For K-1 Physical must teeth be perfect? Will she fail the physical for a cavity?

[Balamban 113]

My fiancee has a tooth with a significant cavity. It's stayed the same as it was 14 months ago and does not seem to be getting worse (though I am sure it is, slowly). It does not hurt, nor does it seem infected.

Her dentist wants to pull the tooth. My response is a resounding "no." I'd prefer that she come to America where an endodontist may well be able to perform a root canal, if necessary and/or put a crown on it.

Too many Filipino dentists simply have a "pull the tooth" attitude as American dentists did 30 years ago. Well, I had such a dentist when I was 15. He said to me: "Do you want a root canal or shall I pull it?" I said: What's the difference and he said: "Well, I can do a root canal which will hurt but last awhile, and then we'll just pull it later." With that sort of logic I said "pull it." I'm glad today that he's no longer in practice or I'd knock a few of his teeth out.

A pulled tooth will require either a bridge, thus compromising two abutment teeth and shorten the life of those teeth. Leave a space and over the years (as mine did) the tooth tilts forward and creates problems.

So, if there is any chance of saving even the base/root of the tooth I'd prefer that she wait to get it fixed, but if it's a deal-killer, it'll probably have to be pulled unless I can find an endodontist in Cebu City.

A friend of hers told her that if she has a cavity at the medical/physical she will be refused and that her teeth must have no problems, thus setting us back a few months.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

[geowrian 22,338]

No, that's not something they will even check. They are looking for contagious diseases and potentially signs that they are not a risk to themselves or anybody else.

[Balamban 113]

Thanks geowrian.  I just looked through tripadvisor and there seems to be an excellent dentist in Cebu City named Leanette Chu that has multiple recommendations from veteran tripadvisor folk, so maybe I'll send her there.  Developing an abcess while travelling could be a nightmare.  

  Anyone here from Cebu that's dealt with her?

Edited March 28, 2018 by Balamban

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

Dentist are dirt cheap compared to US dentist.  Have the root canal done there.  Many capable dentist in Philippines just do your due diligence.

 

I would say cost is at least 10 to 20 times cheaper in Philippines compared to US Dentist

[Greenbaum 12,260]

6 hours ago, Balamban said:

My fiancee has a tooth with a significant cavity. It's stayed the same as it was 14 months ago and does not seem to be getting worse (though I am sure it is, slowly). It does not hurt, nor does it seem infected.

Her dentist wants to pull the tooth. My response is a resounding "no." I'd prefer that she come to America where an endodontist may well be able to perform a root canal, if necessary and/or put a crown on it.

Too many Filipino dentists simply have a "pull the tooth" attitude as American dentists did 30 years ago. Well, I had such a dentist when I was 15. He said to me: "Do you want a root canal or shall I pull it?" I said: What's the difference and he said: "Well, I can do a root canal which will hurt but last awhile, and then we'll just pull it later." With that sort of logic I said "pull it." I'm glad today that he's no longer in practice or I'd knock a few of his teeth out.

A pulled tooth will require either a bridge, thus compromising two abutment teeth and shorten the life of those teeth. Leave a space and over the years (as mine did) the tooth tilts forward and creates problems.

So, if there is any chance of saving even the base/root of the tooth I'd prefer that she wait to get it fixed, but if it's a deal-killer, it'll probably have to be pulled unless I can find an endodontist in Cebu City.

A friend of hers told her that if she has a cavity at the medical/physical she will be refused and that her teeth must have no problems, thus setting us back a few months.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks
 

In all my years here helping folks I have never heard such a thing as to be denied because of a bad tooth. 

 

It does not have any adverse effect on the passing of the medical. 

[nelmagriffin 156]

Greetings!

 

There are many good dentists in Cebu City or in Manila. I strongly recommend having teeth checked while in Cebu. Most of the Company will only offer up to $1,000.00 a year for Dental Insurance. And root Canal is almost $3,000.00.

Nelma

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

2 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

Dentist are dirt cheap compared to US dentist.  Have the root canal done there.  Many capable dentist in Philippines just do your due diligence.

 

I would say cost is at least 10 to 20 times cheaper in Philippines compared to US Dentist

I agree dentists are cheap over there. I think she can get it done over there for really cheap as well. Just leave the words Going to America or American out of it and it will be fine.

[joglen1210 10]

In the Philippines, I believe they have to ask the dentist to swear first - "to pull the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth" j/k  peace!

[Unidentified 2,930]

Another reason to consider having her go see a dentist there apart from it being cheap is that it can actually cause her pain while flying as air can get trapped in the cavity and air inside an airplane at high altitude the air expands...