Category Archives: Affordable Dentistry

Affordable Dentistry

3 Things to Consider When Getting an Affordable Dental Crown

A dental crown protects a badly damaged tooth. Left untreated, the tooth can become infected and eventually need to be extracted. But is it possible to find an affordable crown that will last?

Depending on your dentist and where you live in the U.S., the cost of a dental crown can vary. But the average cost is $800-$1800. If you have dental insurance, your insurance company can provide you with the average cost of a crown in your area.

What about an Affordable Dental Crown?

The purpose of a dental crown is to protect a tooth. Several steps are involved:

  • Your natural tooth must be precisely shaved to ensure the crown covers it.
  • Accurate impressions of your natural tooth need to be taken to ensure the crown fits and doesn’t disturb adjacent teeth.
  • The crown must be correctly bonded to your natural tooth to ensure it is stable and doesn’t hurt when you bite down.
  • The way your teeth fit together—your bite—must be properly measured.

If your goal is to find an affordable dentist, your choice should not be based solely on cost. If a dentist takes shortcuts or gives you a cheap crown, the results can be costly in time, your oral health, and money.

Before-and-after photos of porcelain crowns, which are available from Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
An affordable crown should still look natural

What Are the Risks?

A cheap dental crown can result in several problems, including:

  1. Your bite – If your bite is off, it can put too much pressure on the crown and cause it to crack. You’ll have to spend time and money getting another crown.
  2. Complications – TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues can result from can bite can cause jaw, head, ear, and neck pain. TMJ treatment can include therapy and a nighttime mouthguard, both of which will cause additional expense.
  3. Improper bonding –  If proper bonding techniques are not used, the crown can come off. The crown can be lost, or you’ll need an additional appointment for re-bonding. You could need a new crown.

What’s Next?

Don’t act hastily. Ask friends and family members for a recommendation of a dentist. Many people have dental crowns, and someone you know might have received a quality crown from a skilled dentst. An affordable dentist will work with your budget through payment plans or financing to ensure you can pay for treatment. But avoid cheap dentistry. It puts your oral health at risk.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Affordable Dentistry

Five Ways to Find Affordable Dentistry and Get Quality Results

Photo for affordable dentistry, which families often need. Pictured are a mother holding her daughter in her left arm and a shopping bag on her right arm, and a father holding his son in his right arm, and a map in his left hand. They are outdoors in downtown area.

I feel like the term “affordable dentist” is only used to attract patients. I wasn’t able to get dental insurance until September of last year and I have quite a few issues with my teeth, and so does my oldest son. The first dental office I visited for my own care proposed a treatment plan with an estimated cost of $10,000.

I’m a working father with a family of five, and I don’t have that kind of money. So I thanked them for their time and began searching for another dentist who is less expensive.

So far, the dentists I’ve found who advertise low-cost dentistry don’t have great reviews. And, the dentists I’ve had consultations with have way too many patients in the waiting area. Considering the amount of dental work I need, I want to develop a real relationship with the dentist and feel comfortable.

How can I find a dentist who actually does good work and doesn’t have unusually high fees?

Thanks. Jonah

Jonah,

Your situation is very common, but a change in perspective can help.

It may seem that services offered by dentists are all the same whether you need a dental crown, deep cleaning, or more extensive work. However, each dentist has a unique approach.

When Affordable Dentistry Is Cheap in Quality

From the dentist’s perspective, ways to reduce costs are limited. Some options include:

  • Acquiring a large amount of patients but limiting the time spent with each of them
  • Using cheaper materials
  • Controlling the payroll budget by having a smaller or less-experienced team
  • Limiting amenities available in the office.

Each of the above factors would affect your experience or outcome as a patient. Sacrificing quality to cut costs is not beneficial for you, so it’s often best to avoid offices that use those options solely to save money.

