Baton Rouge Dentist

Why Aren’t Prices on Dental Websites?

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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.

 

Why did my dental implant fail?

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I am in desperate need of dental implants that are affordable. I consulted several dentists, but had succumbed to the idea that my only affordable choice was a partial denture. Not all of the dentists I met with suggested this. Some advised that I needed dental bridges, and one even suggested I needed surgery. I finally landed on a dentist who said he could provide me with affordable dental implants, with no prior surgery. It never occurred to me that I should have questioned this, seeing as none of the other dentists made this suggestion. Therefore, I proceeded with his treatment plan and received the implants. Unfortunately, they have been problematic from the beginning. In fact, one of them fell out completely! Is this typical or did I receive sub-par treatment? The dentist states that there is no way to anticipate problems like this, and sometimes dental implants fail. Is this the case, or did I have the wool pulled over my eyes?

Thank you,
Mandy

Dear Mandy,

The affordability of the implants is not as important to answering your question as is the skill level of the dentist. The success rate of a procedure such as this can be as high as 98%. However, this statistic varies greatly based on the skill and experience of the dentist.

No, a dental implant completely falling out is not common. If no other symptoms accompanied this issue, the signs point to the implant not having adequate time to complete integrate with the bone before the crown was placed. This is called osseointegration, and generally takes six to nine months to be fully complete.

It is possible that your dentist did everything correctly, yet your body rejected the false tooth. This has happened before and there is no way to predict to whom it will happen. But, when it does happen, and the body rejects the tooth, it can look different from patient to patient.

Considering all of the above factors, it is difficult to conclude whether your dentist was just inexperience, or if he short-changed you. It would be a a great idea for you to consult with an experienced dental implant provider, in order to for your implants to be evaluated. He or she may be able to provide you with a better understanding of why yours failed, as well as help determine a plan to replace the one that fell out.

This article is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider Dr. Ryan Perry.

Was my affordable dental implant experience normal?

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Most of my teeth are missing. In hopes of receiving affordable dental implants, I signed up for a discount dental plan. During my first appointment, I filled out paperwork, but noticed the forms were asking for more information than is typically on medical office paperwork. After completing the paperwork, I was told that I qualified for financing. I found it odd that they would qualify me for financing before any services or prognoses were completed. I received an x-ray and dental cleaning. Then, the dentist entered the room and told me I needed several fillings and multiple crowns, without physically looking at any of my teeth and that all of the work would come to the tune of $4000. I thought that amount sounded extreme, and was still in shock at the entire process. The receptionist tried to get me to commit to an appointment date and time for the crowns and fillings, but, because I felt uneasy about the whole thing, I told her I would call later for this. However, I have zero intention of returning to that dental office. If I do, in fact, need all of the dental work they indicated I do, it will be several years before I can afford the work to be done. I recently received a phone call from that office to schedule my appointment for the dental work. I have no intention of returning the call. I know I have not been intentional about my dental appointments or hygiene, so realize it is possible that I may have a few cavities, but is it normal, or even permissible, for a dentist to advise that you have all of this work done without physically looking at your teeth?

Thank you,

Corby


Corby,
You are correct. What you experienced during your dental appointment is far from normal. Not only should you have received your cleaning and x-rays, your teeth should have been thoroughly examined by the dentist before any treatment was recommended. Then, in addition to recommending the treatment, the dentist should have explained why such treatment was necessary. High fees, such as the amount you were quoted, can make a person feel that affordable dental implants are out of their reach.

Your decision to not return to that office was a wise one. You might also consider reaching out to your dental insurance provider, in order to explain the situation and avoid any potential problems with coverage, since you will likely be duplicating the appointment with a different dentist. You may also want to visit any future dental offices first, or request a dental consultation, before any exams.

Affordable dental implants are possible because of financing and/or dental payment plans, but they should never be sneaky or secretive, as you have experienced.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are affordable dental implants a good idea?

