Belt-tightening Brits who neglect their teeth in the hope of saving money risk a shocking rise in the price of restorative dental treatments.
The amount spent on corrective dental surgery has more than tripled in the last two years, according to figures released this week.
This hike follows a dramatic increase in cancelled check-ups and appointments, which are six times higher in 2009 than they were in 2007.
North West dental practice, Manor Dental Practice, has seen the amount of money its patients have spent in preventive dental treatments rise from £52,600 in 2007, to £106,000 in 2008 and £162,000 in 2009.
The cost of fillings alone over the same time period has risen from £20,000 to £71,000.
These statistics reflect a false belief by some that avoiding dental appointments will save money.
However, dentists argue this is not the case citing the fact that if annual maintenance costs around £144.60 per person per year – including two health checks and hygiene visits – restorative work costs approximately between £75 for a filling and £475 for a crown, per tooth.
Patients seeking restorative treatments spend on average, £458 per visit; over three times as much as the cost of yearly maintenance.
Dr Anjali Shahi, founder of Manor Dental Practice, feels that the majority of these procedures are entirely preventable.
She said: ‘It's quite common that in times of financial difficulty, one of the first things to go is visits to the dentist. Whilst I can completely sympathise with those who are trying to economise, people need to realise that going to the dentist is not a luxury: it's a necessity to maintain good health. If your arm would not stop bleeding, you would see a doctor. The same should be true of your gums; if they are bleeding, you need to see a dentist.'
The practice has seen a steady increase of failed appointments, rising from 297 in 2007, to 870 in 2009. This figure echoes the number of appointments cancelled, which has grown from 585 in 2007, to a staggering 3,900 in 2009.
Dr Shahi added: ‘The fact is it's proven false economy to miss dental appointments. Whilst it may seem appealing to save a hundred pounds or so over the course of a year, there's a real risk of ending up spending thousands repairing preventable damage – not to mention hours off work in the dentist's chair.'
Source : Dentistry.co.uk
Cosmetic Dentistry Costs
Price wise, procedures such as veneers and dental implants are at the top of the list. Veneers are good looking and are supposed to be permanent. Still, there is a chance for them to break in case of not handling them carefully. If they are damaged you can end up paying even more than what you already paid.
Different cosmetic dentistry firms have different price tags to various treatments. The following estimate might give you an idea of the expensiveness of this kind of dentistry.
• Dental Implants - $3000-$4000 per tooth
• Porcelain Veneers - $600-$1000 per veneer
• Teeth Whitening - Anything from $600-$2600 depending on procedure
• Porcelain Crowns - $800-$1600 per crown
Whoa!! What Cosmetic Dentistry Prices Include?
As already discussed, the prices vary from practice to practice. Usually the price depends on the aftercare you are going to receive. Generally speaking, the higher the price the better the aftercare.
The whole price cannot be resolved generally. This is obvious because everybody is different and the amount of work to be done, actually, depends on the person. For instance, Veneers need a lot of the original tooth to be removed.
It is advised to search for cosmetic dentists that can actually offer some low prices on their treatments. Also, check with your dentist about the elements in the bill and ask them to make it clear before you actually pay them.
Cosmetic dentistry costs will vary from practice to practice. A little research will always help so that you get the right treatment at the right affordable price.
Source: Comparisons of Cosmetic Dentistry Costs
A guide to cosmetic dentistry procedures
Procedure: Whitening to remove discoloration from coffee, cigarettes or tobacco, or to correct yellowing due to aging.
How it's done: Two options: in-office power bleaching or an at-home process using trays and prescription bleaching gel.
What it costs: In office (depending on number of sessions), $300-$700; at home, $200-$400.
Procedure: Veneers
How it's done: Thin, custom-made moldings cover the fronts of unsightly teeth, to correct stained, misshapen and crooked teeth.
What it costs: $900-$2,200 per tooth
Procedure: Crowns
How it's done: Also known as caps, they are coverings that fit over teeth, typically thicker than veneers. Crowns may be necessitated when teeth are broken or chipped or where an old, broken filling is in place.
What it costs: $800-$2,000 per tooth
Procedure: Bonding
How it's done: A composite is applied to the tooth, typically to close a gap or make a minor adjustment to a tooth that's otherwise well-shaped and white.
What it costs: $300-$900 (depends on the size of the bonding)
Source: www.dallasnews.com
