Affordable Dentist Archives - Dental Care at Flint's Crossing

Do Any Affordable Dentists Do Root Canals Too?

May 30, 2021 by Athena Smiles

I’m not saying anything bad about dentists who do root canals, but their rates are crazy. I don’t have dental insurance and have been cash pay for years. Last weekend, my face swelled and my regular dentist said that I either needed a root canal or to have the tooth pulled. If I had the tooth pulled, he could do it, but if I wanted to save the tooth and get a root canal, I’d need to see a specialist. I’m only 45, so I want to save the tooth. The problem is, the specialist wants around $1,500 to do it and the extraction is around $400. Well, if I don’t have $1,500, I don’t have much of a choice. Plus, he says it might need even more treatment after the root canal which will probably cost another $1,000. That’s one expensive tooth!

My dentist put me on antibiotics but cautioned me that my infection would likely return as soon as they ran out. So, I have little time to work with to get this sorted, but not much. Before I give up on the tooth, is there not a cheaper way to get my dental work done?

Sincerely,

Rajesh

Dear Rajesh,

This is a great question! Let’s break it down.

Find Out Why Your Dentist Wouldn’t Do the Root Canal

Some general dentists just don’t like performing endodontic treatment (root canals). Especially when you get into molars with three roots, it’s an intensive and time-consuming process. If your dentist passed on doing the work because he fits into this category, you may be able to call around and find a different general dentist who will do it. If he normally performs endodontic treatment but your case is unique—perhaps your roots curve or you have other considerations—and he referred you to an endodontist because he thinks it’s best for your situation, you’ll probably want to see an endodontist regardless.

Request Quotes from Nearby Dentists

Ask your dentist for a copy of your x-ray and the exact codes from your treatment plan. You can use the codes to call around and get pricing from other dentists in your area. It probably goes without saying that you likely do not want to go with the cheapest dentist. You want someone who has a good reputation taking care of this tooth. It is an investment, but it’s a worthwhile one. As you said, you’re only 45. You could literally have another 45+ years ahead of you without that tooth. And, without it, your other teeth will start shifting and you will likely have more trouble eating. If you can find a way to save it, you should.

You Can Find Ways to Make Treatment More Affordable

When you find a dentist who will do the root canal and you feel comfortable with him, then start digging into ways to make the treatment more affordable. A few tips:

Ask for a cash pay discount
See if the office will let you make payments
Find out if the practice accepts programs like Care Credit (a medical credit card)
Inquire about discount plans

Best of luck to you and your tooth!

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, an Auburn, AL affordable dentist.

Pediatric Dentist Sent My Child a Bill—What Do I Do with It?

April 30, 2021 by Athena Smiles

This is going to sound weird, but our new pediatric dentist sent my five-year-old son a bill. We’d been back and forth with them quite a bit—there were issues with them getting the insurance verified and them not getting paperwork to me in time. The day of the appointment, they called me and told me and told me that they had just stopped taking our insurance and that the visit would be billed with out-of-network charges. Quite frustrating because I’d booked the appointment a month in advance and had gotten their info from the insurance company.

Anyway, I decided just to go through with the appointment because my son was already prepped for it and the remaining balance would be small. So, we went ahead with the appointment and it didn’t go well. My son was squirmy and the pediatric dentist didn’t get to do the full exam. The “cleaning” was about 30 seconds of them brushing his teeth with a toothbrush. Not exactly what I’d call top-notch clinical work. We got through it, though, and I paid my portion at the end, and we left.

Here we are almost three months later and a letter comes in the mail for my son. It’s not just a bill—it’s a notice that they’re going to send him to collections if he doesn’t pay the remaining portion, which is now pretty much the full amount because apparently there’s no out-of-network coverage.

I’m somewhat tempted to blow it off and let them try. It’s not going to go anywhere and I’m more than a little upset that we wound up with the bill anyway. The whole thing could have been easily prevented if they’d just been on the ball. Can I safely disregard the notice?

