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What are my options for affordable dental care?
If you’re looking for affordable dental care, you need to find a private dentist near me who meets certain criteria. If you’re not careful, your dental treatments can be extremely expensive in the long run. However, to save money, you can’t neglect your oral health because it impacts your overall health. Poor oral hygiene and oral health can increase the risk of periodontitis, diabetes, heart problems, strokes, and much more. Below, we provide tips to help you access affordable dental care from a dental specialist near me.
#1. Purchase an independent dental insurance policy
Dental insurances can be fairly expensive, there’s no denying that truth. If you’re not employed or self-employed, the prospect of purchasing an independent dental insurance policy could be frightening. If you get a comprehensive dental insurance policy, you have to pay expensive deductibles, whereas cheaper policies only provide basic coverage. However, if you believe you have a high risk of dental problems in the future, it may be worth exploring independent dental insurance options.
#2. Find a PPO dentist near my home who accepts your insurance
If you have dental insurance, you should find a PPO dental specialist near me. A PPO dentist is one who’s affiliated with your insurance providers to help you access affordable dental care. PPO dentists must charge a pre-approved set of rates for their treatments, so you can be assured that you won’t be burdened with exorbitant costs. Furthermore, if you seek treatment from PPO dentists, you have to pay the reduced cost — no need to file for insurance.
#3. Look for dentists who provide discounts for cash payments
You can look for the nearest dentist who provides discounts for upfront cash payments. Some dentists provide approximately a 5% discount for patients willing to clear the entire bill upfront in cash. This saves the dental clinic considerable hassle from chasing after payments, so they’re willing to offer a discount. However, dental clinics don’t advertise this openly, so you’ll need to ask the front desk in person.
#4. Find the closest dentist with an in-house membership plan
Look for an affordable dentist near me with an in-house membership plan. Some dental clinics provide annual memberships for a nominal rate, which gives you access to free dental cleanings, exams, and check-ups. Some dental membership plans also make you eligible for 5% or 10% discounts on their dental treatments and products. As such, it’s worth identifying dental clinics with in-house membership plans — that may be more reasonable than insurance.
#5. Look for flexible, low-interest third-party payment options
You can also look for flexible, low-interest third-party payment options, such as CareCredit. Your dental clinic can surely help you find the appropriate financing options. CareCredit is essentially a credit card used purely for medical costs and payments. It’s one of the most popular medical third-party plans because of its no-interest and low-interest payment options.
#6. Maintain optimal oral health and go for dental cleanings
The best way to minimize the cost of your dental treatments is to avoid needing expensive treatments. You can avoid expensive dental problems, such as periodontitis and severe dental cavities, with optimal oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings. You should go for dental cleanings once every six months to maintain perfect oral health. Furthermore, if the dentist identifies some dental problems, such as cavities, you should get them treated immediately to prevent them from worsening, which would necessitate more expensive treatments.
What is a dental bridge?
A dental bridge is one of the most popular tooth replacement options. It’s a series of fake teeth (pontics) supported on either side by dental crowns or dental implants. If you get crown-supported bridges, the pontics will replace the missing teeth, and the crowns will be attached to the surrounding healthy teeth, also known as the abutment teeth. In this case, the healthy teeth have to be filed down to accommodate the crown. If you get an implant-supported bridge, the dentist will place an implant into the empty socket on either extreme of the missing teeth, and the bridge will be supported on the implants.
How long do bridges last?
A dental bridge can last for 10 to 15 years with optimal care and maintenance. You must brush your teeth regularly, including the bridges. And you should also floss on the regions around the bridge, including the region where the bridge meets your gums. With proper care, your dental bridge can last for 15 years or more.
How much do bridges cost?
The cost of a dental bridge depends on numerous factors, such as the type of bridge, the number of missing teeth, the materials used, and more. Please contact an emergency dentist near me for an evaluation and an overview of the treatment cost.
What are the advantages of having a dental bridge?
- Can replace more than one missing tooth at once
- Last for up to 15 years with proper care
- No risk of the bridge slipping out
- Maintaining a dental bridge is easy
- Minimally invasive and simple procedure
- Completely safe and reliable
Where can I get affordable dental care in Houston?
URBN Dental is one of the most reliable dental clinics for affordable dental care in Houston. We accept all major health insurances, are led by PPO dentists and provide comprehensive preventative treatments to avoid needing major dental treatments. If you’re looking for the nearest dentist, you can find our dental clinics in Midtown Houston and Uptown Houston, TX. Please schedule an appointment with a dentist close to me for more information.