Affordable Dentist Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Insurance Won’t Cover What My Dentist Wants to Do

Posted on August 15, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m in need of some advice. I need a dental crown because of decay that built up under a filling. My dentist wants to do something called a post and core, but my insurance only wants to cover the crown only. Is the other really necessary? I’m not made of money.

Candace

Dear Candace,

There is a big difference in the goal of your dentist and the goal of your dental insurance company. While both are a business which wants to make money. One is primarily interested in paying out the least amount of money possible, while the other is primarily interested in keeping your teeth healthy. For the most part, dentists are honest and are just trying to help. Yes, dentists want to make money. They do that by charging for their time fixing your teeth; not by making up things to fix.

Insurance companies want a dentist to just put a crown over a tooth and be done with it. Let me give you the idea behind the post and core build-up. We are taught to do this in dental school. The process is to clean out all the old filling material and build up from there. This helps us be sure there is no residual decay or other problems that otherwise would have gone unnoticed until it is too late and everything has to be replaced. The post and core help to reinforce the tooth so it doesn’t break later, and help hold the crown on.

Affording the Dental Procedures You Need

Your dental crown will not last as long without the protection that a post and core affords. When you have to replace the crown prematurely, you actually end up paying much more than if you’d have gotten the procedure done correctly to begin with. That doesn’t mean you will necessarily have the money upfront you need when your insurance won’t cover what you need. One way around that is to go to a dentist who works to make your dental care affordable.

That doesn’t mean go to a cheap dentist. An affordable dentist will often let you pay out your dental care. They may have an in-house payment plan. Or, they may work through a company like Care Credit, which is a medical credit card. They have low-interest payments and don’t have a penalty for early payoff.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Affording Dentistry without Insurance

Posted on June 17, 2019 by writeradmin.

I was laid off from my job last year and used up a lot of my savings before I got a new job. In my new job, I’m considered an independent contractor so there’s no insurance provided, either medical or dental so I’m on my own. I’ve had a rough go lately and am sure I have some cavities. Plus, I think the stress has caused me to start clenching or grinding my teeth because my jaw hurts every morning. Is there a way to get affordable care without insurance?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

You’ve been through quite a rough patch but it seems like things are starting to look back up for you. I know it’s hard when you don’t have dental insurance, but I want to steer you against just price shopping. There is an important difference between affordable dentistry and cheap dentistry.

When a dentist is unusually cheaper than other dentists there is usually a reason and one you won’t be thrilled with. One common reason for cheap prices is when a dentist is not good at their job and cannot retain clients, therefore they keep their prices super low in order to draw in new patients.

Another way they get their prices so low is by purchasing sub-par materials to make up their profit margin. Often, the procedure fails but not for months after it was completed. Unfortunately, the patient will have no idea it was because of the material the dentist used, so they end up spending more money.

Ways to Get Affordable Dentistry

You can do an internet search using the term “affordable dentist“. This won’t necessarily mean they are cheap, but they do their best to help patients get the care they need. Some will do payment plans through Care Credit. Others have discounts if you use cash.

You can purchase insurance plans without a company. They vary in price but are rarely more than $50 a month. Be aware that many have a waiting period for certain procedures, so if you are going to go that route make sure you do it sooner rather than later.

Teeth Clenching & Grinding

You are likely right about the teeth clenching and grinding. This needs to be dealt with. Fortunately, there is an easy solution. Your dentist can make you a custom-fitted mouth guard. This will protect your teeth from these actions, even while you are sleeping.

This is a serious issue. Not only can this habit lead to TMJ Disorder, but you can also crack your teeth (requiring a dental crown) or loosen them, putting them at risk of coming out.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Affordable Dentists Who Do a Good Job?

Posted on March 27, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m looking for an affordable dentist, but one who actually does a good job. The ones I’ve looked up with affordable prices have not had good reviews. I need a lot of work and can’t just afford to put out a ton of money. I am hoping to find a decent one, but who doesn’t cost a fortune.

Lily

Dear Lily,

Woman giving thumbs up in a dental chair

There is a big difference between affordable dentists and cheap dentists. Cheap dentists, those who’s prices are lower than most market rates, are usually that way for one of two reasons:

They aren’t good dentists. They can’t retain patients so use low prices to constantly bring in new ones.
They cut corners by using lower quality materials to keep prices down without hurting profits too much.

Neither of these are scenarios you’d want for your own oral health care.

