Tag Archives: Gilbert Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentistry

I need help

I joined a club at school that my dad told me not to.  Something happened while I was there and I ended up getting a front tooth knocked out.  When I went home and explained to my dad what happened, he said that he doesn’t have money for the dentist. I disobeyed so the tooth is my problem.  I’m only twelve and don’t have a way of making enough money for the dentist.  I have about $7 I made in babysitting, but that is it.  What do I do? I don’t want to live my life with one of my front teeth missing. I’m so ugly. It’s too embarassing.

Bella K. – Oregon

Bella,

I’m very sorry for what you’re going through.  I want you to know that even though you feel ugly because one of your teeth is missing, that doesn’t mean you are ugly.

Let’s try to get you some help.  Because you’re a minor, one of your parents will need to consent to treatment.  There’s good news too.  Dentists become dentists because they like helping people.  I bet if you called around and explained your sitution, there will be at least one willing to work with you to get treatment.

I’d start by doing a Google search for affordable dentist. Then talk with them until you find one you’re comfortable with.

There are levels of treatment. Maybe at first, you can get a temporary treatment like a removable partial denture until you can afford one the better (but priceier) treatments.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Are there good affordable dentists?

I went to a new dentist who had much cheaper prices than some of the others in my area. I found out quickly why his prices were so much less. He had terrible hygiene and equally terrible personality.  I didn’t know if his odor or his breath. Is there a way to get an affordable dentist that doesn’t smell like bathing is optional?

Kelly K. – California

Kelly,

Wow.  I’m hoping his clinical cleanliness isn’t as bad as his personal hygiene.  Don’t despair.  There are plenty of affordable dentists around that know how to regularly brush their teeth.

You want to distinguish between an affordable dentist and a cheap dentist.  An affordable dentist does quality work and finds ways to make the procedures do-able on a budget.

A cheap dentist is generally either unskilled and needs to lower his prices to draw people in, or he has low prices because he uses poor quality materials in order to lower his bottom line.  Either way, you won’t like it.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Are affordable dental implants equally good?

There are several dentists in my area that do dental implants. One of them is way more affordable than the others. I mean seriously more affordable. I was about to take the plunge, but decided I should get an opinon from a dentist out of my area first.

Lisa A. – Maine

Lisa,

When you talk about affordable dentistry, there is a difference between affordable and cheap.  Some dentists find legiitimate ways to make their dental implants more affordable. Maybe they cut their profit. Maybe they use mini implants or have exceptionally affordable payment plans.

Unfortunately some dentists try a different route for “affordability”.  They don’t want to cut their profit margin, so they cheat on quality. They’ll use materials that are of a lower quality.  While it may save you money on the short term, it may also end up costing you a fortune.  Dental implant failure is real. Some result in serious infections or bone loss.

Check their implant qualifications before you move forward.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Father knocked out my teeth

My dad knocked out some of my teeth.  He used to hit my mom and I would hide, but this time I tried to stop him.  When he did that, my mom had him arrested. Since then, she’s had a hard time affording stuff, so I don’t want to bother her about my teeth, but it is embarassing. The other kids at school are calling me a hill billy.  I hear her crying every night, so I can’t bring it up.  Can you tell me how much it would cost to get new teeth?

Name Withheld

You’ve been through some horrible experiences. I’m very sorry.  It can be quite expensive to have teeth replaced.  That doesn’t mean there isn’t hope.  Some dentists work hard to offer affordable dentistry, especially to people in your situation.

In fact, there is a group of dentists who volunteer their time specifically for situations like yours.  I’d contact Give Back A Smile.  They work with people who’ve suffered domestic abuse in order to help repair their smiles.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Affording dentistry with no insurance

Are there secrets to affording dentistry when you don’t have insurance?

Breck T. – Missouri

Breck,

I don’t know about secrets, but there are some things that you may not know about. Dental schools will often do cleanings at a discounted fee. Some for as little as $25 a cleaning. You could see if there is a local dental school in your area. However, they don’t always to other procedures, such as crowns and fillings (depending on the school).

Also, many dental offices offer their own “insurance” plan in order to make your dentistry more affordable.

However, the best piece of advice I can give you is to be honest with your dentist. Let him know your financial circumstances. Many dentists are willing to work with patients.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt. Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Need an affordable option for dentistry

I have a large family with a lot of dental problems. In fact, I don’t think more than two weeks has gone by this year without one child or another needing something done. Honestly, we must have the worst teeth in history. I have a kind dentist. He’s been letting me come in on Fridays, when the office is closed, and clean in exchange for dental care.  This has been great, but I’m pregnant with our 7th child (yes, we’re catholic) and my dentist has told me I need to be on bedrest.  I don’t know what to do. Not only will I need to figure out a way to care for my family from bed, but three of my children need fillings right now. I don’t think I’ll be able to come in and clean.  Do you know of programs that help make dentistry cheaper?

Marissa P. – New Mexico

Marissa,

You’re obviously a good mother. I love that you’ve been so creative in finding ways to deal with expensive dental care for your children.  You must feel a great deal of stress in thinking about how to continue your care of your home and family while on bedrest. Though doctors are trying hard to care for you, their instructions aren’t always practical in the real world.

Each dentist is different in their financial policies.  If you’re looking for affordable options in dentistry, I’d start by telling your dentist exactly what you told me.  He’s worked with you in the past, he’ll probably be willing to work with you now as well.

Some offices, like Dr. Roper’s office, have in-office dental insurance programs that keep your costs down. Others give discounts on certain procedures, like a sale of sorts.

The best practice is open and honest communication.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.