Treatment FAQ

why is my dental treatment cost and what i pay different

by Brittany O'Connell Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Of course, the cost of every dental procedure varies. But the reason for the cost depends on various factors, such as: The complexity of the procedure The equipment used in your procedure Your geographical location The specific dental office Your procedure is likely to cost more if you need a complex treatment that’ll:

Full Answer

Can a dentist estimate the cost of your dental treatment?

Yes, there are many factors that will influence how much your dental treatment will cost. And no, most dentists cannot estimate the cost of your treatment without first meeting with you and evaluating your oral health. But it can be difficult to find straightforward answers to such basic questions as: How much does high-quality dental work cost?

Why do dental fees vary so much?

a) It's common for fees to vary. A big difficulty with estimating dental costs is that within any immediate area (even one smaller than a local zip code) the fees charged by dentists can vary significantly, even as much as 25 to 30%. That's because every dentist has their own unique set of issues that must be factored in when setting their fees.

How can I pay for dental treatment?

Ways to pay for dental treatment. 1 1. Dental insurance. If you have dental insurance or a dental discount plan, either privately or through your employer, first check to see if there ... 2 2. Pay your dentist directly. 3 3. Get a dental loan. 4 4. Get financing with a dental payment plan. 5 5. Dental discount plans.

Do dentists take payment plans?

Many dentists partner with third-party providers to offer payment plans to make dental care more affordable to their patients. If you need an expensive procedure that your insurance doesn't cover, you can ask your dentist if they will take a payment plan.

image

Why do dentists charge different prices?

There can be wide variations in prices for the same dental procedures from different providers. Individual dental practices set prices for their offices based on market prices and the costs of doing business. These costs include rent, salaries, insurance, supplies and more.

Are dental fees negotiable?

Physicians and dentists (hospitals too) are used to negotiating. You can have the conversation up front, before the medical visit or procedure. Alternatively, if you get the bill and believe the fee was excessive or can't afford it, you can try bargaining it down at that point.

How do you negotiate dental costs?

How to negotiate a bill with your dentistDo adequate research. ... Use a friendly tone. ... Negotiate before the procedure. ... Ask for other options that may save you money. ... Request for the insurance rate. ... Pay in cash. ... Be persistent. ... The Bottom Line.

Do all dentists in BC charge the same?

Do All Dentists Charge the Same Fees? Dentists in British Columbia are not required to charge the fees in the BC dental fee guide, as the guide is only intended to provide an idea of what to charge. Each dentist's office has its own set of costs that determine how much they charge for a certain type of treatment.

Can dentists charge whatever they want?

Non-Network Dentists Charge Market Rates Dentists outside of a PPO network can charge whatever they like (what the market will bear), rather than what your insurance plan allows for a particular service.

How do I ask my dentist for a discount?

Ask your dentist, if he'd be willing to give you a discount for paying in cash. Since you'll be saving him credit card fees and billing hassles, he's likely to say yes. Emphasize that you're willing to pay in full at the time of service. Prompt payments are hard to resist.

How can we avoid high dental costs?

6 Ways To Lower Your Dental CostsKeep your oral hygiene in check. ... Protect your teeth from costly damage. ... Don't skip regular dental checkups. ... Talk to your dentist about costs and payment options. ... Explore alternative options. ... Consider buying dental insurance. ... Don't be tempted to do nothing. ... Compare dental insurance plans.

How much does a crown cost?

In general, a regular dental crown will cost between $1100 and $1500. However, prices will vary depending on the type of crown chosen. Fees will vary according to the treatment you need before the final crown is cemented, so if you need bone grafting, a root canal or gum surgery, the price of a crown will go up.

Can you negotiate price with orthodontist?

The good news, though, is that orthodontists offer a variety of payment plans. Many allow patients to pay through monthly installments with no interest, and with some orthodontists, you can negotiate the fee itself.

How can dentists charge so much?

These include consumable materials costs, laboratory fees, additional staff salaries as business activity grows and more patients are treated, up to a maximum capacity allowed by chair time in the practice. Let us put one myth to bed. Dental fees have very little to do with the cost of materials.

Which province has the lowest dental fees?

Alberta remains the only Canadian province without a dental fee guide.

How much does a root canal and crown cost in BC?

Pricing for a root canal can vary depending on the scope of damage and infection to the tooth. Prices can start out at around $350 and cost as much as $540 for front tooth like an incisor. Molars may range in price from $520 to $800.

Fees For Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures -

1. Porcelain veneers - Per-unit (tooth) fees. | Replacements 2. Lumineers® veneers - A type of ultra-thin porcelain veneer. Per-unit fees. | Replac...

Fees For Basic Dental Procedures -

1. Dental bonding - Front teeth. - "White" fillings. Cost by number of surfaces. 2. Dental bonding - Back teeth. - "White" fillings. Cost by number...

Fees For Reconstructive Dental Procedures -

1. Dental crowns - Porcelain-fused-to-metal | Gold (all metal) | All-ceramic - Cost by fabrication type. Per-unit fees. | Replacements 2. Conventio...

How We Calculate Our Dental Procedure Cost Estimates.

We've developed our own methodology for calculating our dental work price ranges.First off, we collect fee data for our own local region. We start...

How Can You Accurately Compare Dental Costs Between Dentist Offices?

It can be difficult for a person to get an idea of the comparative fees of different dentists.As an example, when comparing the cost of dental crow...

What happens if you don't go to the dentist?

If you don’t go to the dentist as often as they recommend, you will not get the most value out of the plan. Sometimes it can be difficult to move your plan if you need to move dentists. Private Dentistry – Dental treatment which is not provided under an NHS contract and not subject to government price caps.

