Dental Plans – Your Passport to Low Cost Dental Work

In today’s economy, every bit of saving counts. This is one reason people are traveling abroad for dental care because prices of dental crowns and bridges as well as same day implants cost in India, Mexico, Costa Rica and other leading dental tourism destinations are a lot less than in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and other developed countries. But if you aren’t up for traveling abroad for dental work, then you may be looking for affordable dental plans at home.

 

Family Plans

One way to get a more affordable dental plan is to sign up for a family plan. A family plan is typically around 50% more than an individual plan and can cover multiple people in your family.  By signing up as a family you will save more money than signing up as an individual.

Veteran Plans

If you are a veteran of the US military, then you may be eligible for a discounted dental plan.  Check with your local dental care provider to see if they offer a dental plan for US veterans.

Yearly Plans

Usually it is more economical to buy a yearly plan rather than a monthly dental plan. If you can afford to pay the total amount up front, try to buy a yearly plan.

Compare Plans

There are probably many different plans in your state. Some of them may be licensed and some may not be. In order to find the right dental plan for you and your family, compare different prices and see what each one covers. Licensed plans will have to adhere to strict guidelines set forth by your state.

One drawback to dental plans that you should keep in mind is that sometimes they are only applicable at participating clinics, which in turn charge higher prices. This makes the discount offered with the dental plan almost obsolete. Check not only the price of the dental plan, but also the price of various procedures at participating clinics to find out what your real savings will be.

Other Options for Dental Care

According to a Gallup Poll (covering the United Kingdom), low-income individuals are less likely to have visited a dentist than those in higher income groups. This may have something to do with the exorbitant prices one must pay out of pocket if he/she is not insured. 

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

If you are an American, the US congress passed a law to help you get dental coverage during times of unemployment. Your previous employer will be responsible for providing you with both dental and health insurance for up to 18 months after you’ve been let go.

Medicaid

This is an option for some Americans. To qualify for Medicaid you will need to meet eligibility requirements. The blind, disabled, and elderly may qualify for Medicaid. Those who are proven to be financially needy may also qualify. The requirements may vary from state to state, so it is advisable to see the requirements of your specific state.

Dental Work Along The US-Mexico Border

Dental work in the USA can be quite costly. Procedures such as dental implants, teeth whitening, and smile makeovers, among others, can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. Luckily, these procedures are a lot more affordable south of the border. Something as expensive as dental implants in the Arizona-Mexico border can be as much as 65% cheaper than in the United States, which makes traveling to the border for dental work an attractive option. 

 

Places to Get Dental Work Along the Border

Cost prevents many Americans from getting the dental care they need. If this is true for you too, then remember that it’s not worth it to sacrifice your dental health, particularly when there are plenty of affordable options. There are many Mexican border towns that offer easy-on-the-pocket dental care. At the border, you can get everything from a check up to a full mouth restoration for only a fraction of what you would pay in America. Some popular border towns for dental care include, but are not limited to:

·         Los Algodones. With about 8.5% of the population working as dentists, Los Algodones is a very popular dental care destination. Easily accessible by land from Yuma, Arizona, you can either stay the night before or after your procedure, or even go and come back to the United States the same day.

·         Tijuana. Easy to access from California, many people travel to Tijuana for dental procedures. It takes just a few short hours to reach Tijuana from San Diego.

·         Mexicali. Accessible from both California and Arizona, Mexicali is another popular dental tourism destination. 

Traveling Across the Border for Dental Care

 

It is so quick and easy to travel across the border for dental care that people residing in bordering states may even do so for routine checkups. When you travel to a Mexican border town, you do not require a passport; you simply need to carry a state-issued photo id card. Almost all border towns are accessible by private car or bus. When you travel to a border town for dental care:

·         Choose a good dentist. There are many dentists working in border towns, which means not all of them are created equal. It is easy to travel across the border and find a dentist without giving it any prior thought. However, this is not a recommended way to go about getting your dental work in a border town. Do some preliminary research prior to going to Mexico. Ask friends who have traveled for dental care for their recommendations. If you don’t know anyone who has traveled to Mexico for dental care, then research different doctors online.

·         Remember that saving money isn’t the only thing to worry about. When you travel to a Mexican border town for dental care, you will save money. However, there will be some dentists willing to perform your procedure for next to nothing. If a dentist is willing to work for a rate much below the market rate in the area, do a quick search on your smart phone to find out more about the dentist. 

·         Make sure you are comfortable. If you are not comfortable with the clinic or dentist when you arrive, remember that you are always free to opt out. There will always be other dentists to choose from. Never put your dental health at risk!

A Patient’s Guide to Dental Crowns

All ceramic or gold or porcelain fused to metal? Many choices are power to consumer, but not being able to choose on account of too many choices is a different deal altogether. After all, it’s not a bar of soap you’re shopping for. This post shall help you make informed choice by listing down pros and cons of different types of crowns and the places where they can be sourced affordably.

 

E-Max Crowns – All Ceramic

Most affordable place to source: The cost of E-max crowns in India is 40-70% lower than that in the U.K. or the U.S.A.

Pros:

• All ceramic durability 
•  Matches teeth color closely 
•  No metal alloy base, no grey lines near the base that resemble caries

Cons:

• Fewer fractures are reported if material thickness isn’t optimal 
• Expensive, when compared to other types of crowns

Gold Crowns – All Metal

Most affordable place to source: The cost of gold crowns in Mexico is almost half of what one would shell out in the United States.

Pros:

• Very precise crown-to-tooth fit 
• Sturdiest amongst crowns; hence, these crowns don’t chip 
• Gold alloys and tooth enamel have almost equivalent wear rate; this implies the opposing tooth wouldn’t be abraded by the gold crown

Cons:

• Gold crowns look unsightly 
• Your spouse may disapprove them; consult your spouse before you get them

PFMs – Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns

Most affordable place to source: Thailand, undoubtedly

Pros:

• The durability of metal 
• Aesthetics of porcelain

Cons:

• Requires 1.5mm removal of buccal tooth 
• Lacks appeal of natural teeth due to metal opacity

Zirconia Crown – All Ceramic

The most affordable to source: Zirconia crowns come really cheap in Costa Rica. Expect savings anywhere between 40-60% on the cost of the same in the United States.

Pros:

• The crystal from which zirconia crown is carved out is practically indestructible 
• Once placed, a zirconia crown is unidentifiable from natural teeth 
• Biocompatible; hence, no allergic reactions

Cons:

• The extreme toughness takes its toll on the natural enamel of the complementing teeth Zirconia is abrasive on other teeth 
• Zirconia crown is more expensive than e-max crown

Common Problems Associated with Permanent Crowns

Irrespective of the type, almost all dental crowns have problems such as:

• Bite doesn’t seem right 
• Crowned teeth are sensitive to hot and cold 
• In some cases, damage to tooth nerves makes root canal treatment essential in future