How Much Does Dental Care Cost?
Washington, DC
 Time and time again, research has proven that dental care is a critical aspect of general health and well-being. From aiding in digestion to bettering speech and enhancing self-esteem, your smile plays a major role in your day-to-day activities. As such, taking care of your oral health and keeping up with its hygiene isn't a luxury but rather a necessity that should be invested in early on.
However, with the rising inflation, keeping up with even the most basic healthcare can seem like a challenging task. The key to staying on top of your finances lies in understanding which treatments are absolutely crucial and when they should be opted for.
Dental Care and Its Costs
Modern-day advancements have given rise to several dental care procedures, some utterly necessary for disease prevention and proper function, while others more targeted for the aesthetic betterment of one's smile. We have listed the most common of these, along with general price quotations.
Routine Cleaning
Dental cleanings, professionally called dental prophylaxis or scaling and polishing, is a routine dental procedure performed by a dental hygienist or dentist. The process generally begins with a dental professional examining your teeth and gums to assess their overall health and identify any potential issues. The goal of this examination is to recognize the areas where plaque has become deposited over time. Plaque can be defined as a layer of bacteria that forms on the teeth, and if left unattended for long, it can harden into tartar or calculus. The dental professional will use specialized instruments to carefully remove the plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, including those hard-to-reach areas on the back side of your teeth.
After tartar removal, the dental professional may use scaling instruments or an ultrasonic scaler to eliminate any remaining deposits from the tooth surfaces. Lastly, the doctor will polish them using a special paste and a rotating brush or a polisher to remove surface stains and discoloration.
Cost
The cost of dental cleanings can vary depending on various factors, such as the geographic location, the specific dental practice, the severity of the cleaning required, and whether you have dental insurance. Generally, dental cleaning costs can range from $75 to $200 or more.
When a patient's tooth is completely or partially destroyed due to the presence of bacteria or infection, the doctors will usually proceed by first cleaning the affected region and then strengthening the weakened core of the tooth with the help of a crown. Dental crowns, also called dental caps, are a custom-made tooth-shaped restoration that is layered over a damaged or chipped tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. It acts like a protective cover for the tooth, encasing it entirely above the gum line.
To begin cap formation, the patient is asked to bite into a mold leaving behind an impression of their teeth. A cap is then constructed, tailor-made to match the shape and color of the patient's natural teeth. Once developed, dental crowns are bonded with the natural teeth using dental adhesive.
Cost
Largely influenced by the quality of the material used, Dental crowns can vary anywhere between $80 to $200 per tooth.
In case of complete loss of a tooth due to decay, accident or any other dental issues, dental professionals recommend getting dental implants before proceeding with any other procedure. These are prosthetic teeth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone to provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth or dental crowns.
The process of acquiring a dental implant begins with a full oral assessment. Your provider will examine your mouth, gums and jawbone to assess whether or not dental implants work for you by using x-rays, CT scans, or other imaging techniques. In the first surgical procedure, the dental implant, usually made of titanium, is placed into the jawbone beneath the gum line. After a few months, the implant, when fused with the jawbone, is connected to a small piece called an abutment that is attached to the top of the implant. This serves as a base for attaching the artificial tooth or dental crown. Once the abutment is in place, a custom-made dental crown is attached to it, providing a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.
Cost
Depending on factors like the number of implants needed, the type of implant used, and its location within the mouth, implants can range from $1,000 to $4,000 or more. For a more accurate estimate, we recommend reaching out to Kiarash Saba DMD at Capital Dental Center. Keep in mind additional costs will be added if you require extractions, x-rays or other dental assistance.
Mostly used for aesthetic purposes, dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of either porcelain or composite resin. They are designed to cover the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance and correct imperfections such as discoloration, chips, gaps, or misalignment.
To prepare your teeth for veneers, a small amount of enamel is usually removed from the front surface of the teeth.
This ensures that the veneers fit properly and look natural. Local anesthesia may be used during this process, although in some cases, minimal or no tooth preparation is required. After tooth preparation, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This impression will be sent to an orthodontics laboratory, where the veneers will be personalized to match the desired size, shape, and color of your teeth. Once the permanent veneers are ready to install, the dentists will check their fit and appearance, later bonding them with your teeth using dental adhesive or cement.
Cost
Depending on whether dental veneers are made of porcelain, resin or composite, their price can vary between $800 to $2,500 or more per tooth.
The Journey Towards a Bright Smile Begins Here
When it comes to dental health, opting for the most reliable and reputable professional in the field is key to ensuring oral wellness. With years of professional expertise Kiarash Saba DMD at Capital Dental Center can help assess and cater to your dental needs in the best way possible. |