Finding Quality Affordable Dental Care

Price isn’t nearly as important as the quality of the work being done. If you had a dental crown which cost $300 and another which cost $700, you’d think the $300 crown would be more affordable. But, what if that crown only lasts three years and the more “expensive” crown is so well made it lasts twenty years. Which would you consider more affordable now?

What you want is a dentist who does quality work but is willing to do two things to help with cost:

First, they’ll do something called phased treatment. This allows you to get your treatment done i stages, instead of all the work needed at once. He or she can list for you which work is most urgent and work out a plan that allows you to get the work done within a budget.

Second, they offer payment plans. They can do this in-house or through a group called care credit. This is a medical credit card which offers low and 0% interest rates, with no penalty for early pay off.

Make sure whoever you use, you check their reviews. This should help you get an idea of the experience actual patients have had with his work. Though, you have already learned this trick.

What you don’t want to do is put off the most urgent treatment. Then, you’ll end up needing an emergency dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Kentucky Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

How Do I Get an Affordable Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Posted on December 15, 2018 by writeradmin.

I haven’t been to the dentist before. My parents never took me growing up and I just kept putting it off as an adult because it didn’t seem important. I’ve never felt very healthy and recently learned that some people who always feel bad but don’t have a medical problem, usually have an underlying dental problem. I decided that might be me and it’s time to get my mouth checked out. I’m really glad I did. He said I need a full mouth reconstruction. The price was astronomical. Is there a way to make this more affordable?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

The cost of dental care shouldn’t make you want to hide. There are affordable dentists.

I’ll say right off the bat that I think it’s fantastic you’ve taken this step to get healthy teeth and gums. You’re going to feel worlds better. That being said, I’m not convinced you need a full mouth reconstruction.

You gave no indication that your mouth had extensive decay or that you were in pain a lot. You just mentioned possible underlying dental causes. I don’t want you being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous dentist who sees a newbie coming a mile away.

Because of that, I’d like you to get a second opinion. You can probably find a dentist who does free second opinions. Or, if there’s not one in your area, the nearest decent sized city should have either a school for hygienists or a dental school. They’ll usually do exams and cleanings for around $50. Not bad.

When getting a second opinion, never tell them the first diagnosis or who the dentist was you saw. If they ask, tell them you just want their untainted opinion. The reason for that is if they happen to be buddies with the other dentist they might feel guilty countering his or her opinion. This way you get their honest, unswayed thoughts.

While you are likely to need more than the average amount of work, including some fillings and possibly a dental crown, I’d be surprised if you really needed a full-mouth reconstruction.

Affording Extensive Dental Work

Let’s say for the sake of argument I’m completely wrong and you do need extensive work done. There are affordable ways to get good dental care. However, full-mouth reconstructions are very advanced, complicated procedures which aren’t taught in general dental school. It takes a great deal of planning to do correctly. It would be best if you sought out the right dentist to do it and worked out phased treatment to make the cost more do-able. There are qualified dentists who will help with payments.

For now, get that second opinion. If it turns out you do need a that full-mouth reconstruction, write back and I’ll help you find the right dentist in your area to do it.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Affordable Dentist for Practice?

Posted on October 8, 2018 by writeradmin.

I saw an ad for a dentist who is offering dental crowns at a discount because he has some new technology which allows him to create the crowns in one visit to his office. Is it safe to do this? I have a tooth in need of a crown, but I haven’t had the money to get it done.

Belinda

Dear Belinda,

An image of a crown being placed on a tooth

When is an affordable crown not worth it?

Your dentist is likely referring to a CEREC machine. This mills crowns in office. It’s probably safe if the dentist is willing to stand behind his work. I’d ask that ahead of time. If the crown doesn’t go well, will he replace it free of charge? Everyone has to learn a new procedure at some point and there will always be those first few cases.

Some things to consider is it will take him longer. He’s just learning how to place these so he’s not going to be efficient. That’s okay too. Just make sure you allow for more time than the procedure would normally take.

If you’ve put off this dental crown for a while, it’s important you get another x-ray done. You want to be sure the decay hasn’t spread and you’re not in need of a root canal. The last thing you need is for this to blow up into a dental infection, leaving you looking for an emergency dentist.

Ways to Get Affordable Dental Care

I’m not discouraging you from seeing this particular dentist on the condition that he’ll stand behind his work. However, there are always options when it comes finding an affordable dentist. Most, if not all affordable dentists, are willing to allow you to receive the treatment you need and then pay it out in reasonable installments. Others will offer alternative treatments which may be more within your budget or phased treatments.

Never feel trapped into doing something. The key is communication with a dentist. Most have entered this field because they want to help people. They’re compassionate and will work with you.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.