Best,

Talia

Dear Talia,

You’re probably not going to like this answer, but you should just pay the bill. No doubt, you signed an agreement saying you’d accept full responsibility for payment even if insurance didn’t pay. Ultimately, it’s your bill to pay since you entered into an agreement with the practice. Sending the bill to your son could give you some wiggle room if it ever came down to it, but that’s really something you’d need to take up with a layer.

Yes, they biffed this one pretty big. It sounds like there were a lot of things they could have done better. It’s hard to say how you could have gotten around it other than to be more familiar with your insurance plan and confirm on your own what the charges will be and what insurance plans to pay beforehand. Granted, that’s not something most people do, and most offices will take care of it for you with a high degree of accuracy too. But, ultimately, any charges accrued are your responsibility.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, a provider of pediatric dental services in Auburn, AL.

Can My Dentist Charge for PPE

April 10, 2021 by Athena Smiles

I just visited my local dentist for the first time since the pandemic started. I know everyone said it was safe to go, but I really wasn’t going anywhere and didn’t feel comfortable returning until after I was vaccinated. In any case, I feel think they’ve done something they shouldn’t’ve. They didn’t say anything to me in advance, but when I checked out, I noticed there were additional charges on my statement that I’m not used to seeing. I asked what they were for and the woman at the desk said PPE but that they felt the insurance would cover it and I shouldn’t worry about it.

First, doesn’t the dental clinic always use PPE? Why am I suddenly being charged for something that’s always been a part of treatment? I feel like They’re just trying to pad their bills to make up for people like me who didn’t go in during the pandemic. Secondly, shouldn’t they have warned me that there would be an extra charge? If my insurance doesn’t cover it, I would then have to pay. It seems in poor form to add things in without properly warning someone. It’s $20, so not a significant amount, but it bothers me how they handled it. Are they even allowed to do that?

Thanks,

Amir

Dear Amir,

That sounds frustrating! This is a tough question that the dental community was largely divided over during the pandemic. Let’s take a look.

PPE Costs Skyrocketed During the Pandemic

The pandemic rocked the world as we know it in so many ways. One of the first ways it impacted dentistry was through the supply chain. The gloves, for example, are usually made from latex and nitrile and a single company in Malaysia had a 26% share of the market when the pandemic began. In fact, most of the word’s gloves come from a few select countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, and China.

That’s a twofold problem—the countries producing the most gloves were hit with the virus first. Companies ramped up big time, but not as much as they might have been able to do if workers weren’t falling ill. And, demand spiked at the same time. Rates climbed with it.

So, a practice that could previously buy a box of 100 gloves for around $3 was suddenly paying a minimum of $12 per box and, in many cases, $30 or even $50 if they needed them quickly. Similar shortages were seen with masks too. Plus, offices were expected to layer on additional PPE and take additional infection control processes.

There Was No Consensus on Who Should Pay the Additional Costs

You’re right that the pandemic was very hard on some offices because many people held off on their appointments. And, on top of it, dentists were being saddled with all kinds of new expenses. Many closed their doors for good.

Some insurance companies took a proactive approach and just started compensating dentists for the additional PPE costs. Others simply agreed to pay a fee if it was billed. The amount, usually between $10-$20 depending on the practice, was also passed on to the patients in some cases or written off by the practice if it wasn’t paid. Not all practices charged an additional fee, but certainly, enough did that it was quite common. Some are still charging it today.

They Should Have Told You About the Fee

It’s possible there was a notice slipped into your paperwork or mention made on your reminders but the practice may have simply wordlessly added it in like any other charge, perhaps thinking it was so minor it wouldn’t be noticed or, as you mentioned, expecting insurance to pay. In any case, it sounds like you’re frustrated with the lack of communication and that’s perfectly understandable. Their charge was normal given the circumstances and was within their rights to add, but if you’re put off by how they handled it, voice your thoughts to the dentist so they can handle it differently in the future.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, an Auburn, AL dentist.

