Crowns are an effective way of replacing missing teeth; however, these treatments are not always cheap. You can't always plan ahead and save up to pay for the crown and its associated treatments — often, you'll find out you need a crown out of the blue and with no warning. If you're a bit strapped for cash right now, then there are ways to cut costs on your dental crown. What are they?
Consider Metal Crowns
Crowns are made from various materials, some of which are cheaper than others. Metal crowns are often the most cost-effective option. So, opting for metal saves you money compared to other crowns.
There is a drawback here. Metal crowns don't tend to be used to replace front teeth. These crowns are metal coloured and not white. They don't look good at the front of your mouth. However, if you're having a crown made for a back tooth, then this is less of a problem. Metal isn't so obvious at the back of the mouth. Plus, metal crowns are very strong and are well able to cope with the stresses that your back teeth have to deal with.
Choose Cheaper White Crowns
If you need a white crown, then talk to your dentist about available options. White crowns are not all made from the same materials. This affects their cost. For example, you may find that crowns made from acrylic resins are less expensive than crowns made from porcelain.
It's important to realise that you have a trade-off here between cost and longevity. While less expensive crowns are robust and should last for years, they may not last as long as other crowns, so you may need to replace them sooner in the future.
Look for a Payment Plan
If your main problem with the costs of your crown is immediate cash flow, then a payment plan may help. While some plans give you discounted treatment, others simply spread the cost of your treatment over a set period of time. Your dentist may be affiliated with a plan. If not, you can sign up on a stand-alone basis.
This may not save you money on your crown costs; however, it does mean that you can pay for your treatment with smaller amounts as you go along rather than having to make larger lump sum payments. In some cases, your dentist may also agree to informal staggered payments. To find out more, talk to your dentist and ask if it's possible to get cheap dental crowns.
Share4 October 2018
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