Ways to Find a Quality Affordable Dentist

  1. Find an office that will provide dental care in phases based on your budget.
  2. Explore financing options, either through an in-house program offered by the dental office or a financing company like CareCredit.
  3. If you don’t have a dental insurance plan, consider getting one. Consider obtaining a secondary insurance plan too. It’s possible to get a PPO plan for $40-50 per month, but be aware of wait periods for pre-existing conditions.
  4. Review the dentist’s credentials and experience—specifically in the areas that you need care. And look for an online smile gallery of photos of the dentist’s work.
  5. Carefully check patient reviews online.
  6. Begin by addressing the dental issue that has the highest priority. Your dentist will explain the order of priority. The longer you let an issue go untreated, the more expensive it will become to treat.
  7. Speak with the dental office about how your insurance benefits work, and ask for help determining if there are ways to maximize your benefits.

A great office will help you find ways to make dental care affordable, even if your care is completed a little at a time.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy, a Plano dentist who makes quality care more affordable.

Affordable Dentistry

What Should You Know about Cheap Dental Crowns?

Last November, I was happy to find a dentist who made it affordable for me to get a badly need root canal and crown. The root canal went find, but the crown looks horrible. It’s difficult for me to settle with the crown because it’s on my front tooth. Despite 3 attempts, my dentist can’t seem to provide me with a crown that matches my natural tooth. Both of us are frustrated. None of my immediate family members have every received a crown, and I’m uncomfortable asking my friends if they have one. I am wondering if this is a normal experience to have so much difficult matching a crown to natural teeth. Thanks. Ying Yue

Ying Yue,

It’s good that you’re questioning the color match for your crown. Out of frustration, many patients just accept the mismatch and try to manage with the disappointment. Unfortunately, issues often occur when fees for dental care are unusually low.

The High Cost of Cheap Dentistry

A crown on a front tooth should perfectly match your adjacent teeth. Otherwise, the restored tooth will be noticeable and detract from your smile. Although a dental restoration might be affordable, if it doesn’t look natural, it can affect your self-confidence and how you express yourself through your smile. And it can cost even more money in the long term.

Natural-Looking Crowns Are Possible

Unfortunately, your experience is common because it requires time, effort, and skill to provide a front-tooth crown that perfectly matches your natural teeth. Several factors are involved.

  • Skill and artistic talent of the dentist – A cosmetic dentist understands how porcelain can be manipulated to match your natural teeth. He or she also has advanced training in the art of cosmetic dentistry. Dental schools don’t teach much about how to provide restorations that capture variations in tooth color and translucency. Cosmetic dentists also have artistic inclination and can ensure a crown reflects the characteristics of your teeth.
  • Dentist and laboratory tech relationship – A cosmetic dentist uses a highly skilled laboratory technician with whom the dentist regularly communicates. Tooth color and characteristics are provided to ensure your crown perfectly matches your natural teeth.
  • High-quality photography – Dental photographs that are taken with advanced camera equipment correctly capture the shade and shape of your teeth. A dental shade tab is held next to your natural teeth and photographed. The dentist’s ceramist will use the photograph to match the crown with your teeth. If the ceramist provides a crown that isn’t a perfect match, the crown is placed over your tooth and another photograph is taken to show the difference in color between the crown and your natural teeth. The ceramist will use the photo to craft a new crown that matches. A typical family dentist doesn’t have advanced photography equipment to capture the details required for a lifelike crown.
  • Try-ins – Before a crown is permanently bonded to your tooth, several try-ins might be required to ensure a perfect match.

Although a dentist who has unusually low fees for a dental crown can provide you with an affordable restoration, the results might not look natural—as you have experienced.

As the before-and-after photos show, it is possible to place a crown and achieve a beautiful match to your natural teeth.

Before-and-after photos of porcelain crowns, which are available from Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

What Are Your Options?

  • Do nothing – You can choose to live with your dental crown as it is.
  • Speak with your dentist – You can speak with your dentist about your dissatisfaction and your desire to get a second opinion.
  • Choose a cosmetic dentist – Seek a dentist with advanced training in cosmetic dentistry. Check the dentist’s website, or ask about his or her training. Ask to see before-and-after pictures of dental crowns—on front teeth—for actual patients of the dentist. Some patients schedule consultations with two different cosmetic dentists and compare the recommendations.
  • Choose quality over cost – Although you sought an affordable price for a dental crown, the results are costing more time and money. As you look for a cosmetic dentist to correct the flawed work, consider choosing quality over cost. There are ways to make your dental care affordable without sacrificing quality. Speak with your new dentist about payment plans or financing.

