Category Archives: Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentist

Is there affordable teeth whitening?

I want to whiten my teeth because I need another job and my smile makes me look old. It’s kind of pricey. There are over the counter whitestrips that are A LOT cheaper. Do they really work?

Yvette M. – Alabama

Yvette,

Over the counter whitestrips will work, but not the same way that professional teeth whitening will. First, the whitening gel is considerable weaker than what you’ll get at a dentist’s office.

While they may seem more affordable, they will actually end up costing you more money. You’ll have to do many, many boxes in order to get the same results.

Your best bet is to find a dentist who will let you pay out your teeth whitening.

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

Affordable Dentist

Must I look like a hillbilly because I’m poor?

I fell down a flight of stairs and knocked out one of my front teeth. My dentist said I needed a dental implant to replace it. When he told me the price my eyeballs popped out. Do I really have to choose between no food or shelter and having a front tooth?

Marcus G. – Little Rock,

Marcus,

No. You will not have to choose between that at all. I have to say that I am a little annoyed at your dentist for not giving you all of  your options. In fact, it is unethical.

There are plenty of other options available to you that are more affordable.  Did your dentist ever mention to you a dental bridge or a removable partial denture?

Both of those options are more affordable than a dental implant. If your dentist will only give the most expensive option, you should find a different dentist.

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

Affordable Dentist

I don’t get free dentistry with Obamacare

I thought i’d get free dentistry when I got my obamacare, but I didn’t. Is there some kind of special application for that?

Maurice I. – Benton, AR

Maurice,

Obamacare is designed for medical care, though not even that is free. Most people are having to pay a lot more than they did before Obamacare in order to subsidize the low income applicants. You need to understand that nothing is free, not even your medical care. Someone is paying for it.

That being said, there are some ways to get more affordable dental care. You can get cleanings at a dental school for a lot less money than other clinics because students are doing the work. In many of them, however, if you need any dental work done, such as crowns or root canals, you will have to go to a licensed dentist.

There are dentists who work hard to keep their prices affordable and even offer payment plans that are low and no interest. Call around. Let them know your financial situation and they’ll let you know if they’re able to work with you.

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

Affordable Dentist

I want a free dentist

Is there free dentists for poor people? I can’t afford to go and I have a tooth ache.

Devon O. – Baltimore

Devon,

Each city generally has free dental service clinics, but they’re not permanent, instead they are once a year or so.  However, if you are having tooth pain now, it needs to be dealt with. That pain probably indicates a tooth infection. When left untreated, they can become quite serious.

Plus, it is more affordable to deal with things early. If not, you could end up having to replace a tooth, which can cost a great deal.  I understand you’re in a difficult financial situation. In that case, I would do an internet search for an affordable dentist in your area.

When you talk to them, be up front about your financial circumstances. They’ll likely work with you.

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

Affordable Dentist

My dentist doesn’t understand I can’t afford his recommendation

I have a chip on my tooth. I’ve not really had money to fix it, but I’ve been offered a great PR job on the condition I fix my tooth. It’s a reasonable request as I’ll be in front of a camera a lot. It will be worth, it, but I just don’t have the money to do an expensive treatment yet. My dentist wants me to get a Lumineer to fix it, but that is way over my budget. Isn’t there any other option?

Brooke S.- Oregon

Brooke,

I get frustrated when I hear about scenarios like yours. A dentist has an ethical responsibility to give patients all their options, not just the ones that make them the most money.

Dentist’s need to understand that not everybody works on the same type of budget and might need more affordable options for their dental treatment.

You do have another option. It’s possible your dentist doesn’t know how to do it and that isn’t why he mentioned it, but he had a repsonsibility to let you know about the option regardless. Have you looked into dental bodning? It uses composite material to repair your chip.  It doesn’t last as long as a porcelain veneer (Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers), but it is considerably less expensive.

It’s a least an option that will allow you to get your new job and then you can save up for the cadillac of repairs.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

I can’t afford a dental implant

I have a problem and I don’t know what to do. I am having a tooth extracted. My dentist says I have to get a dental implant. However, between the surgery and the restoration, I just can’t afford it. What do I do? I don’t want to leave an empty space in my mouth.

