4 Fresh Ideas For Saving Funds On Dental Care

If dental care is a large expense for you, you probably already know the common ways to save money. Go to a dental school, set up a repayment plan, and pay in cash are common ways to lower your overall dental bill. Below are four fresh ideas for saving money that you might not have considered. 

Split Up Your Dental Work 

Many dentists will set up a payment plan with their patients. However, if you find a dentist you like who does not accept short-term payment plans, you may be able to ease the cost on your pocketbook by splitting up your procedures over multiple weeks. Many patients want to go to the dentist as little as possible, so dentist's often try to complete complex procedures such as root canals and inlays in one or two visits. However, it is possible to get less work done every two or three weeks. 

For example, if you have a root canal, your dentist may open your canals and do an initial cleaning at the first visit. A temporary filling can be placed for up to a month, at the second visit they can finish cleaning your canals, and at a third visit they can permanently fill the tooth. This allows you to pay for your root canal over three months. However, you should look for hidden fees that will make the overall procedure more expensive. These include sterilization fees for the equipment used during each visit and the cost of anesthetizing you multiple times. 

Ask For Less Expensive Materials 

The cost of a dental crown varies between $500-$2,500 for each tooth. That is a large range, meaning there are a variety of different materials that may work for you and be cheaper than the standard materials your dentist uses. It is important to realize that some more expensive materials are worth their higher cost over time. However, if cost is preventing you from getting critical dental work completed, it might be worth it to explore slightly lower quality materials that you can afford. In 5-10 years, when the material begins to break down, you can replace it with a more expensive, high quality option. 

When looking for cheaper materials, it is important that you have a dentist you can trust. They can tell you which materials are not viable and make a decision about the cheapest materials they are comfortable using to provide safe, lasting dental work. 

Skip the Anesthetic

In the United States, it is common to use local anesthetic for minor procedures including surface fillings and deep cleanings. While this can increase your comfort and help you relax, it is often an added expense that could be skipped. As long as the pulp of your tooth is not exposed and you do not have a toothache, you can consider skipping the anesthetic. While many people fear a sharp pain during drilling, on surface cavities you are much more likely to feel a slight pressure and little or no pain. 

If you have more complicated procedures that will take more than half an hour to complete or if you are anxious about visiting the dentist, you will probably not want to skip the anesthetic, as it provides an extra layer of reassurance for many patients. However, if you are not nervous about light drilling, you and your dentist can try proceeding without anesthetic. It is important to have good communication set up with your dentist. If you experience any pain, you should have them stop and apply anesthetic before proceeding. 

Have Your X-rays Taken at a Dental School 

You may know that dental schools are cheaper than dental offices for many procedures, but the wait list can be long and the appointments can take much more time. However, x-rays are quick enough that they can be done at a dental school without taking your entire day or waiting two months for an appointment. If you need a full set of x-rays, consider getting a list of what your dentist needs and having them taken at your local dental school. 

Dental care is an important aspect of overall health care. If you need to find affordable ways to get critical work done, you should talk with your dentist about your options.