Question:
I want to get porcelain veneers, but it seems like every New York dentist
charges unbelievable prices. Prices like $1200 per tooth on average. I don't
want to be cheap, since this is a big procedure, but I was wondering if there
is a well known dentist that charges a little less? I know that in NYC the
prices will be a lot higher, so maybe there are dentists in other parts of New
York that charge less due to location and maybe other factors. Thanks! Also,
when calling up some of these offices and asking for their consultation prices,
they were also crazy! I didn't know that you can be charged as much as $150 per
consultation.
Answer:
If there are none here in your locality, (many are not listed) contact the
folks at this website, they may be able to help, and yes that price is
wayyyyyyyyy over board!
how much time do you intend to take in the consultation process? 1/2
hour? more? the dentistmight net $50 out of that $150. Remember the
lights,rent,staff, etc for a NYC office.
Really good dentistry requires a talented and committed dentist, great
staff support and a great lab. None of this comes cheap. Besides,
cosmetic procedures as opposed to "hey doc just get this tooth out so
I can sleep" dentistry is a horse of a different color. how would you
feel if after the veneers were done,the dentist said "I know the color
is off a little but I'm 15% cheaper than those guys in downtown NYC.
I thought price was important to you so I used a little cheaper lab."
The key word here is "well known". There is no specialty of cosmetic dentistry
as such. The well-known cosmetic dentists are generally those who by force of
personality or results, got their names out early. They are dental "celebrities"
who charge these fees because, frankly, they can. This does not mean they don't
deserve those fees. After all, if you want a Bentley and can pay, you'll pay for
one.
Most of the common cosmetic treatments have been out there for a while, and
have become part of everyday practice for most dentists. I'd recommend you ask
friends/ acquaintances who've had some cosmetic treatment done well. I'll bet you
get some names without the Hollywood cachet who will do an excellent job.
I didn't take his post to be nasty at all. He is just trying to explain the
reasons behind why dentistry is so expensive, which was part of your
complaint. Dentists get tired of hearing things like "He must need to pay
his boat payment, that's why he wants to do that crown now."
Granted, most dentists make a pretty good living, but if I went to college
for 8+ years, I would expect the same. So would you. I have a dentist
friend who just paid off his student loans last year and he graduated in
1989! Can you imagine? He had thousands and thousands of dollars in loans!
So you're asking what? Someone to say, "Oh, go to Dr. So-and-So, just
outside the city. He'll give you a good deal."? If your only question is
who to go to cheap, either do a search online or just get a phone book and
go down the line. But, like he said, you may just get what you pay for.
