Category Archives: Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentist

Can’t Afford Dentist With Infected Wisdom Teeth

What do you do if you have infected wisdom teeth but can’t afford a dentist? I’m in agony. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep.

Vera

Dear Vera,

Woman grabbing her jaw in pain
Don’t Ignore an Infected Tooth Because of Money

I know you’re in a great deal of pain so what I’m saying is in the deepest compassion. You cannot afford NOT to deal with this. This infection will spread. Your heart and your brain are very close to your jaw. If the infection spreads to either, it’s life-threatening and can happen so quickly the medical community may not have time to help.

There are ways to deal with this when you’re broke.

There are affordable dentists and even oral surgeons who will do the work you need and let you pay them out as you’re able. They know how serious this is and will work with you rather than allow you to put your life at risk.

If, for some reason, you can’t find a compassionate dentist in your area. There’s something called Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card which has low and even no-interest payment plans.

Call your doctor and get on some antibiotics. It WILL NOT take care of the infected wisdom teeth. Those need to be extracted. But, it will buy you a little bit of time while you find the care you need. He may even be willing to provide a stronger pain reliever than you can get over-the-counter.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Do Dentists Ever Offer Affordable Porcelain Veneers?

Can you help a gal out? I’ve always been embarrassed about my smile. The two front teeth overlap one another, they’re stained, and two of them are chipped. I’ve been pricing porcelain veneers because I’ve been told they can fix all of those issues at once, but they cost a fortune. Are there dentists who will offer a desperate gal an affordable smile makeover?

Mindy L.

Dollar sign hatched from an egg

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” While it’s not always true, there are certain occasions where it bears more weight. Smile makeovers, especially with porcelain veneers, are one of them. The last thing you want is a slipshod smile. There have been countless smile makeover disasters and I don’t want yours to be one of them.

With that in mind, I want you to ask yourself if it’s more important to you that you improve your smile affordably or to get porcelain veneers affordably? Based on the issues you described, there is a much more affordable way to repair and improve your smile without the high cost of porcelain veneers.

Getting an Affordable Smile Makeover

While veneers are designed for a complete smile makeover, you can get a gorgeous smile without them. Here are three procedures I’m going to recommend to you that combined will still be more affordable for you than what you’re asking for.

  • Invisalign: This straightens your teeth without wire and metal, invisibly. No one will even know you’re wearing them.
  • Teeth whitening: This will take away all the stains that are bothering you. In fact, this alone makes patients look years younger.
  • Dental bonding: Those few chips you mentioned can be easily repaired with dental bonding.

One important thing to note. Make sure you get the teeth whitening done before getting the bonding placed on the chips. You want the bonding material to match your whiter teeth, not your current stained teeth. Also, any visible fillings you have will need to be replaced to match your whitened teeth as well.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Will an Affordable Dentist Help a Minor?

I have a problem. I’m a teenager (13) and still suck my thumb. I’m really embarrassed about it. I don’t want my parents to know but it is making my teeth stick out. The kids at school make fun of me about my teeth. Is there a dentist that won’t charge me too much and would let me come without my parents knowing? I need to find out what to do about my thumb sucking and my teeth. I can pay some. I’ve got a little business I do knitting scarves for people.

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

Child with Pediatric Dentist

I’m so sorry the kids at school are giving you a hard time. I’m even more sorry you feel like you have to deal with this on your own. I wish you felt like you could talk to your parents. I don’t know your situation. Hopefully, there is some trusted adult in your life you feel safe with.

If you don’t feel safe, please tell a teacher or police officer. I also want to commend you on having a business at your age. You sound like a gal who’s going to change the world and I’m very proud of you.

Finding a dentist who’ll work with you financially isn’t a problem. Most would be happy to work with you. The biggest issue is the fact that you’re a minor. Legally, dentists cannot treat you without your parents there. They could lose their license. But, don’t get discouraged yet. I may have a way to help.

Affordable Ways to Stop Thumb Sucking

About any general pharmacy will have a type of clear nail polish designed to help people stop sucking your thumb. It’s not very expensive. You essentially just paint it on your thumb and the taste is so foul that it prevents you from sucking y our thumb.