What is a dental insurance plan?

Private Dental Insurance - A monthly plan which means you pay your dentist for any treatment received and then claim the money back from the insurer. Pros: Dental insurance covers you if you have a dental emergency or accident, which could be expensive.

Can you pay for NHS treatment?

You won’t usually have to wait very long for an appointment and it can be easier to get one that fits around your schedule. You only pay for treatment that you get, and any level of treatment is entirely up to you. If you choose to have treatment which is unavailable on NHS, then that’s no problem if you can pay for it.

Do cash plans cover opticians?

Cons: If you don’t need any treatment, they can work out to be expensive. However, the plans do cover other types of medical expenses, such as opticians, osteopathy etc.

Can you shop around for dental exams?

You are also given the ability to ‘shop around’; different dental practices have different prices for similar treatments, so you can compare and choose what is best for you in terms of price and dentist, although each practice will generally make a charge for the examination.

Dental Care: Luxury or Healthcare Necessity?

The lack of dental care in America isn’t anything new. In 2010, over 181 million Americans avoided heading to the dentist due to both anxiety and cost of care.

The Cost of Care and Dental Tourism

The lack of dental care in America is a pandemic in and of itself. It is estimated that 74 million Americans don’t have dental insurance, and this can be largely attributed to both price and the fact that it remains separate from general health insurance.

Advanced Dental Care, Third World Statistics

Despite the number of skilled healthcare providers in America, one look at the dental care system and you may mistake it for something from a ‘third-world’ country, where only the most well-off are able to afford access.

The Damages of Expensive Dental Care

The lack of dental care in America harms everyone, both young and old. Consider how dental problems can impact speech in developing children, making both orthodontic treatment and speech therapy necessary.

Dental Care and Mental Health

Despite dental insurance not being grouped with general medical insurance, even though it impacts both physical and mental health, the correlations cannot be ignored. Along with potentially causing devastating physical problems, the lack of dental care in America can also contribute to an increase in mental health problems, particularly depression.

Why Is Dental Care So Expensive?

Now that we’ve dug into the ramifications of the lack of health care in America and the turmoil surrounding it, let’s look more closely into just why the costs are so expensive to see if anything can be done.

What Needs to Change?

The lack of dental care in America is significant and, without change, it is something that will only continue to get worse. However, as demonstrated in nearly every election, changing any medical legislation is exceptionally difficult as affordable practices are often dreamed too difficult to exist in America.

How we calculate our dental procedure cost estimates

We’ve developed our own methodology for calculating the dental procedure fee ranges we show on our pages. In brief –

How can you accurately compare costs differences between dentists?

When trying to compare fees between two dental offices, one of the things you absolutely must know is precisely which dental procedure the quote refers to.

Why is it so hard to estimate dental costs?

Estimating the costs of your dental care is difficult due to providers not being fully transparent about their pricing. Enrolling in a dental plan helps you compare prices and determine costs. Take steps toward your oral health by becoming more informed.

How to keep dental costs low?

One of the best ways to keep your dental costs low is to stay consistent with your professional cleanings and exams so issues can be caught and treated before they become more severe-and expensive-to treat.

How to make informed decisions about dental care?

To make an informed decision on your treatment plan, make sure you know what options are available to treat your particular issue. Consider enrolling in a dental plan – Dental plans are a great way to make your dental care more affordable.

How to keep your teeth healthy?

Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Eating teeth-healthy foods and limiting sugar intake is also important. When you do give in to that sweet tooth, be sure to drink lots of water to flush away the sugar.

Can you skip a dental check up?

Even skipping once a year could negatively impact your oral health. While you might be tempted to save money by doing without these preventative appointments, skipping out on your dental check-ups regularly can lead to higher costs in the future for more invasive dental procedures.

Is price important for dental?

Price is important, but it’s never the only consideration when deciding on the right procedure for your dental concern. Call around to other providers; get a second opinion – You can confirm if your quote is fair market value for the dental procedures you need with a couple of quick calls to other providers.

Does Medicare cover dental insurance?

On another note, Medicare also doesn’t cover routine dental care or most dental procedures either.

How do dental payment plans help?

Conclusion. Dental payment plans can help make your dental care more affordable by spreading the cost over a period of time. If you need a payment plan for upcoming dental work, your next step is to search for a local dentist with payment plans near you.

How do dental discount plans work?

With a discount plan, you pay an annual fee and in return, you receive discounted dental work. Dental discount plans are less expensive than insurance plans and help many patients save a lot, especially on routine and preventative care like cleanings, but they can also be used for more expensive treatment like dental implants as well. To find out more about dental discount plans, you can check out our dental savings plan article.

How much is a discount on dental checkups?

The discount can be anywhere from 10% to 80% of the total treatment cost , depending on the level of insurance you have.

What to consider before signing on to a dental plan?

You might also want to consider a dental insurance plan or a dental savings plan. There are plenty of plans available and you might be surprised at how affordable some of them can be.

What is the phone number for dental insurance?

All you have to do is enter your zip code and date of birth and you'll be shown the best plans in your state. And if you need help, you can call 888-626-0057 to speak with one of their helpful, licensed agents. Get coverage now.

How long does it take to pay back a dental loan?

You then repay the loan over several months or years, depending on your loan term. Before taking out a loan, always make sure that you will be able to pay it back within the payment deadline.

What happens if you fall behind on your payment schedule?

You can expect to be charged a fee if you fall behind on your payment schedule. Some companies may be more lenient than others, though; check the terms of your plan so you're aware of any penalties.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9