Can My Auburn Dentist Dismiss Me if I Get Implants in Mexico?

January 10, 2021 by Athena Smiles

I have a good relationship with my dentist here in Auburn, but I need to get implants done and they’re way out of my price range. I initially tried saving up to have them done here but something always came up and I never got anywhere close to having my portion after nearly two years of trying. I have a sister who lives in Texas near the border and she’s gone a couple times and says most there are accredited by the American Dental Association and that it’s the same as having it done here because of it.

I tried to approach the subject gently with my dentist the last time I was in and he told me that he wouldn’t continue to treat me if I went. He said that it’s not safe and, if he continues to treat me and there’s an issue, he could be held liable for the Mexican dentist’s shoddy work. I’m heartbroken. I understand what he’s saying and respect his concerns. At the same time, I would have loved for him to do the work. I really would have. I just can’t afford to have him do it. And, I would never in a million years go after him if something didn’t go right in Mexico. In a way, I feel betrayed. He’s making me choose between having a full set of teeth and staying with him as a patient. Can he even do that?

Thanks,

Sharon

Dear Sharon,

So sorry to hear you’re dealing with all this. The short answer is, “maybe.” The full answer is complicated. Let’s take a look.

Exercise Caution if You Seek Treatment Outside the United States

There is nothing that’s “the same” as visiting a dentist in Mexico versus one in the United States other than both are dentists and both will provide similar types of treatment. When you talk about the licensing, the continuing education requirements, and the recourse if something goes wrong, it’s night and day. That’s not to say there aren’t good dentists in Mexico, but they simply do not have the same requirements as they do here. And, if you do wind up with a dental emergency, you’re a day’s drive away from your provider and have little recourse if he or she doesn’t do right by you.

Dentists Can Dismiss Anyone from Their Practices

A dentist doesn’t really have an obligation to keep you as a patient in the long run. You can be dismissed from a practice for virtually any reason. The only general caveat to this is that there are generally guidelines about the dismissal process that involve providing care for a period of time while you become established with a new dentist.

It May Be “Unethical” for Him to Dismiss You for This

Dismissing a patient for seeking treatment in Mexico is a bit different, though. The ADA addresses it in terms of a patient’s freedom of choice.

“The ethical dentist will treat the patient who has received dental treatment outside the United States in the same manner as he/she would treat a patient who has transferred their care from any other practice, irrespective of the fact that the treatment performed outside of the United States might or might not be substandard and, in some instances, a possible detriment to the patient’s health. A dentist should consult applicable state law to determine the definition of “patient of record.” Failure to treat such a patient may raise ethical concerns under ADA Code Section 2.F, Patient Abandonment.”

So, what we can ascertain is that your dentist could find himself in hot water with the local dental board if he dismisses you, even though his concerns about you receiving poor quality treatment are valid. In the same narrative, the ADA reminds dentists to keep good records, so it’s easier to identify the root cause of any issues if multiple providers are involved.

The Final Decision is Yours Alone

At the end of the day, you’d have to report the dentist to the board and they’d ultimately decide whether he behaved unethically or not. They may indeed agree he’s out of line in this case. But, whatever the board might decide, you feel betrayed by your dentist and seem to have lost faith in him. For that reason alone, it sounds like your needs are better served by a dentist who will honor your wishes. As an aside to this, it might be worth checking out other local dentists to see if someone here can still help you. True, you won’t get the same prices as you would in Mexico, but you can be assured the dentist treating you will be held to a higher standard of care. You may be able to find an affordable dentist who offers payment plans or similar as well. Best of luck to you.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, an Auburn, Alabama dentist who provides affordable and comprehensive care.

My Dentist is Pressuring Me to Do Work- What Do I Do?

