Issue 14.12
If you’ve lost teeth to the point that it is either cosmetically a problem or you can’t eat very well, dentistry does have answers. Just watch the TV and you’ll hear testimonials of how wonderful it is to smile and chew again. Which treatment option may be right for you? It may be time for a reality check when cost is a consideration. The total replacement of all teeth with the popular “all on four” (meaning four specialized implants and a special kind of hybrid bridge/denture) can be between $20,000 to $30,000 per dental arch or in other words $50,000 to $60,000 dollars for the entire mouth. A complete set of dentures runs on average $2,200.00 in Saint George besides the cost of tooth extractions. A partial denture can be around $1,100. A single crown can be $900. There are the cut-rate, down-graded outfits that may charge less or half (of what?) but that’s a whole other ball game. One way or another, the old adage that you get what you pay for generally applies. There are a number of considerations the dentist must choose from when offering you a choice. He bases his proposal on experience and training with different materials and devices. He must choose materials that work best in his hands, for his patients. The best advice I can give you when it comes to complicated major dental treatment plans is to get more than one opinion or estimate. Become educated the best you can on your overall options and then go with your intuition and feelings about what has been proposed to you. Ask around; reputation and experience count for a lot. If your family and relatives have the experience of having been well treated for years by the same dentist, then that counts for a lot, versus the new in town highly discounted, slick add, discount, dental office. Buyer beware!
Phillip Hall is a practicing general dentist in St. George. He is also head of the St. George Craniofacial Treatment Center, and operates St. George Dental Careers, a successful dental assisting school. Board Certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Appointments for general dentistry or dentures call 656-1111. For sleep apnea appliances or TMJ problems call 634-8338.