 This post is sponsored by Plano, TX cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Affordable Dentistry

Does my composite filling hurt because my dentist did a cheap job?

I have a young enthusiastic dentist whose treatment is really affordable. I’ve been a patient for almost 3 years and have been pleased with her gentle care and treatment. In mid-September, I had 3 small fillings filled with flowable resin-based composites. These fillings have been a problem ever since I received them. Whenever I chew hard crunchy food, like dark chocolate covered toffee, which I love, I get sharp pains. It doesn’t last long, but toffee takes some time to chew, so the pain repeats itself. It happens with other hard crunchy food, too.

Of course, I have mentioned the issue to my dentist. In late October, at no cost to me, she replaced the fillings with the same composites, but I still have pain that is pretty much at the same level as the first fillings. This pain does not occur when I clench my teeth together – only with hard crunchy food.

I’ve read a few dental articles online about this issue with small fillings and learned that before placing the flowable composite, self-etching primers or a glass ionomer base might help. Does my dentist not know this because she is young, or might she be skipping the step to make this dental procedure affordable? Does using this base sound reasonable, and is it a no-no for me to ask my dentist about her technique? Thanks. Sunni

Sunni – The sensitivity that commonly occurs with flowable resin-based composites in small fillings, as opposed to larger ones, seems to be related to bonding the filling to the dentin of the tooth.

We won’t suggest that your dentist isn’t using the base just to make dental care affordable. It is possible that she is unaware of the benefits of using self-etching primers or a glass ionomer base. Or, she might typically have success without using a base under flowable fillings.

What’s Next?

Below are two options to consider.

Vertical before-and-after composite filling photos. The top photo shows three lower molar teeth with silver fillings, and in the bottom photo, they are replaced with composite.
Properly bonded composite fillings look and feel great

  • Schedule an appointment with your dentist to have the fillings replaced again. Before she starts the work, insist on a glass ionomer base to protect the dentin. The composite will be bonded to the base, not the dentin, and you should have relief when you chew hard crunchy foods. If your dentist refuses to apply the base, you can refuse further treatment.
  • Find an experienced cosmetic dentist to replace the fillings. He or she will know how to prepare your tooth to ensure flowable composite doesn’t cause any discomfort when you chew. And keep in mind that regardless of which type of composite a skilled cosmetic dentist uses, the results will function well and look natural. No critical steps will be skipped to keep costs down.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy doesn’t take shortcuts to make dental care affordable. She provides high-quality care and offers payment options to help you get the care you need.

Affordable Dentistry

Affordable Dentist Gave Me a Bad Crown

I feel embarrassed about this, but I answered an online ad from an affordable dentist who offered crowns at a reduced rate. He said he had just ordered a new machine that let him make crowns in his office and he wanted to practice on a few people for a much lower fee than usual. I was delaying a visit for a crown because of the expense, so I took the offer. I was in his dental office for five hours. He kept having issues with the machine and the crown wouldn’t fit right. Eventually, he came back. Shaved my tooth down more, went back to the machine a few times and finally got the crown to fit.

This all just happened last week and my tooth is sore. Actually, my whole mouth is sore, but that particular tooth is especially worrisome. Could he have done permanent damage? And, if he did, am I mostly on my own because he was learning how to use the crown machine and disclosed that in advance? – Maggie

Maggie,

It sounds like you had quite an ordeal. It is best to schedule an appointment with the dentist and let him know what you’re experiencing. Teeth can get irritated when they are repeatedly worked on. The repeated try-on of the crown no doubt caused some irritation.