December 20, 2020 by Athena Smiles

I don’t want to name names, but I see a local dentist in Auburn and have done so for quite some time. I’ve always been good about keeping up with my cleanings and never have outstanding work. Actually, most of the time, he’ll do my fillings the same day they’re diagnosed and I’m good for another six months.

Then, last February, he told me I needed to have a crown done on one of my molars. I have a big silver filling on that tooth and it’s starting to go. He said he thought there was decay there and the crown was the only fix.

Well, then COVID happened, and you know what that means. The office was closed for some time, and then on top of everything else, I lost my job and my dental insurance. Thankfully, I got a new job in October (with new insurance!), but I’m still recovering financially and I haven’t been in a position to schedule the crown work. I’m a couple months off my cleaning schedule too.

They called me when they opened back up and I got my reminders about my cleaning. Then they started calling and I explained to them what I was dealing with and thought they’d give me some breathing room. However, a couple weeks ago, I started getting letters too. The latest talked about how important it was to complete my treatment and basically said I’d be foolish to let my insurance benefits go to waste by not using them before the year is up.

I already felt terrible, but now I feel even worse. I don’t know if I can even go back for my cleaning. Should I bother trying to talk to them again or should I just move on?

Sincerely,

COVID Stinks

Dear C.S.,

Yikes! Sounds like you’ve had quite the year. Glad to hear things are looking up for you now. Let’s break apart what’s happening and what your options are.

Most of Your Contacts Were Probably Automated

These days, dental offices rely heavily on automation. Your recall reminders and even notes to use your benefits before the year rolls over were probably computer-generated or, at the very least, kicked off with a couple of clicks. That may sound impersonal, but on the bright side, there wasn’t anybody looking over your chart and passing judgment. They use these tools to make sure nobody falls through the cracks and to make sure the team can focus on the patients in the office receiving care rather than licking hundreds of envelopes.

You Can Still Tell Them You Feel Pressured

The reality is, most dental offices don’t staff writers or marketing teams. The person who penned your note was probably the same person who greets you warmly with a smile when you walk through the door and asks you about your kids and hobbies. They’re probably not an expert in what words to use or how many times they should try reaching out to someone. They’re just someone who cares about whether you’re having your needs met. All the same, if you took the notices the way you did, chances are others did too. It’s totally ok to tell them that, so they can refine their process and language.

Don’t Let Finances Stand in the Way of Vital Treatment

That said, there is a whole lot of people in situations like you are now. If the office hasn’t discussed financial arrangements with you, you may want to find someone who makes providing affordable dental treatment a priority. That’s not to say you should accept cheap dental care, but rather, seek someone out who will give you options and either accepts payment plans or Care Credit. That way, you can move forward without that crown looming over you.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Raymond Bolt, an Auburn, AL family dentist.

Dentist Insisting I Get Dental Implants

July 23, 2020 by writeradmin

I have lost most of my teeth and the rest are about to come out as well. I want to just get dentures, but he said he will only treat me if I get dental implants. I have priced that and I just cannot afford it. Can he refuse to treat me?

Lance

Dear Lance,

I’m sorry you are facing this decision. Some dentists will only do the best-case scenario. In a way, they see it as a reflection of their reputation. Either they do the ideal or nothing.

Fortunately, not all dentists are like this. They realize that is unfair to patients. Not everyone can afford the ideal. It would be as if a car salesman would only sell you the Mercedes or nothing. How many people would have to go without a car? At least then there is public transportation. We don’t have any public teeth, thank goodness.

In your place, I would do an internet search using the term “affordable dentist“. They are much more willing to work with patients.

Being Careful with Dentures

I don’t know if your dentist explained why dental implants are the better option or just demanded you get them. I am of the opinion that patients need to know the pros and cons of all their options.

When your teeth are removed, your body begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone recognizing you no longer have teeth there. It does this in an effort to be as efficient as possible with your body’s resources. This has the unfortunate effect of slowly shrinking your jawbone. Eventually, you will no longer be able to keep your dentures in your mouth. This is known as facial collapse.

