Suggestions for Patients : How to Save Money On Quality Dental Implants

Save Money On Quality Dental Implants

For missing teeth, dental implants are the most durable and pleasing-looking solution. But as they can cost thousands of dollars finding dentists for affordable implant procedures is an understandable priority and challenge for patients. Luckily, in the US, there is a range of options for patients with a variable budget, location constraints, and unavailability of preferred quality dentistry options. Patients need not just follow the referrals dished out by their general physician or even the local dentist. Here are some suggestions for patients for their specific needs as well as general importance.

1) When In Doubt, Compare

The best way to hedge against shady dental practices, over-charging dentists, painful results, and money down the drain is to search for the best rates and do the research. Break up the details of the fee, cost of required consultations, modeling, surgery, imaging (CT scans or x-rays), anesthesia, materials (post, abutment and crown) and any other procedures such as bone grafts and sinus lifts. A patient need not depend on a dentist to perform implant procedures. For quotes, they can find other qualified professionals such as oral surgeons and periodontists. Choosing a new dental practice can get you the service at a lower cost as the dentist would be willing to give a discount to build clientele and gain experience.

2) Widen Geographical Location

Geographical location can affect the cost of dental implants significantly. A simple solution to the problem of higher cost of operations of dentists, thus the higher price, in large cities and towns is to enlarge the search area and seek locations that are farther off. By searching a larger geographic area, the right dentist can be found by patients living in bigger cities.

3) Go Abroad

In the form of dental tourism, searching for low-cost dental implants is an emerging trend. Countries such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Hungary and many Asian nations offer treatment at prices that are far less than those prevalent in developed countries such as the US, the UK, and Canada. Travelling outside the country makes sense for serious cases requiring implant and crown placement at the same time. But as licensing standards and regulations in such countries can be a problem regarding reputation and credentials and reputation of dentists, dental tourism should be approached with research and caution. The Complete Guide to Dental Treatment Abroad has more details covering some of the most popular countries, risks, benefits, and also interviews with patients and dentists.

4) Dentistry Schools

A viable option is to take part in a dental implant clinic held at a dentistry school. The programs involve recently graduated dentistry school students, seeking practical experience, an opportunity to carry out dental implant procedures under the supervision of experienced dentists or dental surgeons. Some schools provide this service only to low-income individuals. This option will invariably involve multiple visits and inconvenient visiting hours – but you will save thousands of dollars while receiving quality service. Diagnosis and treatment assessed by several professors and students, whose experience can be used to get a second opinion. Some of the schools and programs that provide implants at reduced rates include University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Columbia University College of Dental Medicine; University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School; University of Florida College of Dentistry; and A.T. Still University School of Dentistry & Oral Health.

5) Charitable Organizations & Dental Societies

For low-income patients, some non-profit charitable organizations and dental societies provide discounted or free care during planned events. Then some associations offer free care for patients in particular demographic groups such as people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, children, and women. The online American Dental Association directory can be referred to for both county and state dental associations in its online directory.

6) Financing

Companies such as Care Credit offer finance for dental work – allowing a patient to get implants, and return monthly interest-driven payments. For a loan, one requires a reasonable credit score. As implants last long and don’t need future dental work, the financing the cost, despite the interest and fees, makes implants considerably affordable.

7) Discount Dental Plans

Patients can also explore membership-based discount dental plans. Patients pay monthly or yearly fees to avail discounts (between 10% to 60%) on dental care. Requirement includes using only affiliated dentists in the plan’s network though the discounts can reduce the total cost of an implant procedure by hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Here’s how one of our readers saved $3300 on his implants courtesy a dental discount plan.

8) Know the Alternatives

The main alternatives to dental implants for extracted or replacing missing teeth are partial dentures and bridges – especially when there are still workable abutment teeth to hold a bridge crown. They don’t last as long as implants, but dental bridges can be used for an average of 15 years if properly cared for. As bridges are fixed onto the abutment teeth, they are not removed for cleaning like full-mouth or partial dentures. But the problem with a dental bridge is that the bone in the jaw supporting the artificial teeth will thin out over time, leading to the failure of the bridge and crown.

9) Insurance Coverage

Usually, dental insurance carriers do not provide insurance for implants as it perceived as a cosmetic procedure. But some dental insurance carriers do offer to pay up to the cost of a similar but less expensive procedure such as partial or bridge dentures. Insurance coverage often includes procedures that correct functions that are affected by the pain caused by missing teeth. If only dental implants can treat your oral health problem, then your insurance will usually cover at least a part of it.

10) Plan Fundraising

What does one do when all the above options fail to resolve your problem of a low-price dental solution? You can consider creating a campaign to raise the resources using a website such as GoFundMe.com or Indiegogo.com, which are similar to Kickstarter – the most well-known crowd funding service. Set up a page and write a detailed and honest explanation of your situation. One can even create a video. A link can then be sent to your friends, family, local churches, co-workers, and online communities – requesting them to donate towards the cost of the dental work. When writing the outline, explain how your new teeth will positively affect your life, family, and the exact amount of money that will be used for the procedure.

Important to Remember

A simple benchmark while asking for money for a health cause is to ask: would I give money for a cause if this person asked me? This is because asking and giving money should be handled with care as it can lead to embarrassing situations for you and your family member or even close acquaintance. And putting pressure on them doesn’t help either