The High Price of Avoiding the Dentist

 

Many people cite cost as one of the main obstacles in their quest for dental care. However, skipping regular check-ups to save a few dollars can prove to be an expensive decision in the long run. An attempt to save money by limiting dental care to just brushing a few times a day, flossing, and restricting sugary foods may seem like a good idea at first. This is a mistake nobody should make though. One of the principal reasons for visiting a dentist is to prevent problems or stop existing dental issues from worsening. The long term expense and pain associated with avoiding regular dental visits far outweigh any costs associated with preventative care.

For example, if a cavity is not stopped early on, the tooth may become severely decayed resulting in pain and either the need for a crown or entire tooth extraction.

A crown is a tooth-shaped cover fashioned in a laboratory and fitted onto the damaged tooth which is shaped so the crown can securely be affixed to it. A crown will be at least $500 and easily up to $1000 or more depending on the necessary procedures and materials used.

When a tooth extraction is necessary, the cost of the actual extraction is tiny compared with the next step: Either an implant or a bridge to replace the missing tooth.

A bridge consists of the actual artificial tooth bridging the missing-tooth gap, as well as crowns (in most cases) on the adjoining teeth to add support. Bridges can cost as much as $1000 or more.
A dental implant, which often requires the expertise of an oral surgeon, consists of a metal post affixed to the bone which then can be fitted with an artificial tooth and can cost in excess of $2000.

More serious problems can develop as well, such as severe gum disease leading to breakdown of bone and support tissues, eventually culminating in tooth loss and the need for at least partial dentures or multiple implants, both running in the many thousands of dollars.

Crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures are not just financial burdens for people without dental insurance. Of course coverage varies from plan to plan, but those with dental insurance are generally not covered fully or even very much on these types of procedures and so must personally bear much of the cost.

Conversely, a check-up typically runs somewhere between $50 and $100. The cost of the restorative procedures outlined above clarifies the true dental bargain that a regular check-up represents.