Does a dentist have to inform you of price before you have a service done?

I called the dentist office & asked how much it would be to fill a tooth...I was told 200.00 maybe a little more...there were 2 teeth filled....the bill came to $1197.00......is that not a little MUCH??? Help me out here!

When you are back in the dentist chair, the dentist is concerned about your teeth and not so much your wallet. In the middle of a filling, the decay can go to the nerve in a hurry and then you are in to a root canal and a crown(crap) They(the dr and assistant) should stop and go over an informed consent for the root canal but sometimes there is not a good place to stop so you find out the cost at the front desk after the procedure is done(not fun for the front desk person, I can testify to that!!!) Next time, to avoid being surprised, be clear when you make an appointment and when you check in with the front desk, that you want to know the cost before hand - they will make a note and take extra care that you are informed. I'm sorry this happened to you.

When you called the dental office, you usually talk with the receptionist. She gave you a "guesstimate". You should have discussed with the dentist before he began about the treatment plan and cost. Since this was so expensive, he must have done something more than fillings. Did they give you an itemized statement?????

Usually, if you get work done from a dentist without insurance, the dentist will quote you a price. He or she will write out an estimate for you. Don't rely on the receptionist.

But, $1197.00 is ridiculous for 2 fillings. They must have done something else. Maybe some type of crown. I think a filling should be about a couple hundred bucks. A crown, maybe 700 bucks. So, maybe your dentist had to put a crown on one of your teeth.

Call them up, explain what happened. And find out exactly what they did. An itemized bill. And if it is 2 fillings, ***** and refuse to pay.

I agree w/ joeys answer. ITs wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too expensive for tooth filling. By any chance, did dentist use gold for filling ?? or did they set do a crown replacement?
Pls. go back to the office or call them up and ask for an explanation.