Tag Archives: affordabe dentist high quality Plano TX

If I get an affordable dentist does that mean the service will be substandard?

Can you give me some advice on an affordable dentist? We have a family of 6 and no dental insurance. My husband’s job provides medical insurance only and our 22 year old daughter has had a toothache for about 2 months now. We know she needs a root canal but we want it done right. And we don’t want a dentist who is just going to insist on pulling the tooth because we don’t have insurance. I have already been to an affordable dentist who I thought was disrespectful when I needed 2 dental fillings. They didn’t overcharge me. I just don’t like the way I was treated and now one of the fillings is getting loose. Now I’m wondering if some steps were left out and I got a substandard filling. I’m really concerned about my daughter now. I want a dentist who is affordable and will do a good job on her tooth. Am I asking for too much? Thanks. Sara T.

Sara – You’re not asking for too much. You can find an affordable dentist who gives quality care. Although you can ask for quotes by phone, you have to know what services each quote includes so you can make a good comparison. An estimate might give you an idea of each dentist’s fees, though.

A dentist’s fees vary based on the dentist’s skill, location, and the quality of materials used. Sometimes super-low rates involve using cheaper materials and shortcuts in procedures. If the cost for your daughter’s root canal treatment is significantly lower than other dentists in the area, it might not be a high-quality procedure. If shoddy work is done on her tooth, the root canal will need to be repeated, and she might lose the tooth altogether.

Select a few high-quality dentists. Ask friends for recommendations. Ask each dental office what is done to provide affordable care to patients who don’t have dental insurance. Payment plans or financing might be an option to help your family get affordable dental care.

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

 

 

How do I find an affordable dentist to replace my dentures?

I just got new dentures 3 months ago. I thought I was done, but now I need to find an affordable dentist to replace my dentures. The upper dentures fit great but the lower dentures are very loose and regularly come off. Is this normal? I can’t even eat soft foods like applesauce and yogurt without dislodging them. The place I got the dentures from is one of those mega denture centers. I was treated quite rudely on all of my 4 attempts to get them to do something about these loose dentures. I refuse to be insulted when I have paid for a product and service. A close friend of mine is a consumer protection attorney and I am thinking about getting her help to get my money back. Meanwhile I still have to get dentures that fit. My budget doesn’t allow me to pay out of pocket right away, so I need to find an understanding dentist who is going to work with me on this issue. I feel awful about this, but I feel that I don’t have a lot of options. How do I begin to find an affordable dentist who will work with me on paying for new dentures? Thanks. Jeanne

Jeanne – We are sorry to hear about the difficulty you have experienced with your transition to dentures. Be assured that you can find an affordable dentist to help you.

It is not normal for new lower dentures to regularly come off. If they do come off regularly, either they were not properly fit initially, or previous to receiving dentures, you may have experienced jawbone shrinkage, which would make it difficult to keep a denture in.

You should speak with your new dentist about the problem. It is possible that your dentures need to be relined or even remade. You can contact a few cosmetic dentists in your area and ask about financial arrangements for financing or payment plans. Schedule a consultation with at least two of the dentists. Cosmetic dentists provide natural-looking dentures that fit well.

If you have experienced jawbone shrinkage, bone grafting can build your bone back up so that it can support a denture. Affordable dental implants can be used to stabilize your dentures and prevent further jawbone shrinkage. When your dentures are secured with dental implants, it will be easier to eat and speak with them.

If won’t be difficult to find an affordable dentist who will understand your circumstances and help you get the dental care you need.

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

Did I get ripped off by an affordable dentist?

I did a lot of research to find an affordable dentist. My dental insurance expired in March because my hours were cut to part-time work. I don’t mind paying out of pocket but I guess this is not at all what I was expecting. When I got to the dentist I needed digital x-rays. The hygienist told me that it looks like I have gum disease, so I needed a deep cleaning. The dentist found 2 teeth that he says needs porcelain inlays, and I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks. I am beginning to wonder if this dentist is trying to line her pockets a little thicker. What about this dental visit says this is really an affordable dentist? Last night I started thinking about switching dentists but I am concerned that the new dentist will want to repeat some of the same work I had done already and it will cost me even more money. Should I have left the office when they told me I needed a deep cleaning?  Thanks Rozalia

Rozalia,

There are many variables in the cost of dental care, including the cost of living and operating a business in a certain area, an individual dentist’s fees, and how that dentist makes treatment affordable. Affordability may be offered in the form of lower fees for treatment, but it can also be provided through payment plans or financing.

A deep dental cleaning is not uncommon. A buildup of tartar, inflamed gums, or periodontal disease will prompt a conscientious hygienist to complete a deep cleaning. Scaling and root planing are completed to ensure that plaque beneath your gumline is removed. This will help your gum tissue adhere to your tooth roots and ensure your teeth are stable. Otherwise, your teeth can loosen. Although you should have been given a reason for the deep periodontal cleaning, ask your dental hygienist why he or she thought it was necessary.

X-rays are a routine part of ensuring your teeth and the cavities of your mouth are in good condition. A panoramic x-ray examines your teeth, mouth, and jaw. It is taken every few years. Bite-wing x-rays assist your dentist with early detection of cavities, and they are taken yearly.

Depending on the previous dates of your dental cleanings and x-rays, the dental care you received was likely routine. Ask your dentist why she is recommending porcelain inlays instead of composite fillings. Carefully consider the reason inlays are recommended. In the long term, they may last longer than fillings in the teeth would.

You will likely receive reasonable explanations for the diagnosis and treatment. If you decide to switch to a new dentist, ask for fee estimates, and inquire about what that particular practice does to make dentistry affordable for its patients.

 

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

Need an affordable dentist that does great work

I love my dentist. He is great for cleanings, fillings, etc., but I don’t trust him to do my cosmetic dentistry work. I asked him about training in cosmetic dentistry, but he really doesn’t have much. He referred me to a colleague in a nearby town, but this dentist is way on the upper end for cost. I need too much work done to pay that much. I don’t know any cosmetic dentists. I know I can do an internet search to find one, but do you have any suggestions on how I find an affordable dentist that really does great work? – Maya

Maya – If you know friends who have had cosmetic dentistry, you can ask for recommendations for a dentist who does high-quality work. You may also consider asking neighbors, workmates, or other contacts if they have recommendations.

During your Internet searches, find out what training the dentist received in cosmetic dentistry, where it was received, and what credentials he or she has. Also consider how much experience the dentist has in cosmetic dentistry and whether or not he or she stays current through continuing education. Check for a smile gallery of before-and-after pictures on the dentist’s website. These considerations will help determine if the dentist produces high-quality results.

For your concerns about finding an affordable dentist, the website should indicate whether the dentist accepts insurance, or offers payment plans or financing.  He or she may offer to do the work in phases to make it more affordable for you. You can call the dentist’s office for specific information.

Keep in mind that high-quality costs more. It’s true of most goods and services, and that’s often because it costs more for the provider of the services or goods to purchase or provide high-quality services or products. So even though the services you receive can be make affordable for you, expect to pay a little more than average if you want outstanding cosmetic dentistry.

After you have a few dentists you would like to consider, schedule consultation appointments, to help make your final decision.

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