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I am missing several teeth. I looked into replacing them a few years ago, but my dentist was going to charge several thousand dollars. Because the amount was out of my budget, I had him do partial dentures instead. However, I am still interested in a permanent solution.

I recently saw an ad for an office claiming to specialize in affordable dental implants. I have tried to research on my own, and everything I am finding suggests this is a safe procedure, but to check on the dentist’s experience level. However, nothing tells me what level of experience I should be looking for, or what details I should be trying to found out. Can you help?

Thank you,
Janet

Dear Janet,

Just like dentists are all different, so are affordable dental implants. After talking with various dentists who provide this option, you may find that affordable dental implants are different depending on who you speak to. Some may be placing mini-implants, while others are performing All-on-Fours. Some may be using sub-standard parts, or are inexperienced, while others are genuinely knowledgeable and skilled. Still, others may be using discounts to encourage new patients to join their practice.

Asking questions is really the best way to truly learn the motivation behind the dentist providing affordable dental implants. If he or she is not using posts of standard sizes, they are probably using minis. If the procedure is coupled with dentures, it is likely an all-on-fours. You should inquire if the parts have been approved by the FDA. If the answer is no, they may not meet the durability and sterility guidelines.

Finally, regarding the level of experience, any dentist can call themselves an “affordable dental implant specialist,” but this does not mean they have any more experience than another dentist who has performed the procedure or offers the procedure. It would be a good idea to find out where the doctor attended dental school, and also the number of hours he or she has spent studying the procedure. If the answer is at least 200+ hours, you can assume he or she has had the training, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the skill is there. You should find out the number of procedures which they have completed, as well as their success rate to determine this. Implants generally have a 98% success rate. If the number is around that, you should feel confident in the service.

This post is provided by the office of Baton Rouge dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

My smile was ruined by an affordable dental implant doctor

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My two front teeth had become loose, so I began searching for an affordable dental implant dentist. I found an ad that met my criteria. When I went in for the estimate, I was told I needed those teeth to be extracted at that time, as well as bone beads to help with the healing.

After six months, and no front teeth, the dentist told me he could not perform the implant surgery because I didn’t have enough bone, and my gums needed treatment. He indicated I would need additional procedures prior to the surgery. Now I have no front teeth, no idea if they should have been removed originally, and just want my smile back!

What should I do?

Hank

Dear Hank,

The fact that you don’t know the cause of your loose teeth is a significant red flag. If the cause was periodontal disease, you would not have been a candidate for dental implants to begin with. The doctor should have discussed this with you from the get-go. It’s difficult to tell if your teeth could have been saved without knowing the cause. This is s a major concern.

However, it is likely, going forward, that you will need additional treatments prior to the implant surgery, in order for the implants to last. It would be a good idea to consult another dentist before proceeding. Also, there is no reason that you should not have been given temporary replacement teeth. Typically offices offer partial dentures, of flippers to keep the other teeth from moving, maintain the right amount of space, and to help make it easier for you to eat. It is not too late for these.

Make an appointment with another dentist to assess all of this this before moving forward.

This article is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry, Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider.

Are redo dental implants more affordable?

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I have already had dental implants once. I’m now learning that I need to have them redone and am wondering if any of the expenses carry over to the second attempt. To give some background, I am learning that my original implants didn’t take and now my dentist is saying I need to have them redone and is expecting me to pay full-price for the procedure.

Is this advisable?

Thanks,

Mandi

Dear Mandi,

I’m not sure what your timeline looks like, as you didn’t mention how long ago you received your original implants. It usually takes six to 12 months for them to fully integrate with the bone. I’m wondering if you’re still within this time frame. While poor placement, infections, or some medical conditions can cause problems with the healing, it is rare for them to not take at all.

If your implants have in fact failed, the first step is to determine the root cause. Hopefully your dentist has already discussed this with you. However, if this discussion has yet to take place, try to find out the cause prior to any work being done.