Yvette L. – Maryland

Yvette,

What your dentist is doing is unethical.  He is supposed to give you all your options, not just insist on the ideal treatment. Everybody is on a different budget.

There are other more affordable dental options for your situation. If you can’t afford a dental implant, maybe you can afford a dental bridge or a removable partial denture. If even those are out of your reach, you could get a dental flipper. They are meant to be temporary, but it can fill in if you’re in a pinch and need to save up for a more permanent solution.

I hope this helps.

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

 

Affordable Dentist

More affordable dentistry in Mexico

I cannot afford some of the dental work my dentist says I’ll need. It is way more affordable if I go across the border to Mexico. I was hoping you can give me some hints on ways to make sure it is a positive experience.

Hannah S. – Little Rock, AR

Hannah,

There is no way to ensure a positive experience in Mexico. I know it may seem like it is more affordable, but I want to give you some things to think about before you make a final decision.  There are some very good reasons that costs are higher in the United States.  You think about whether or not these are worth the extra cost.

First, in the U.S. we have laws about sterilization of dental equipment and cleanliness of the office. You will find no such laws on the books in Mexico.  While there are plenty of dentists who would voluntarily keep things clean and sterile, it is not something I would like to wonder about when I’m about to get a procedure done.

Secondly, dentists in Mexico do not have to have malpractice insurance. You might initially think that is great and just makes things more affordable for everyone all around, but ask yourslef what recourse you would have if something went wrong.

That insurance actually helps protect you too. There is a system in place in Mexico for filing complaints through the government. However, most foreigners would find the system confusing and you’d have to know all the rules and regulations. Plus, the while their government will mediate, they will not force a dentist to correct his work or refund your money, so you’ll be left holding the bag.

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

Affordable Dentist

Finding Affordable Dentistry

When you’re looking for an affordable dentist, you don’t want to sacrifice quality.  I don’t necessarily recommend going to the least expensive dentist. That could mean a compromise in the quality of materials.  For instance, if a dentist has significantly cheaper costs for dental implants, he can afford to have significantly lower prices. But, what if those costs savings came at the expense of quality implants? Then, you’re no longer saving money, but risking your health.

But, an affordable dentist isn’t an anomaly. There are other ways to keep costs down.  One is to place your practice in a more affordable area. Lower overhead means savings for patients without sacrificing quality.

For instance, Peck Family Dentistry is just about 4 miles outside of Scottsdale. this allows us to serve both the people of Scottsdale and Phoenix.  Our overhead is lower than if we were just four miles east and we pass those savings on to our patients.

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

Affordable Dentist

Disparity in dental costs

Can you tell me why there is such a disparity in different dental costs? One dentist in my area charges $900 for a dental crown while another charges $2,100. How can there be such a difference in their pricing? I’m trying to save money, but this is such a huge difference, I’m wondering if something is wrong with the first pricing.

Gennifer F., – Hot Springs, AR

Gennifer,

You are wise to realize that the cheapest deal is not always the best deal.  You want an affordable dentist, but not one that cuts corners in important areas.

The difference in pricing is caused from a lot of factors. Sometimes it is a matter of the type and quality of the materials used. There are some materials, like the type of porcelain used  or whether it is all porcelain verses porcelain fused to metal.

Some times dentists cost less because they work hard to keep their fees down, without sacrificing quality.

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

Affordable Dentist

Broken fixture

I had called around to find the least expensive place to get dental implants. I found a dentist who was $1000.00 cheaper than everyone else. But, the fixture broke and now I have a serious infection. I don’t know what to do.  I spent everything I had to get this implant and now I am worse off. Is there any way to fix this?

Liz C. – Mesa, AZ

Liz,

I am really sorry this happened to you. I say this over and over again– there is a big difference between cheap dentistry and affordable dentistry.  Generally when something is significantly less expensive than almost every other place you call, it means they are cutting corners in places that are advantageous to themselves, but not to the patient.

In this case it sounds like he used substandard materials in order to save money on his end. This puts you in a real bind. Unfortunately, this procedure will have to be completely re-done after the infection has healed.  You’ll probably also need some bone grafting in order to ensure their is enough bone support for the new implant.

I realize you don’t have money for this procedure right now. You may have to get a removable partial denture while you save up for the second implant procedure.

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