Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

What if I Can’t Afford My Dental Procedure?

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I’m in need of replacing several teeth and my dentist is insisting I get dental implants. What do I do if I can’t afford the procedure? Are there options? Do I just leave the spaces blank?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Image of a traditional implant and the more affodable mini implant

A traditional dental implant compared to a mini implant

It actually makes me angry when I hear about situations like yours. Yes, dental implants are the ideal procedure when you’re talking about replacing several teeth, especially because of the possibility of facial collapse. But, they’re not the only procedure. His job, as your dentist, is to provide you an explanation of all the options available to you, give his recommendations and why, then let you decide. Not everyone is working under the same budget.

Finding Affordable Dental Options

In your situation you have several choices.

  1. Affordable dental implants. Things like implant overdentures are a great option when you can’t afford the ideal. You’re certainly not the only one facing this, so don’t feel badly about it.
  2. A Dental Bridge. Depending on how many teeth you’re talking about, this could be a great secondary option, especially if any of the adjacent teeth are in need of a crown anyway.
  3. A removable partial denture. This would be my least favorite option because your quality of living won’t be as high, but it is still an option. It can often be used as a temporary solution while you work out financing for the ideal.
  4. Payment Plans. Many dentists work to be affordable, do that by offering payment plans so you can get the care you need, then slowly pay it off. Some do in-house payment plans. Other dentists use Care Credit—a medical credit card that offers low and no interest payment plans.

This is the minimum amount of information your dentist should have provided you. If you’re not getting the whole picture, you might be better served getting your oral healthcare elsewhere.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

I’m Being Bullied By My Dentist

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I’ve lost several teeth. I don’t have much money, so I thought I’d get a removable partial denture. My dentist insists I get dental implants. He keeps telling me I’ll ruin my life with dentures, but I don’t want to go into debt for a procedure I can’t afford. He won’t shut up about it. Is it really that horrible a decision?

Brooke – Texas

Brooke,

This type of behavior from a dentist really galls me. While dental implants may be the top of the line treatment, it also comes with a top of the line price tag. Not everyone can afford that. And dentists need to understand that.

There is something called phased treatment that affordable dentists are very willing to suggest and provide. You can start off with a removable partial denture. Possibly you could even afford to have it anchored with a mini implant. Then as you have the money you can switch to a full implant. Depending on how many teeth you’ve lost, you may only need one or two.

While his methods are a bit bullish, he likely only has your well-being in mind. Dentures can be uncomfortable and reduce your chewing capacity no matter how well made they are. Then, there is the loss of jaw bone minerals that come from not having a tooth root anymore. With dental implants, the body is tricked into thinking that root is still there and you retain all your minerals.

In your place, I would just tell him this is what you can afford and that’s that. If you’re interested in working toward another treatment, you can tell him that. It may shut him up. But, either way, it’s your mouth, your budget, and your choice.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

I REALLY don’t want dentures!

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I’m hoping you can help me.  I’m losing my teeth. Partly because I didn’t care for them well and partly because I just didn’t have the money to go to the dentist regularly.  Now I’m going to lose all my teeth. I can’t afford dental implants, but I really, really, really don’t want dentures. I’m going to feel like a 90 year old and I’m only 42.  Is there any way to get affordable dental implants?

Carrie M. – Maine

Carrie,

I don’t want to make you feel worse, but at your age, I think dentures are an extremely bad idea. Once your teeth are removed, your body begins to reabsorb the minerals from your jawbone throughout your body. By the time you are 50, it is quite likely that your denture will no longer fit because there won’t be enough jawbone to support them. Hopefully your dentist warned you about this.

I understand you don’t have the money for implants, but there are affordable dentists that will work with you. They could to low or no interest payment plans, or even phased treatments.

This is serious, so speak with your dentist or another one about your options.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Snap on smile with a bridge

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Can I use snap on smile if I have a dental bridge? I have an eight tooth bridge and one of the teeth broke. My dentist said the whole unit will have to be replaced and I just can’t afford that.

Cecil T.- Missouri

Cecil,

Yes, Snap-on Smile can work with a dental bridge. To tell you if it can work with your particular bridge, I would have to examine you. However, the general answer is yes, it can fit right over your bridge work.  Even if it will work in your situation, you need to be aware that Snap-on Smile is only a temporary solution. The units only last about four years, so you’ll need to be prepared for a more permanent solution in the future.

One of the problems with a dental bridge with several units is that when part of it breaks the whole unit needs to be replaced. I hope your dentist warned you of that ahead of time. The ideal treatment for missing teeth would be dental implants. They work as individual units, just like your natural teeth. However, they are more expensive than a bridge. I know that won’t work in your current situation, but it is something you might try to save up for in the future, especially since the Snap-on Smile won’t last forever.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

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