Using dental implants “tricks” your body into thinking you still have natural teeth there, which in turn means it will leave your jawbone intact.

Affordable Dental Implants

Knowing the benefits of dental implants and being able to afford them are two different things. However, there is a way to work “up to” the ideal. You can get something call snap-on dentures. This will work with as few as two dental implants, instead of the traditional eight to twelve (for two arches). You would only place them on the bottom jaw which is the most at risk of facial collapse.

Then, as you are able and finances change, you may be able to add more later. Whatever your decision, find a dentist who is willing to do his best for you no matter which procedure you choose.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.

Antibiotics & Tooth Infection

September 6, 2019 by writeradmin

I have what I think is an infection in my tooth. I can see a red line on the gum with a pimply thing. My mouth hurts like crazy. I called a local dentist. He called me in an antibiotic but said he wants to see me in two days. Why do I have to go in if I have the antibiotics? I don’t have a lot of money.

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

A pimple on the gum means you have an abcessed tooth

When there is a pimple on your gums, it means you have a tooth infection. These are different than a typical bodily infection. While antibiotics can work on your typical bacterial infection, tooth infections are different. During the infection, the pulp of the tooth will die, which means there will no longer be blood flow.

Without blood flow, there is no way for the antibiotic to get to the infected pulp. Because of that, a dentist has to physically go in and remove the infected tissue. This is done with a root canal treatment.

The dentist you called ordered an antibiotic in order to hold your infection from spreading too far before he could see you to do the root canal.

There are Affordable Dentists Out There

This is not something you should put off getting treated. An abscessed tooth is considered a dental emergency. If you put it off it can turn into a life-threatening emergency.

Think about how close your jaw into your heart and brain. If the infection spreads there things can go downhill quickly. People still die from tooth infections.

If you’re short on funds and can’t afford the dentist, you should be aware most dentists went into their profession because they wanted to help people. In cases of emergency like yours, many of them are willing to do the work you need and let you pay out the cost.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn Family Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.

Is this Groupon a Safe Way to Afford Teeth Whitening?

May 11, 2019 by writeradmin

I’ve been wanting to get my teeth whitened for some time. I just haven’t had a ton of money for it. I have this Groupon which says I can get my teeth whitened for $50. This sounds like a great deal. However, my co-worker, who had her teeth re-done keeps talking about how you have to be careful which dentist does your cosmetic work if you want it to turn out nicely. I just don’t want a disaster.

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Your co-worker is correct that it is important to make sure the dentist is qualified to do the cosmetic work you want done. However, that is mostly in regard to top-of-the-line procedures, such as porcelain veneers. With a procedure such as teeth whitening, that can be done by any family dentist. It is quite straight forward. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about him getting it wrong.

However, you want to be careful of any fine print. Most dentists will at least require you get a thorough cleaning and checkup before doing the teeth whitening procedure. This is for your benefit, so the results don’t end up splotchy. Plus, you will want to make sure there aren’t any cavities developing.

Affording Dental Care You Want

It is always frustrating when there is something you want to do to improve your oral health and appearance but the money just isn’t there. It’s even more important when you have something urgent. like a cavity. You don’t want it to blow up into a dental emergency.

When there is a lot of work you need done, I suggest having the dentist list out everything in order from the most urgent to the least. The two of you can work out a plan that keeps all the work within your budget. Even then, sometimes you don’t have enough to get started. In those cases, dentists who believe in affordable dental care, will have a couple of options for you. Either they’ll have in-house payment plans and allow you to pay out the work on a schedule that works for you or they work through Care Credit. This is a medical credit service which offers low and no-interest payment plans.

Best of luck to you and enjoy your beautiful white teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn, AL Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.

An Affordable Way to Restore a Chipped Tooth

March 5, 2019 by AllSmiles

Are you looking for affordable options to restore a chipped tooth? A chipped tooth detracts from your smile and from the health of your tooth. How can you get your tooth restored affordably?

