I saw this dentist who advertised as an affordable dentist. I have a cavity. I was hopeful if I found an affordable dentist I’d be able to get a white filling, which my insurance won’t cover. I decided to go by the office and get a look first. Just to make sure it wasn’t like some backwater office that looks barely sanitary. I walked in and the place was immaculate. Impeccably decorated, flat screen TVs. How can the office look this wealthy and still be affordable?
Abigail W. – Arkansas.
Abigail,
It’s interesting that you went to peek at the office before scheduling. That may, in part, be the answer to your question. If you think about how families spend money, it will help, too. Let’s say you have two families which earn the same amount of money. One home can be immaculately decorated, but the family rarely travels. Another can keep their home neat, but frugally decorated. Instead, they use the money for travel.
This dentist has a certain amount of money to work with. He spends some on advertising (which would include the appearance of his lobby). The rest he can use how he wants. This dentist may prefer a beautiful office, but keeps his prices low to help patients. He may cut his profits. Or maybe he keeps a leaner staff than most.
Call and ask what his prices are for white fillings. That should give you some idea of if his prices are as affordable as you’d hoped. Whatever you do, don’t just leave the cavity. It will spread and will likely blow up into an infection, leaving you with a dental emergency.
Now, what could have been a simple filling will turn into an expensive dental crown or, worse, a complete tooth replacement such as a dental implant.
One thing to bear in mind is that you can get a white filling and your dentist will charge your insurance for the amalgam filling. You’ll only need to make up the difference, saving you some money right off the bat.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Matt Roper.