Getting The Best Regular Dental Treatments With Minimal Expense
Our need to maintain good oral health is balanced by cost. The average patient provides about $800 of revenue to a dentist each year, largely throug...
Our need to maintain good oral health is balanced by cost. The average patient provides about $800 of revenue to a dentist each year, largely through group dental insurance but including also some out-of-pocket costs. In addition, patients must buy dental products such as night guards, electric tooth brushes that are not covered by insurance.
One effective way to economize is to make sure that one is getting the minimal amount of work needed for maintaining good oral health with positive long term impact. Sometimes cosmetic needs arise but can be put off until later, but other times cosmetic needs and basic dental needs go hand-in-hand in cases such as a lost tooth. Ask the dentist for a cost-benefit analysis in terms of long term oral health, and make clear that aesthetics come later.
A concrete example can help us understand how to manage costs. A common problem is a large cavity that has almost reached the root of the tooth. There are two options. The first option is to fill the cavity with natural color filling, and then cap it with a crown. The second option is to just fill the cavity. The first treatment will last longer but costs three times more, the second treatment should last many years and costs much less. A patient should weigh the lifetime of the work against the current cost.
Sometimes a procedure should be avoided for scientific reasons. Discoloration or stains on teeth can be removed by teeth whitening procedures. Traditionally, a dental solution of carbamide peroxide is used to activate stains to make them removable. In recent times, lasers have been brought in to enhance breakdown and activation of stains. The most current research, however, indicates that laser whitening is a strategy that has mixed results and warrants further refinement. Unless you find the carbamide peroxide alone is ineffective, consider avoiding the more expensive laser whitening.
Dental accessories are costly over time. Consider buying toothbrushes and floss in bulk at wholesalers such as Costco and Sam’s Club rather than one at a time at a supermarket. Try to get as much use out of a toothbrush as possible but don’t sacrifice usability. Very old toothbrushes become less effective at plaque removal because of poor bristle contact with surfaces.
When shopping for fancy equipment like electric toothbrushes, you will find prices vary a lot as these items have a range of technical sophistication. Look into the long term costs as well. The motorized base of the toothbrush is a high fixed cost but lasts a long time. The replacement brushes and batteries will end up costing more, as this is the pricing strategy to maximize profit for the manufacturer. Account fully for both immediate and recurring expenses.
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