Tag Archives: Plano affordable dentist

Which is more affordable? Porcelain veneers or dental bonding for peg laterals?

I know porcelain veneers are not cheap, but I also read that applying dental bonding takes a lot of time for cosmetic dentists to do and it can be expensive. I have 2 peg laterals and want to know which is more affordable and which I should really get. Thanks. Pam

Pam – Dental bonding is more affordable than porcelain veneers. But what you really need to know is what treatment is best for your case.

An examination and diagnostic studies from an experienced cosmetic dentist will help determine your options. The least expensive option may not give you the best, longest-lasting results. It may wear with time and need to be replaced.

Teeth can be widened and lengthened with cosmetic bonding. This technique requires skill, experience, and artistic talent on the part of a cosmetic dentist. It can be completed in one visit. Quality dental bonding can last ten years or more if it is properly maintained. Bonding stains and discolors faster than porcelain veneers and crowns. It will need to be polished periodically and replaced occasionally.

Porcelain crowns cover the entire tooth surface from the gumline to the biting surface. Porcelain can be mixed and manipulated to reflect the color, characteristics, and translucency of natural teeth. A cosmetic dentist along with his or her master ceramist can produce beautiful results.

Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front of teeth. Light preparation of the teeth may be required to prevent the veneers from looking bulky or too large. Veneers can last 15 to 20 years or longer. They are stain resistant.

Schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic to discuss your options. If you want to proceed with treatment, an exam and x-rays will be required to assess the condition of your teeth and the preferred treatment options.

Your cosmetic dentist will discuss how the treatment you choose can be made affordable for you.

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

Can’t afford a dentist so how often should I change my toothbrush to keep my mouth healthy?

What I really mean is that I can’t afford a dentist right now. I have some other health issues that are taking priority and my dental coverage is really, really limited. I need to do what I can to keep my mouth clean while I am not at the dentist. How often should I change my toothbrush? Thanks Dean

Dean – You should change your toothbrush every three to four months. Before and after you use it, you should thoroughly rinse it to remove debris and excess toothpaste.

Your toothbrush should not be stored in a covered container. The moisture can breed mold and bacteria on your toothbrush.

In addition to changing your toothbrush regularly, be certain to brush your teeth twice a day. Floss daily, too. Limit sugary foods and snacks, and if you eat them, rinse your mouth with water to reduce the amount of acid in your mouth. Acid weakens tooth enamel.

See a dentist as soon as you can. Keep in mind that there are many dentists who will work with your budget to make dental cleanings and exams affordable for you.

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

Need affordable options to replace 2 teeth

I have 2 lower teeth missing. The spaces are embarrassing. I to have a dentist fix my teeth but I don’t want to go into debt trying to do it. I just want to get a feel for what my options are before a dentist tries to sell me something I don’t need or can’t afford. Thank you. Lynn

Lynn – The least expensive way to replace a missing tooth is with a partial denture. An acrylic tooth that is bonded to a gum colored base is used. You can receive metal clasps to wrap around the adjacent teeth to keep the partial denture in place. A partial denture is removable.

The next option is a dental bridge. Each tooth on either side of the missing one is shaved enough to so that a dental crown will fit over it. The replacement tooth is suspended between the two crowns.

The most effective option, and also the most expensive option, is a dental implant. A titanium stem is surgically implanted in your jawbone, and when your gum heals around the jawbone, a crown is secured to it.

Depending on how well you take care of it, a partial denture can last several years and a dental bridge can last five to ten years. Although a dental implant costs more, it will last a lifetime.

Discuss your options with a dentist who is trained in cosmetic dentistry. A cosmetic dentist will give you the most natural-looking results possible, based on which treatment you choose. He or she will let you know how replacing your teeth can be made affordable for you.

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

How can I find a more affordable rate for dental care?

I need a few crowns and some other dental work and I got a quote that is almost $2000 dollars. This is not reasonable to me. How can I find a more affordable rate? Dean

Dean – You didn’t mention where you live, exactly how many crowns you need, and what other work needs to be completed, but the price you mentioned doesn’t necessary sound unreasonable, especially if it is being done by an expert cosmetic dentist.

Your location has an effect on the cost of dental care, just as the cost of food or gasoline varies from one part of the country to the next. If you want a second opinion, you can visit a cosmetic dentist for an exam and estimate.

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

Cheap dental care for a broken tooth

My tooth broke during a soccer game and I need some help. I have dental insurance but not a lot of money. Neither of my parents is around to help, so I am going to have to take care of this myself. My smile looks good. My teeth could be whiter. I just need to know some places where I can get cheap dental care and get my tooth fixed. Thanks. Alexis.

Alexis – You can get quality dental care to restore you tooth. Sometimes when we look for something cheap, the quality is not so good. When dental care for teeth is cheap, it is likely that the restoration of your teeth won’t last, and you would have to get the work done over again.