This will deal with your thumb sucking problem but not your teeth. I’m guessing your parents don’t take you to the dentist regularly. I’d tell them your teeth are bothering you. When your teeth are out of alignment it can lead to migraines and even TMJ problems.

You may do some up front research ahead of time to look for affordable dentists in your area. At your age, you could go to either a pediatric dentist or a general dentist. Many work with Care Credit which is a medical card that can allow you to may payment plans for low and even no-interest.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentist for White Fillings

I’m in need of help. You may think I’m just being vain, but I can’t get my dental insurance to cover white fillings. I need one on a front tooth. My insurance will only give me a silver filling. That’s just too humiliating to consider. Is there a way to find an affordable dentist who’ll let me get a white filling at a reasonable price without my insurance?

Cienna

Dear Cienna,

Phoenix Affordable Dentist

William Somerset Maugham once said, “Money is like a sixth sense – and you can’t make use of the other five without it.” It’s frustrating when you don’t have money to do things that are actually important and good for you. Dental insurance companies are renowned for only covering the most basic of care, even if another procedure is better for you. That is true of how most of them handle fillings as well.

It’s not vain to want your teeth to be all the same color. Plus, there’s the added worry about the high mercury content in silver fillings. While many dentists demand payment upfront, there are some affordable dentists who’ll be willing to work with you.

Some do payment plans. Others will give you the white filling while billing your dental insurance for the amalgam filling and letting you pay the difference.

In your place, I’d find a dentist you trust and explain your situation. Dentists want you to have a smile you’re proud to share. It reflects on them as well. I’d be willing to bet most will work with you.

Affording White Fillings and Teeth Whitening

I know affordability is an issue for you, but I just want to be sure you know once the fillings are made, the color cannot be changed. Because you said it will be on a visible tooth, make sure your teeth are the color you want. You can whiten them now, before getting your filling so they’ll match.

Or, if you need to save up because of costs, you can get your fillings then when you’re ready to whiten, you’ll just have to re-do them.

You may want to talk to your dentist about Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card that will allow you to get both procedures and pay them out in reasonable bits. Depending on your credit, you can even get zero interest terms.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Is There Such a Thing as an Affordable Smile Makeover?

I don’t make a lot of money. In fact, I’m pretty close to the poverty line, thankfully on the plus side of it though. I’ve wanted to improve the appearance of my smile for years. Everything I read says smile makeovers need porcelain veneers, which are way out of my budget. Is there such a thing as an affordable smile makeover?

Mary Anne L.

Dear Mary Anne,

Scottsdale Affordable Dentist

It’s admirable that you’re working toward improving your smile despite financial challenges. Your smile is an investment. A beautiful smile exudes confidence, which in turn helps you to be more successful in dealing with peers.

If you were getting a top of the line smile makeover, then yes, porcelain veneers are the way to go.  There are affordable dentists who might be willing to let you pay out your smile makeover, but each dentist has their own policy in regards to what they’ll accept payments on. If they don’t take payments on cosmetic procedures, Care Credit is always an option.

Also, there are other cosmetic procedures that don’t include porcelain veneers which can make a huge difference in your smile. One of the most affordable things you can do is get your teeth whitened. It’s cost effective while taking years off your appearance. It’s also simple to do and can fit into almost anyone’s schedule.

Of course, a lot of what would help depends on what you perceive is wrong with your teeth. If you have chips or gaps, dental bonding is an affordable way to close those.

I hope this helps you. Talk to your dentist about specific issues. He or she may have some remarkably creative solutions.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Is It Possible to Get Affordable Dentistry with Attentive Care?

I needed to see a dentist but am between jobs. I googled cheap dentists and quite a few names popped up. I picked one close to me and went in hoping for the best.  I didn’t get it. In fact, I felt like I was on a conveyor belt. They rushed me in and out. Hardly asked any questions. I’m not sure if that’s normal, but I felt like a piece of cattle. I still need a couple more things done, but don’t have a ton of money as I’m living off savings right now. Is there a way to get affordable dentistry that still treats you like a human?

