Dental Veneers Changed My Life

Saving Money On A Dental Crown

4 November 2015 by Harold Coleman

Dental work tends to be expensive, and for good reason: Not only are the materials and equipment pricey, but many dental procedures take a great deal of time and effort. While you may understand why prices are high, it can be frustrating to need expensive dental care and not have the funds to pay for it. If you have been told that you need to have a dental crown, you might be overwhelmed by the prospect of spending a thousand dollars or more. Here are some ideas for making the expense more bearable.

Maximize Your Dental Insurance

This seems obvious at first pass, but not all dental insurance companies cover all crown procedures. One common coverage policy is that the insurance company and the patient each cover 50 percent of the crown. Some types of crown, however, such as porcelain crowns on teeth that are not front teeth, might not be covered. It's important to talk to someone at the insurance company to find out exactly what will be covered. The receptionist at your dental office can usually do this for you.

Also, keep in mind that many policies reset on the first of the year. This can mean that you will have more coverage if you used up all of your coverage the year before. It also means that you might have to pay your deductible again. Be sure to check this to see what your out-of-pocket expense will be if you have the work done in the new year.

Look Into Outside Financing

Your dental office might offer in-house payment plans. Often, these consist of having a certain amount of money deducted from your credit card each month until the balance is paid off. Another common payment plan is to pay half of the procedure's cost at the first visit and the other half at the second (or last) visit. If neither of these appeal to you, don't forget about the option to look for private financing options. You might use a loan or apply for a credit card with six months or one year free of interest. Explore all of your options.

Ask for a Lower Priced Crown

Stainless steel crowns and those that are part metal and part porcelain are often less expensive than those made of gold or only porcelain. Not every type of crown is appropriate for every patient, however, so ask for your dentist's best judgement on this matter. Let him or her know that you are on a budget and ask if a less expensive type of crown will work for your particular case.

Paying for dental care can be difficult, but with several different financing options, some dental insurance coverage and some flexibility, you should be able to make this investment in your smile's future. Contact a company like Pinon Hills Dental for more information.

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