Possible Resolutions for Low-Quality Affordable Dental Care

  • If it’s basic irritation, it will clear up in a few days.
  • You can take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen to help you through.
  • There is a possibility it won’t get better on its own. It’s possible that before you received the crown, decay had already affected it and the tooth needs a root canal now. Or, you might need a root canal because the tooth was traumatized during treatment.

What’s Next?

Ultimately, the dentist is responsible for the treatment he provided, even if he promoted himself as an affordable dentist or told you he was learning how to use the crown milling machine. If the dentist is ethical, he will want to know you’re experiencing issues, and he will want to correct them. If the dentist isn’t agreeable, or if he fails to remedy the issue, you’ll need to see another dentist for a second opinion on the dental crown.

The before-and-after photos below show how an experienced cosmetic dentist can beautifully enhance your smile with porcelain crowns. The patient’s left lateral incisor (right side facing your computer screen) was too small. A porcelain crown was used to cover the tooth and match the surrounding teeth.

Before-and-after photos of porcelain crowns, which are available from Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Finding a Trustworthy Affordable Dentist

In the future, seek an affordable dentist out who focuses on providing quality services and finds ways to help make them fit your budget. Some ways to make dental care affordable include:

  • Scheduling treatment in phases to spread out costs or maximize insurance benefits
  • Financing treatment
  • Offering various treatment options at varying costs

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy, a Plano affordable dentist.

Affordable Dentistry

Affordable Dentist for Porcelain Veneers vs. Press-On Veneers

Closeup, head-and-shoulders photo of a brunette woman smiling with her head slightly tilted back; for information on Plano affordable dentistry and cosmetic dentistry options.
An affordable and experienced cosmetic dentist has different techniques to enhance your smile

Looking for an affordable dentist for cosmetic work? In the hands of an artistic cosmetic dentist, a smile makeover with porcelain veneers can be stunning. But if you’re on a budget, are press-on veneers a good alternative?

Five considerations for porcelain veneers from an affordable dentist vs. press on veneers

  1. Porcelain veneers process – When you receive porcelain veneers, your dentist prepares your teeth for the veneers, takes impressions of your teeth, and the veneers are made by a dental lab. The veneers are made of porcelain.
  2. Press-on veneers process – You will need impressions of your teeth to receive press-on veneers, but they fit over your teeth without preparation from a dentist, similar to a Snap-On Smile. The veneers are made of plastic resin.
  3. A comparison of the aesthetics – Porcelain has properties that can make your veneers look and feel like natural teeth. Plastic resin, which press-on veneers are made of, often looks bulky and fake. Also, the shape of your teeth won’t look natural.
  4. The cost – Press-on veneers are relatively inexpensive and can cost a few hundred dollars. Depending on where you live in the U.S., porcelain veneers can cost $1000 or more per veneer, but the results will be stunning and lasting.
  5. Long-term results – Depending on how well you take care of them, porcelain veneers can last 15 to 20 years or longer. If worn every day, press-on veneers will wear out quickly. A warranty for press-on veneers is usually for three to twelve months.

What Are the Options to Achieve a Beautiful Smile?

Teeth whitening

Most people want a bright smile. That can often be achieved with teeth whitening. If your teeth are in good shape, whitening them can rejuvenate your smile.

Dental bonding

If your teeth have chips or cracks or are uneven, dental bonding can repair and shape them. A skilled cosmetic dentist has the tools and materials in his or her office to provide bonding that matches the color and characteristics of your natural teeth. Your teeth can be whitened before you receive dental bonding, and bonding will be applied to match your bright smile.

Porcelain veneers

If you want a long-lasting smile makeover, porcelain veneers produce beautiful results. An expert cosmetic dentist can determine if you need veneers on a single tooth, multiple teeth, or all the teeth that show when you smile. At times, a combination of dental treatments can prevent you from needing as many porcelain veneers as you think.

Schedule a Consultation

Find an experienced cosmetic dentist to discuss your treatment options and how the treatment you need can be made affordable for you. Affordable dentistry isn’t cheap dentistry. Your dentist will work with you and provide payment options.

