Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for July 2015

Smile makeover without much money

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I only have about five hundred dollars, but I really want to do something about my teeth.  They’re old and have a little chip in the front. What can I do with that kind of money?

Giada O. – New Jersey

Giada,

You can easily do professional, take home teeth whitening in that price range.  To be honest, teeth whitening is one of the easiest (and dramatic) things you can do to brighten up your smile.  Having whiter teeth takes years off your appearance.

Depending on the size of the chip on your tooth (and the prices of your dentist), it’s feasible that you can have dental bonding done on the chip on your tooth. Depending on what exactly will need to be done with the tooth, it will generally cost between $100-$600 per tooth.

Be sure you get the tooth whitening done before you do any bonding. That way it will be matched to your new white color.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

What if I can’t afford the treatment my dentist insists on?

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My dentist said I need dental implants. I just plain can’t afford him.  I told him I would rather get dentures, but he said that would ruin my jawbone and I really need implants.  What do I do if I can’t afford the treatment? I’m not going to sell my house in order to get my teeth fixed.

Ali B. – Tucson, Arizona

Ali,

There are very few things that irritate me more than a dentist who instists on the ideal treatment regardless of the financial circumstances of their patients. It’s not only inconsiderate, it’s unethical.   Your dentist is ethically bound to tell you all the legitimate treatment options.

Yes, it is not ideal.  Yes, it will affect your jawbone. But, sometimes patients need affordable dental options . This may be the best treatment for you right now.  Then, if things change, you can upgrade later.

If your dentist has trouble understanding that, I suggest you look for a more affordable dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

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At my last checkup, I asked the dentist for a consultation to see what my options were for a couple missing teeth. I wasn’t sure how affordable dental implants were. I got my estimate and it shows that my insurance is only picking up a very small portion of it. I really figured that they would pick up about half of the total bill. Does this sound right? Is there a way to get them to cover more so I can go forward with treatment?

-Reagan

Dear Reagan,

Dental implants can be pretty pricey, but their benefits are even greater than their cost. Unfortunately, dental insurance doesn’t help much when it comes to creating more affordable dental implants. In fact, many plans have no coverage at all. Others will only pay for half of the crown that goes on top and that’s after you pay a deductible. There are a few plans that cover more, but they are a rarity.

This doesn’t mean that working with your dentist you can’t find a more afforable plan to get dental implants. Every dentist is different in what they offer.  Some of them stage out your implants. Others, like Dr. Perry, offer mini implants.

The key is communication.  Let your dentist know what you have to work with budget wise and he or she can help you determine the best treatment option for you.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

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