A Porcelain Veneer or Crown Might Not Be Required

Most people think that a chipped tooth needs to be hidden with a porcelain veneer or a dental crown. What’s the process for those treatments?

Porcelain veneer – A veneer covers the front of your tooth. It requires shaving some of your tooth enamel so the veneer fits well and looks natural. Pictures and impressions of your teeth will be sent to a lab, and a custom veneer will be made.
Dental crown – Your tooth needs to be shaved down for the crown to fit over it. The crown covers your entire tooth from the gumline to the biting surface. Impressions and pictures of your teeth will be sent to a dental lab. The lab will make a precisely fitting crown for your tooth.

But a crown or veneer might not be necessary. There is a more affordable option for repairing a chipped tooth.

Dental Bonding Is Affordable

Your tooth can be restored with direct bonding. How does it work?

Shades of dental composite are blended to match the shade of your natural tooth.
Your dentist will lightly etch your chipped tooth to prepare it for the composite.
The composite will be applied, shaped, hardened, and polished to a natural gloss.
Depending on how well you take care of it, bonding can last four to eight years.

What’s the Difference with the Treatments?

Veneers are made of durable porcelain, which mimics the translucency, color, and gloss of natural teeth. It takes more time to place a veneer, and the custom-made materials are more costly. Veneers are stain resistant and can last a lifetime. Bonding stains over time and needs to removed and replaced.

A dental crown is also made of porcelain. After taking impressions of your tooth, a custom crown is made by a laboratory technician. Unlike dental composite that is only applied to the affected areas of a tooth, a crown covers the entire tooth.

Affordable, but Beautiful Results

Although dental bonding is more affordable than a porcelain veneer or crown, a skilled dentist can give you great results. People won’t be able to tell that your tooth was chipped.

Before-and-after photos of a front incisor chipped tooth that was restored with dental bonding. — Dental bonding is an affordable way to restore a chipped tooth

You can schedule consultations with two different dentists to discuss your options, the cost, and how treatment can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Auburn, AL dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt of Dental Care at Flint’s Crossing.

Conveyor Belt Dental Care

February 9, 2019 by writeradmin

I’ve been shopping around for affordable dental care. Each place that’s advertised as affordable seem to treat patients like cattle, running us in and out. At one point I wondered if I was on my way to the slaughter house. Is there a way to get an affordable dentist and feel like a person?

Cathy

Dear Cathy,

Dollar sign hatched out of an egg — Affordable dentistry can be personal

You’re wise to continue seeking treatment. Too many people avoid the dentist altogether because of financial issues. Even with the hardships you’ve undergone finding the right affordable dentist, you will end up saving money in the long run.

As you have experienced, many dentists who advertise as affordable try to make up profits with the sheer volume of patients they get through. Truthfully, that’s not a pleasant experience for either of you. You miss out on personalized care and attention. The dentist misses out on the beauty of getting to know their patients.

Affordable Versus Cheap Dentistry

While the conveyor belt method can be annoying, the cut corners method is downright dangerous. This is where dentists cut corners to make up their profits. They may buy discounted materials which can lead to infection or failure.

Other times, dentists are significantly cheaper because they’re just plain bad at their job and can’t retain patients. They keep their prices super low to draw in new patients.

Think of it this way. One dentist makes a dental crown for $500 but it lasts 5 years. Another makes a crown for $800 but it last 15 years. The more “affordable” crown actually ends up costing you significantly more money.

Finding an Affordable Dentist

Start by looking for dentists in your area with good reputations. Check their services offered, then check their reviews. Are patients satisfied with the service they’ve received?

Once you’ve found a suitable list of dentists, call their office. Ask if they offer payment plans, Care Credit, or cash discounts. These are just some of the ways dentists can help patients.

This blog is brought to you by Auburn Dentist Dr. Raymond Bolt.