Hello there,

I have been checking a lot of cosmetic dentistry websites in my hometown, and have noticed something. None of them seem to put any price information on their websites! Why is that? I would like to know the cost of any dentist before going to their office. I don’t want to waste time at a place I cannot afford anyway.

Why don’t more dentists put their pricing or costs on their websites? I, like many people, like to comparison shop. It would be helpful if more dentists put their cost information online.

Henry, from San Francisco, CA

 

Hi Henry,

You are correct, most dentists do not opt to put their pricing information online. One reason may be to avoid looking “cheap” or low quality to potential clients. Dentists know how to save their patient’s money, but posting this online may make them look unprofessional, like they cut corners or do shoddy work.

Some dentists that do post their prices online may be willing to work with you on the cost of dental work. However, in terms of dentistry, cheaper is not always better. In fact, cheap dental work may end up costing you more in the long run, as it may be made from lower-quality materials or may break in ten years instead of the usual fifteen to twenty. For example, a dental implant that costs more upfront but lasts fifteen years ends up being less expensive than a cheaper option that lasts only ten.

While cheaper is not always better, the most expensive option does not guarantee the best quality work, either. It is best to opt for a dentist whose fees are in between. To find out an office’s fees, call a few local dentists and ask them for their prices for a few common procedures. For example, get the prices for a dental hygiene appointment, a porcelain crown on a molar, and a multi-surface anterior composite filling. Comparing these prices between a few dental offices will give you a good idea of which office is best in terms of affordability.

Getting long-lasting dental work is not something that easily lends itself to comparison shopping for the cheapest deal. Instead, aim for somewhere in the middle fee-wise, and you will end up better off in the long run.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.