So find a cosmetic dentist who can restore your tooth with a quality, natural-looking crown. People won’t be able to tell your tooth was broken. You can also get your teeth whitened. Many dentists offer payment plans or financing so that you can fit the dental care in your budget.

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

Looking for quality affordable dentistry in Mexico

Hi. I need some extensive dental work done. I have priced some local dentists and the costs are outrageous. Now I want to explore my options out of the U.S. Since Mexico is relatively close, I am starting there. How can I get quality dentistry there that I can afford? Thanks in advance. T.M.

T.M. – We do not at all recommend that you seek dental treatment in Mexico. You can get dental treatment at a lower cost there, but there are reasons for it.

Mexico has far fewer regulations on dentistry than the United States. Cleanliness, sterilization, malpractice insurance, and materials are left to the discretion of the dentist. There is no way to discern the quality of materials used in your mouth, nor is there a way to determine if proper sanitation is practiced to keep you free of unwanted germs and infection.

If there is a complaint, you will be able to file one through the government, but there is nothing in place to ensure that the work is corrected or that you are refunded.

We recommend that you speak with qualified dentists in the U.S. who offer financing or payment plans, or who make the work affordable for you by doing it in phases to spread out your payments. The limitations of your budget will be respected, and you will receive quality, regulated dentistry.

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

Why didn’t dentist ask me if I could afford this?

After my last dental cleaning, I was told that I needed 2 fillings. No problem. I made the appointment and returned last week for the fillings. While I was in the chair, the dentist said something about 4 fillings and another appointment for preparing my teeth for the crowns. I am certain that I was told that I needed only 2 fillings and nobody said anything to me about crowns. When I asked about it his response was sort of like with the condition of my teeth surely I knew that crowns were needed. Why wouldn’t this be discussed with me? I can’t afford this work any time soon. Is it common for work to be planned on a patient without discussing it with the patient? Sonja

Sonja – Any dental treatment planned or in progress should be thoroughly explained to you. In addition to recommended treatment, your options should be discussed with you.

If it’s necessary treatment, your dentist should be able to give you options as to how the treatment can be made affordable for you. Often treatment can be done in phases, or payment options can be discussed with you.

At this point, you should discuss your concerns with your dentist. If you are not satisfied with the response from your dentist, you can consider getting a second opinion.

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

Stinky teeth and headaches. Need to find cheapest dentist in town. Not a dental school please!

How can I find the cheapest dentist around my town without calling every office? I have at least 3 teeth that I know are rotten. They stink and give me headaches and they make my breath stink too. I need to cover them up withcaps and I have only a little dental insurance so I don’t want Lexus caps more like Ford Fiesta caps. Help please. L.Z.

L.Z. – You can get the treatment you need by finding a dentist who offers payment plans or financing to make your treatment affordable.

You can either ask friends and family members for recommendations, or you can find dentists by searching on the Internet for one who will give you natural-looking dental crowns, or caps, and who offers payment plans.

If it’s within your budget, consider having the work done in phases so that you can afford quality crowns that will look natural and last. If you receive inferior crowns, it may be that they will need to be replaced sooner than your budget allows.

Phasing the work and taking advantage of payment plans or financing will give you a long-lasting restoration for your teeth and be easy on your budget.

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

Looking for an affordable dentist

I need to have two crowns on my back, left molars. I have been looking online for an affordable dentist and I found your site but I live 6 hours from your office. How can I find one? – Lottie

Lottie – In the search box for your web browser, enter the name of your city and the words “affordable dentist” (example: Plano affordable dentist).

Include the name of your city and the word “dentist” in every search. Then include words such as “financing,” “payment plans,” or “no dental insurance.” You will be able to find a dentist who explains the options for your treatment, some of which may be more affordable for you. Or a dentist may be able to do your work in phases. Many dentists offer no-interest financing or payment plans.

If you don’t see the details for financial arrangements on a dentist’s website, call his or her office for more information. Be sure to find a dentist with cosmetic dentistry training. You get natural-looking results that will make the investment in your smell worthwhile. Best wishes on your search.

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

How much does sedation dentistry usually cost?

I’m planning on getting a lot of dental work done this fall and I want it with sedation. I’ve heard that most insurance companies won’t pay for the sedation. How much does the sedation cost? – Simone

Simone – There are different types of sedation dentistry or comfort dentistry. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you breathe in during treatment to help you relax.

Oral conscious sedation, the next level of sedation, involves taking a mild sedative in pill form. You will rest comfortably during treatment and you are unlikely to remember what happened during your appointment. Sedation medication can also be administered intravenously.

The cost of sedation depends, in part, on where in the U.S. the dentist is located, the type of sedation you receive, and the length of time it is needed for your dental procedure.

It is best to contact your dentist to find out the type of sedation used and an approximate cost. Contact your insurance provider to find out if any benefits for sedation dentistry are provided. If you will have out-of-pocket costs for sedation, your dentist may be able to make it affordable for you.

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