When I had one in Canada the guy produced the new tooth right there on a machine. They're putting a temporary putty in the hole until the root canal is finished.

[Riker]

Agreed. I had an endodontist do a root canal in the states in one visit. I had to visit my regular dentist at my convenience to get the crown put on. I assume that was because I got fitted in the same day at the endodontist. Don't think he had time to finish the whole thing.


You definitely want to see an endodontist for a root canal. Trust me.

[tideout]

I just went into Columbia in Itaewon with what I felt like was one problem tooth. After my second visit they had me on a "dental health care plan" which coincidentally included a lot more work....

Any experiences with Columbia or getting upsold to more dental work here?

The issue I went into there about was a crown (quoted 350,000 Won)

Any thoughts are appreciated

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[West Coast Tatterdemalion]

There probably isn't a dentist around that is completely honest. I'm sure that they recommend work that is unnecessary(like pushing the whole teeth whitening thing on everyone). As I said before, my experiences with Columbia were good. They pretty much explained what needed to be done, showed me the problem areas on the x-rays and did a good job because I haven't had any problems since. I am quite satisfied with their work. At the end of the day, nobody forces you to get dental work. If you don't feel like they are being honest with you, either don't get it done or go for a 2nd opinion. But I will always give Columbia a good recommendation because of the good quality of their work and their great staff.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[whitestboyalive]

Last time I was back home, the dental assistant warned me about going to the dentist in Korea. She said at a seminar they had discussed dental practice in South Korea and it was perceived as very, very bad. I question that a bit, as I find most medical related things here actually quite good. She wasn't trying to keep me as a customer, as I was getting the work done in a city I didn't live in and would never return anyways.

So, just saying what I heard from a dental professional in Canada.

[Ruthdes]

Heh, I just had a check up and clean a few weeks ago in Korea. The dentist said that I needed a filling. I am now back in Oz for a vacation, and went to my dentist here to double-check. He said that there is absolutely nothing where she said I needed a filling, but there were a couple of other possibly suspect spots that she didn't mention at all. If you find a dentist you like and trust in Korea, stick with him or her. I've heard quite a few stories of people having a lot of work done on their return home to repair the botched Korean job.