In Plano, TX, Dr. Miranda Lacy is an affordable dentist who produces high-quality cosmetic work. Schedule a consultation with her to discuss your options.

 

Affordable Dentistry

Looking for an affordable dentist to remove my porcelain veneers

How can I find an affordable dentist to do some cosmetic work for me? I had gaps between my front teeth so about 7 years ago, I got porcelain veneers to cover the gaps. I wasn’t sold on them when I first got them, but now they are really bothering me. I want them off and I want to get bonding instead. Kaila

Kaila

It’s unfortunate that you haven’t liked your porcelain veneers from the start. If veneers aren’t placed by an expert cosmetic dentist, some patients dislike the look so much that want them removed.

Can an Affordable Dentist Remove Porcelain Veneers?

Whether or not porcelain veneers can be removed can only be determined when your dentist begins to remove them. If your teeth were not prepared, or shaved, before the veneers were bonded to them, then the veneers can be removed. Your teeth will need to be polished to restore their appearance. If the teeth were shaved, your veneers can only be replaced with new ones. In either case, you want the expertise of a skilled cosmetic dentist. You can speak with the dentist about how the change can be made affordable for you.

What about Direct Bonding?

Small- to medium-sized gaps can be filled with direct bonding. Again, find an experienced cosmetic dentist to either have new veneers replaced or to receive the bonding. Most dentists lack the artistic inclination to give you beautiful cosmetic results.

You’re local to our office, which is in Plano, so you should know that Dr. Lacy is a cosmetic dentist and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her experience in porcelain veneers and dental bonding will give you a beautiful smile. She makes dentistry affordable by providing financing and payment plans.

This blog post is sponsored by Plano female cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Affordable Dentistry

Is this affordable dentist trying to trick me?

 

I’m left feeling a bit disenchanted after a visit to a so-called “affordable dentist.” I had a small cavity developing. I’ve known it was there for some time, but my finances didn’t allow me to take care of it right away. The tooth started to bother me a little and I knew I needed to get the cavity taken care of. Anyway, I already knew the size and scope of the job to be done, so I called around and got pricing on it. One guy bragged about his low rates and he did indeed undercut the others by about $100. That’s no small thing for me. I’m on a fixed income. In any case, I went to the guy to have the filling done. He told me I don’t qualify for the price they quoted me on the phone. He says I need a crown, which now puts me hundreds of dollars over my budget.

I feel like I’ve been misled. I’m considering going for a second opinion, but I also don’t want to pay for another exam and x-rays if what he’s saying is legit. Is there a way to know if he’s being upfront about costs without paying someone else to confirm it?

Thanks,

Jake

 

Dear Jake,

It’s very hard to find a quality dentist. Oftentimes, when you find someone bragging about how their rates are ultra-low and they undercut others by a significant amount, there’s a reason behind it… and not usually a good one. Because you went into it with the mindset of choosing the cheapest dentist, it’s not surprising that you also don’t trust him to be honest and upfront. We all like a bargain, but when it comes to healthcare, the two rarely mix. He may be being honest and giving you a fair assessment. The fact that your tooth hurts now and it didn’t before suggests that the cavity has progressed, so it’s entirely possible the treatment you were initially prescribed is no longer enough to repair your tooth. That said, there are criteria you can use to find an affordable dentist.

How to Find an Affordable Dentist

Custom Plans: Search for someone who listens to you and offers options. There are often several solutions at varying price points.

Payment Plans: Some offer payment plans. It’s rare to find a place that does in-house financing, but you may find a dentist who accepts CareCredit, which typically has no finance charges for a period of time.

Discounts: It sounds like you’re working without insurance and paying for services on your own. Some offices will extend discounts to those who pay in cash.

If You Don’t Trust Your Dentist, Get a Second Opinion

If you’re like most people, you’ll probably have doubts and want to confirm the diagnosis. To make it more affordable, ask for a copy of your x-ray and take it with you to your consultation, so you can save money.

If you truly trust your dentist, you’ll know you’re getting the best care possible, and that the dentist is doing everything he or she can to help keep your smile healthy and stay within your budget.