In regards to the second procedure being more affordable, some sort of discount or comped work would be advisable. It’s unclear if your implant failure could have been predicted, or prevented. If it indeed could have been prevented, you should not have to pay a dime. If this is the case, request a refund and find a more skilled dentist. It would also be a good idea to get a second opinion before moving forward.

This article was provided by affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

PERIO SURGERY VS. DENTURES?

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I need to have a periodontal surgery where they cut the gums and lay them open to clean the teeth and possibly fill in where there is bone loss. With insurance I’m looking at close to $4000, plus I need a deep cleaning prior to the surgery, which is $1200. From what I’ve been told because my bone loss is 6 to 8 throughout my gums, this may not work. I’m 36, and I’m wondering if it would be better to just have my teeth extracted and get dentures. What do you think?

Thanks, Howard

Dear Howard

Sorry to hear about your gum disease problem at such a young age, however your teeth sound like there still savable. Bone loss involving six to eight mm pockets is considered moderate periodontal disease and very treatable especially if your teeth have very little or no mobility. Having the periodontal treatment recommended will stop the progression of the disease, therefore will help prevent you from losing your teeth; however it is vital that you develop exceptional oral hygiene habits and have dental cleanings every 3 months to maintain your smile and dental health.

The periodontal surgery can cost about the same as having all your teeth extracted and having dentures placed. Dentures are not like your natural teeth and most people can’t eat some of the foods they are use to. New denture wearers develop sores and gum pain which can end after a while or can last a lifetime especially if the denture is poor fitting. The bone and gums shrink over the years and dentures can become loose, therefore need to be relined or replaced. Upper dentures seem to stay in place better due to the suction we gain from the roof of the mouth, however lower dentures are another story. On the lower arch we do not get the same suction, there is less of a foundation, and the movement of the tongue prevents the lower denture from staying in place most of the time. If you choose to get dentures we would recommend that you consult your dentist about an over-denture on the lower jaw. This consist of having dental implants placed on the lower arch which then attaches to the denture keeping it stable and more comfortable.

We highly recommend that you save your natural teeth if possible. Always remember you will never have another set of teeth like your own and a denture is the last resort one should take.  If you’re concerned how well your teeth will respond to the periodontal surgery and there longevity you should get a second opinion to help you make the best decision for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Problems with ClearChoice

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A ClearChoice representative did a presentation at our senior center, and I was really impressed. I made an appointment for a consultation at a ClearChoice Dental Implant Center. I came away from that appointment really confused! Maybe you can help make things more understandable.

The representative I spoke with at the clinic said that they would want to remove all of my upper teeth. I have two dental implants that were done by my previous dentist (he retired) and a dental bridge that I am completely happy with. At most I think I would need two dental implants in my upper arch. If I do it their way, I am throwing away thousands of dollars I already spent!

They were really pushing hard to book the surgery at that consultation appointment, which just put me off. I don’t like to be rushed! They just seemed to have an all or nothing approach that did not take into consideration my individual circumstances at all. I did schedule another appointment with them, but am thinking about cancelling it. They spent way more time explaining the financing options than they did the details of the procedure itself! Basically it was, “Oh, we’ll just remove everything and do implants, and here are all the options to pay for it…”

Is this typical? So much of what you read indicates that they are the top of the line in dental implants, but their approach was a real turn-off.

Camilla in San Francisco, CA

Dear Camilla,

A trend in emerging in letters we receive about prospective ClearChoice patients. The treatment plan is almost always “extract all the remaining teeth and do all-on-four dental implants”. Almost every letter also mirrors yours in the discomfort with the level of sales pressure put on in the initial appointments, and the feelings of being rushed into treatment.

These reports make ClearChoice sound like they are not as focused on health care provision as they are on marketing. That is unfortunate. As everyone knows, there is never a “one size fits all” approach to medical or dental treatment. A second opinion on your case would definitely be in order. Can you still contact your retired dentist? If you are happy with the work he or she did, they may have excellent recommendations about who you should see now.

Support for this blog post is provided by the dental office of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.