I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
If you're in need of a dental crown--whether it's as part of a root canal procedure or on its own--then you may have been surprised by the staggering cost of such dental work. This may be especially true if you don't have dental insurance. Fortunately, there are still a few ways you can go about reducing the cost of your dental crown while still getting the dental care you need to preserve your oral health.
Enroll in a Dental Care Plan
Dental insurance rates too high for your budget? Consider enrolling in a dental care plan. These are not insurance plans, but they can help to cover some of your dental expenses. Specifically, a dental care plan is a membership you buy that, when used a participating dentists, gives you eligibility for significantly discounted rates on dental work. You just pay a low annual membership fee (or even lower monthly fees) and find a dentist who participates in your plan near you. It's as simple as that and there's no need to meet any specific eligibility requirements.
Have Work Done at a University
Many universities offer discount dental work if you're willing to trust your dental crown procedure to the skilled but learning hands of dental school students. Don't worry; the procedure will be supervised by a licensed, experienced, and practicing dentist. Check your local university with a dental school to see what kinds of discounts they offer on dental crown procedures for those willing to have the work done there. They probably offer other procedures as well, such as routine cleanings and cavity fillings.
Consider a Metal Crown
Most of the time, dentists will use porcelain or ceramic for their crown materials because they're easy to work with and can match the color of the person's natural teeth. However, if low-cost is your priority, you might want to ask your dentist if he or she offers full metal crowns or even porcelain crowns fused to a metal base. Metal is much cheaper material to use, so it could cost you significantly less to have one of these done. And if you have the metal fused with porcelain, you won't even be able to tell the difference aesthetically.
There's no denying that dental work, such as getting a dental crown, can be pricey. By keeping these tips in mind, however, you can save money on the procedure and still get the job done right. Talk to places like Wigwam Dental Care for more information.
Share19 March 2015