Carlton M.

Dear Carlton,

It’s great that you’re making an effort with your dental care even though you’re between jobs. Many people neglect their dental care in your situation, which ends up costing them more money and putting them in an emergency dental situation.

One thing to know is there is a distinct difference between cheap dentistry and affordable dentistry. Cheap dentistry usually means they lower their prices substantially in order to draw in patients. However, they have to make profits somewhere, so either they make it up with booking more patients than can be treated with attentive care or they cut corners by using sub par materials. Neither of those work out well for patients.

There are dentists who chose to be affordable in order to help people in your situation. They won’t have the rock bottom prices but they’ll be reasonable and they’ll be willing to work with you on payments so you can get the treatment you need.

Go ahead and do another search on affordable dentists (not cheap), then check their reviews to be sure the treatment other people received was the quality you deserve.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Is it Possible to Save Time AND Money at the Dentist?

ThereI have a large family. It’s nearly impossible for me to pay for everyone to get their dental work done twice a year and afford it without spreading it out throughout the year. What that boils down to is we’re at the dentist EVERY month; more if someone needs a filling or crown. What I’m looking for is a dentist who will let us all come on the same day, but pay it out throughout the six months. Is that possible?

Sandy B.

Dear Sandy,

Yes, that’s possible but it depends on the dentist. Your best bet is to look for someone who calls himself an affordable dentist. They’re generally more willing to work with patients, especially those in your situation.

The other thing to look for if you want your family to all get treatment is to find a dentist who treats both adults and children. There are many general dentists who are happy to treat children.

However, don’t just jump at the first dentist you see who meets these two criteria. Check their reviews. You want to make sure they’re skilled and thoughtful with patients. You don’t want a dentist who is going to cause your children to dread the dentist.

In fact, if you find a great dentist who works with whole families, does great work, and is good with patients, it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to afford to go. There’s a medical “credit card” of sorts called Care Credit. The best thing about this is you can set your terms. Depending on your credit, you can even get zero interest payment plans and there’s no penalty for paying it off early.

I hope this helps you get the dental care you need without feeling like you have to live at the dentist’s office.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Dentist is Humiliating Me Because I’m Broke

I felt like a total failure when I went to the dentist. I hadn’t been able to go for two years, because I don’t have insurance and I have to save up for this kind of thing. It turns out those were two bad years for my teeth. I need five fillings and two crowns. First, the dentist derided me for not coming in sooner. Then, when I told him I couldn’t afford all the work he lectured me and said if I didn’t I would lose all my teeth or die. I was so humiliated because he said all this in front of his staff. But what is a patient supposed to do if they can’t afford something? I can’t produce money out of thin air.

Louis K.

Dear Louis,

That was bad form on the part of your dentist. It was unfair of him to lecture you for something you have no control over. It’s even more unfair that he humiliates you for needing to do this in stages. And, you should know, it is totally fine for you to do this in stages. Not everyone can afford to do all their work at once. You need to find a dentist who is willing to work with you financially.

In the meantime, have this dentist list out the work which needs to be done in order of priority. Which cavities or infections are further along. Do those first, giving yourself time to save up for the other procedures. There are also dentists who work with Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card, which will allow you to have all the work done at once (if you’d like), then pay it out. Often, depending on your credit, you can choose your terms. Some have zero interest.

Your dentist is right about one thing, though not the way he handled it. People do still die from tooth infections. In fact, a father in his thirties passed away this past February from not getting to the dentist in time. Some patients make the mistake of thinking just taking an antibiotic will be enough. It won’t. It will stave off an infection for a while, but because there is no blood stream in a tooth, there’s no way for the medicine to reach it. A dentist has to physically dig out the decayed material. So, while you can put this off for a bit, don’t wait too long. That’s why I asked you to have the dentist list out the work in order of urgency.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Are All Dentists Judgmental?

