Yesterday I made an appointment to see a new (to me)  dentist today (I
asked for an "ASAP" appointment), and after a 30-minute visit
(including one small xray of my upper rear teeth)
the bill came to $130.   I didn't read the bill until after I left, but
it had 3 items:
(1) x-ray:  about $24
(2) "comprehensive exam" $55
(3) "pulp vitality test"  $51

As far as i know, #3 was never done.   Maybe you can enlighten me on
this though.   First of all, I saw her because for the past 4 days my
upper rear molar has been very painfully sensitive to cold, with some
spontaneoius dull aching about 30% of the day (thoughlow doeses of
aspirin takes care of the pain so far).   So, at the office today I
told her i was only about 80% sure what tooth was causing the pain, she
did a few tiests on all teeth in that general area (1)
trapping/touching  then (2) applying cold.    After determining which
tooth it is, she took an xray.  At some point she also had me biting on
a hard thing to get any evidence of cracks (which she didn't see in the
xray).  After a few minutes of studying the xray, she initially said i
should try a temp crown and see if that helps...then permanent.   Upon
studying the xray more, she said she sees a probable lesion (though
"hard to see"),  with a "ligament" that seems to have moved away a
little (from a spot of bacteria, perhaps)  (?? maybe i'm garbling what
she said, but she did say irreversible pulp damage or pulpitis).....and
she now definitely thinks i should get get a root canal, and skip the
temp crown.  She said there was no urgency for treatment AT ALL
(assumiing I can control the pain, and that waiting a month or more
wouldn't be a problem).   Then we chatted for about 10 minutes about
general dental issues, etc.....and the bill came to $130.   So there
was no "pulp vitality test", right?     I'd like to hear what the
dentists here think is a fair price,  and what I can expect to pay when
I go for a second opinion and bring my xray.   And, of course, i'd love
to get your dental opinion on the diagnosis and treatment.    For the
non-dentists,  what is your experience with similar consulation costs?