This blog is sponsored by Plano affordable dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

Affordable Dentistry

Can an affordable dentist do anything about painful wisdom teeth?

Can an affordable dentist do anything about wisdom teeth? My wisdom teeth didn’t bother me when I was in my teens. Now I’m 33 years old and they are starting to hurt. I don’t do well at dentist’s office. I’m sure I have a phobia and I’ve been dentist hopping for the past 3 years. I’ve never let the same dentist clean my teeth for than twice. It seems like they usually find something wrong with my teeth, so I just move on to the next person so I won’t feel any pressure. My wisdom teeth are starting to concern me because the gums around both bottom teeth are started to swell and they do hurt. The top wisdom teeth don’t hurt every day, but I feel pain several times a week. Is this something an affordable dentist can? I have a new job and I have to wait 6 months for dental coverage. Also, how much pain should I expect? Jada

Jada – If you have swollen gums around your wisdom teeth and they hurt, you should see a dentist right away. It sounds as if your wisdom teeth are infected.

It’s not that the dentist will be able to extract the teeth, but he or she will examine your teeth, temporarily relieve the pain, and let you know your treatment options. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, or if a difficult removal is anticipated, you will be referred to an oral surgeon.

Ask about Options for Affordable Dental Care

When you call the office, you can ask about financial arrangements and how the dentist can make treatment affordable for you. Ask the same questions if you are referred to an oral surgeon.  Payment plans and financing are often available.

Reasons to Visit a Dentist for Painful Wisdom Teeth

It’s important to have your painful wisdom teeth examined by an emergency dentist right away. There are several reasons:

  • They can cause other teeth to shift.
  • As teeth shift, it can make it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene.
  • Additional infections can occur and lead to root canal treatment for those teeth

Oral surgeons are skilled at keeping pain and discomfort to a minimum with sedation dentistry. Most patients don’t feel any pain during the extraction process. Discomfort after oral surgery is managed with prescribed painkillers. Be certain to follow post-care instructions.

Before you visit an emergency dentist, take some time to check his or her credentials and experience.

This post is sponsored by affordable Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

 

 

 

Affordable Dentistry

I need an affordable dentist for implant dentures

Last year I received dentures from an affordable dentist. I am worried now because they won’t stay in even though I use adhesive. I think my bone is shrinking in addition to the fact that the dentures are low quality. I am certain that soon I won’t be able to wear dentures. This has already created some very embarrassing moment for me that I have tried to laugh off or joke about when I really wanted to cry. What can I do?  I’m afraid that I won’t be able to afford dental implants, which is a huge problem if the dentures won’t stay in. Is there another way? Thanks. Connie

Diagram of a lower snap-on denture for information on Plano TX affordable dentistry from Dr. Miranda Lacy.
An affordable dentist can provide snap-on dentures

Connie – We sympathize with you. When all of your teeth are missing, eventually the jawbone shrinks, because the body senses that the jawbone is no longer needed to support your teeth. The minerals from the jawbone are resorbed and used elsewhere in your body. You are experiencing jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse. At some point, as you have already discerned, you will no longer be able to wear dentures. But you have some options.

Affordable Dentist Options

You can find an affordable dentist who offers implant dentures at a competitive price. Most dentists offer payment plans and financing.

  • The first step is bone grafting to rebuild the missing jawbone. After you receive bone grafting and your jawbone heals, dental implants can be placed.
  • The more implants you have, the more stable the dentures will be, and they will function better. Dental implants help prevent jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse.
  • You can also receive complete removable dentures again. But be aware that in another twenty years or so, you will experience the same problem with facial collapse.
  • Find a cosmetic dentist to provide you with natural-looking dentures.

You can schedule consultations with at least two dentists who are experienced with dentures and dental implants. You want quality implant fixtures and quality placement of the implants to prevent complications that will cost even more money to correct. Ask each dentist how dental implants and dentures can be made affordable for you.

This blog post is sponsored by Plano female cosmetic dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.