I’ll admit I don’t get to the dentist as often as is recommended. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just I can’t afford it. Not only do I not have dental insurance, so everything must be paid for out of pocket, but I lose income by going. I’m paid by the hour and dentists only seem to be open during normal working hours. I have to miss work to go. Essentially, I’m charged twice if you think about it. Even though I don’t go very often, I do try to go every two years. I rarely have a problem with my teeth, but I get a lecture every single time. I’ve switched dentists every couple of years for that very reason, but no matter who I go to, there’s still that lecture. Why are they so judgmental? Why can’t they seem to understand it’s a sacrifice for many people to get to the dentist?

Avery L.

Dear Avery,

I can understand your frustration. Here you are trying your best, making sacrifices to even get to the dentist and when you do, they treat you like someone who doesn’t take care of things. First, I want you to know that not all dentists will lecture you. In fact, some dentists will just be grateful you came and tell you so. Both sets, judgemental and non-judgmental, likely have the same mindset behind their response. They care and want you to get the proper care for your teeth. They go about it different ways, some more productive than others, but they mean well.

It sounds to me like you want dental care, but you need an affordable dentist. There are dentists who work to keep their fees down. They may even work with your schedule, so you don’t lose income. Explain your work situation. It may not be that they hold regular Saturday or evening hours, but would be willing to meet with you twice a year at less than peak times so you don’t lose income to get your teeth cleaned. They wouldn’t want you to advertise they’re doing that, but would be willing to help.

Another option is to consider using a program such as Care Credit. It’s a medical “credit card” of sorts. It allows you to go ahead with treatment and then slowly pay out the bill for the services you receive. Depending on what type of credit you have, you may even be able to get zero interest payments.

Something patients don’t generally consider is how much going to the dentist regularly saves them money, health, and time. If you get your teeth cleaned regularly you’re less likely to develop a cavity. If you do happen to develop one anyway, they’re often caught so early that a simple, small filling will be enough. When things are left to progress without early intervention you end up with a more invasive (and costly) procedure, such as a root canal treatment, or worse, an extraction and the need to get a tooth replacement.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Am I Being Ripped Off By My Affordable Dentist?

I intentionally chose an affordable dentist out of a directory because I do not have dental insurance. I’m a little behind on my regular checkups, so I expected to run into some snags, but I was totally unprepared for the total bill. First off, they charged me for a more expensive “deep” cleaning and for some kind or rinse or medication that was applied during it. On top of this, they hit me for two different kinds of x-rays, and then they recommended I get a fluoride treatment and come back in a few weeks for a follow-up visit with the hygienist, which also has a charge. I’m already out a few hundred bucks, and this doesn’t even include the fillings I need to have done. Does this sound right coming from an “affordable dentist?”

Celia

Dear Celia,

Affordable dentist can mean a different thing from one dentist to another. There isn’t an objective, standard fee for anything where someone who’s below that is considered more affordable. He could just mean he finds the most affordable solutions to your case. Or maybe he’s slightly lower than other dentists in the area.

However, you’re more concerned with the specific procedures. Most of these are fairly common if it’s been a while since you’ve gone to the dentist. The two types of x-rays are standard care. One is a panoramic, only done every few years. The other, the bitewings, are annual. These help the dentist detect decay between your teeth.

If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, a deep cleaning may have been necessary. If your gums were inflamed and you had a lot of build-up, the hygienist probably did what’s known as a full mouth debridement. IF a patient has gum disease, they also often do scaling and root planing. In either case, a follow-up appointment is fairly typical. The reason for that is to be certain your situation is improving. They’re trying to forestall anything serious happening and keep you out of an emergency dentistry situation.

The cleaning solution and the fluoride aren’t always necessary. But, with gum disease, killing all the bacteria with a medicated rinse is helpful. Some offices charge for this service and some do not. The fluoride was likely recommended to help prevent decay, though it’s sometimes offered to adults with sensitive teeth, too.

Many offices that advertise as affordable will almost always have some form of payment plan available. I’d talk to the office and see what they had to offer. Ask them also to give some details on your prognosis and what to expect for future care.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.