Tag Archives: affordable dental prices

Affordable Dentist

Elderly Parent Losing Teeth

My elderly father recently had some teeth filled. He also has one partial tooth. All of which are in the same general area, in the lower part of his jaw. However, in the last couple of days, two of his front teeth fell out. Because his gums and remaining teeth are not in the best health, we are in need of affordable dental options to remedy the issue.

Thank you,
Mindi

Dear Mindi,

If your father’s teeth fell out, completely on their own, that is a case of advanced periodontal disease. If this is in fact the case, there are likely few to no solid teeth left. Therefore, you have a few options.

Options For Replacing Missing Teeth

The most ideal solution would be dental implants. However, your father would need a full-mouth reconstruction, which would likely cost over $20,000.

Another option to consider is removable dentures. One problem with removable dentures is they cause bone resorption. However, since your father is in his elderly years, this would not be an issue.

A third option is a partial denture. A partial is built like a complete denture, but has holes in it, allowing the existing teeth to poke through. This is a more stable option that allows holes to be closed up with artificial teeth should additional teeth fall out.

If you have not already done so, you should consult with your dentist, and let him know your father’s budget constraints up front. His dentist will likely share financial options with you, that will make the dental treatments more affordable.

This blog post was brought to you by Phoenix affordable dentist, Dr. Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

What should i do to find a good affordable dentist?

It seems there is a bit of irony in the phrase “affordable dentist.” As someone who is in need of several dental procedures, I have not been able to secure dental insurance until the last few months. The first dental provider I visited recommended treatment to the tune of almost $12,000. That is completely unrealistic for my budget, so I set out to find a dentist would could provide the services I need for a lesser cost. However, in my research, I’m concluding that the dental offices who showcase their low costs come with poor reviews. And, those which I have visited, feel like the dentist is running an assembly line, quickly moving through as many procedures as possible.

Because I am in need of a great deal of dental work, it is crucial that I find a dentist with whom I can connect with and feel comfortable around.

Is it possible to find a dentist who will provide quality work for a reasonable cost?

Thank you,
Will

Dear Will,
You ask wonderful questions. Rest assured, this situation is quite common. However, the remedy will require a different way of thinking.

Thought it may appear that, when comparing the services from various dentists, that they are the same, regardless of the procedures, the individual dentists have their own unique approaches. Try to consider the dentists’ perspective, as there are only so many ways costs can be reduced. A dentist could:

  1. Monitor and limit the time they are with patients (this sounds similar to the tactics you mentioned above).
  2. Select materials which are cheaper.
  3. Reduce the amenities they offer and/or the size of their team, or have team members with less experience.

Unfortunately, doing any of the above would reduce the quality of your experience and services you receive and you would want to steer clear of offices that do them. However, these are characteristics of cheap dentistry.

The solution is more about finding a good dentist who is affordable. There are several considerations when doing this.

  1. Look for an office who will separate your treatment plan into smaller sections. This will allow you to pay for the services as you receive them and your budget allows.
  2. Consider offices who offer financing options. Many offer this in-house through their office, or use services such as CareCredit.
  3. If you don’t currently have dental insurance, get it. Or, if you do have it, look into getting a secondary plan. You can get on a good PPO for under $50 a month, but be cognisant of wait periods, as some companies require waiting over a year for services.
  4. Prioritize and address the most pressing needs first, and as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the longer you go without fixing dental problems, the more expensive they become.
  5. Be sure you are getting the most out of your insurance benefits. Ask questions and find out as much about your benefits as you can. Determine if there are other options that will allow the insurance company to cover more, or be sure you use every dime of the amount they pay.

If you find an office that you connect with, be sure to let them know your budget. Ideally, the best practices will offer to find ways to help ensure you get the treatment you need, even if you have to start slow and go at the pace which your budget allows.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix affordable dentist, Dr. Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

What if you can’t afford a toothache?

I’m being honest with you when I tell you that I just cannot afford a dentist. But. I also have a horrible toothache. What do I do?

Lance Q. – California

Lance,

What you need to do is find a dentis who is willing to work with you.  It’s not as hard as it sounds.  Most dentists get into the field because they like to help people. There are a lot of dentists who will be willing to work with you.

It’s easier if you look at dentists who advertise as affordable dentists. They’re usually more willing to work with patients. Not only do they have affordable fees, but they also have payment plans.

Explain your circumstances and they may have other ways of helping as well. What you don’t want to do is to put off being seen. If this is a tooth infection, it will spread and only get worse.

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

Affordable Dentist

Need a dentist I can afford

I’ve never gone to a dentist. I’ve never really had problems with my teeth either, but now that I’m an adult i’d like to go.  I just finished college. I have a job, but it doesn’t provide dental and I’ve go loads of student loans.  I don’t know where to start in finding a dentist. I don’t even know how much it is supposed to be.

Daniel – Ft. Smith, AR

Daniel,

Congratulations for graduating college AND getting a job.  Those are two things that rarely happen together these days.  It’s scary getting started on adult life, but it is great that you are taking your oral health seriously. Don’t worry, there are affordable dentists.

To find out the norm for pricing in your area, I would call about 5 or 6 dentists at random and ask their prices for cleanings, filling, and crowns. That sampling should give you a reasonable range of what to expect.

After that, see what kind of reviews the ones that are closest to you get. Check to see if the ones you’re interested in have payment options that work with your budget. Their website should give you some indication of how they handle payments.

When you’ve done your legwork, you’re ready to schedule an appointment with your first choice and see how you like him or her.

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