SmartHealthBuyer Blog

The fee for a dental cap - also know as a dental crown  varies  according to three
main factors, the materials used in the crown, the geographical location of the dentist, and the speciality of the dentist.

Crowns are made from all sorts of different material. For example,

  1. Gold alloy  crowns are the most expensive, particularly as the price of gold has risen over the past few years quite dramatically. This is the longest lasting, but many people don't like to see gold in their teeth and prefer the more natural porcelain. A full cast - the most expensive - High noble Bold Crown will cost an average of $1350.

   2. Porcelain fused to gold alloy (Different alloys are available; the more precious metal, the higher the dentist's lab fee)  You can expect to pay around an average of $912 for
a porcelain crown fused to gold alloy.
 
  3. Porcelain fused to non-precious metal You can expect to pay around an average of $850 for a porcelain crown fused to non-precious metal. The cost to the dentist and the lab is nearly the same because it takes the same time no matter what the metal.

   4. All porcelain - cheaper but easier to break. You can expect to pay around an average of $800 for all porcelain crown.

   5. Composite resin.  Some dentists use computer aided graphics to generate the caps and have them made right there and then in the office. The equipment is expensive, and the cost has to be passed on.


These average fees may vary considerably according to the location of the dentist.  For example dentists in New York, San Francisco and LA always charge considerably more because of the higher cost of living in these areas.  To find out prices in your local area try http://www.smarthealthbuyer.com/Dental/ which has a comprehensive database of dental costs.

A specialist dentist may also charge more for the work. As in everything you get what you pay for. A dental specialist will often produce work which is of a much higher quality than a generalist.

The term "dental sealant" or "tooth sealant" refers to a plastic resin that a dentist bonds into the grooves of the chewing surface of a tooth as a means of helping to prevent the formation of tooth decay("cavities").

Why are Dental Sealants placed on Teeth?

Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria found in dental plaque (the white film that forms on a person's teeth). In general, the longer dental plaque remains on a tooth's surface the more likely it will be able to form a cavity. The idea behind brushing teeth is that dental plaque that has accumulated on a tooth's surface is scrubbed off. Some teeth however, related to aspects associated with their anatomy, are harder to clean than others. 

Some back teeth, especially molars, can be difficult for a person to clean because the grooves found on their chewing surface (the tooth's "pits and fissures") are deep and narrow. Even though the person brushes their teeth not all of the dental plaque that is present is cleansed off because the individual bristles of their toothbrush are simply too large to gain access into the depths of the tooth's grooves. Because some plaque has not been cleaned away, the tooth is at risk for the formation of decay.

By bonding plastic resin (the dental sealant) into the grooves of a tooth a dentist can create a tooth surface that is smoother. There are no longer any locations on the chewing surface of the tooth that the bristles of a toothbrush can't access and clean. Since dental plaque can be removed more easily and effectively, there is much less of a chance that tooth decay will form.

Another difficulty associated with a tooth having deep grooves is that in some instances the thickness of the enamel that lies at the base of the grooves is thinner than the enamel that encases other aspects of the tooth. This means that not only can deep narrow grooves make it more likely that tooth decay will form (because the tooth can't be cleansed effectively) but also that any decay that does form will have an easier time of penetrating through enamel layer (because it is less thick) and progressing on into the inner aspects of the tooth.

Are Dental Sealants worth they money and are they safe?

The idea of putting a plastic sealant on kids teeth is not appealing to many parents who are worried that the plastiic will inevitably wear off with chewing and be absorbed.

Sealants are composed of various resin systems which may include cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes and BIS-GMA products. The most commonly used products are generally comprised of BIS-GMA and are similar to composite resins used as tooth colored filling materials. Many studies have been done over the last 20 years to determine the safety and efficacy of these products. A recent study did raise questions regarding the estrogenic potential of one ingredient found in some sealant products. However, the only current documented adverse effect of dental sealants and their placement is allergic reaction.

However, studies have shown that sealants are very effective in preventing dental caries particularly in children who may not take the greatest care of their teeth. For example, one study of first permanent molars (a.k.a. six year molars) showed that 15 years after sealant placement, 69 percent had sound occlusal (chewing) surfaces. Only 17 percent of first permanent molars without sealants had sound occlusal surfaces.

Once a cavity is formed and the enamel no longer protects the teeth, it's only a question of time until more teeth decay occurs. In terms of the economics its not simply a question of looking at the average cost of a sealant - $50 and the average cost of an simple one surface amalgam filling $120, or resin based filing $160. However, factor in the cost of a deeper cavity some time later, a three surface filling will cost upwards of $200, and further decay, necessitating a crown or root canal, then the protection offered is clearly worth it. You check on the exact price of sealants in your area here http://www.smarthealthbuyer.com/Dental/price/Sealants_per_tooth/in/Louisiana/Baton_Rouge/  the link here is for Baton Rouge.

If you know your children eat poorly and drink sugared drinks, the investment will pay off in spades. While the thought of small layer of plastic on the back molars may be somewhat disturbing thing of the amount of plastic needed for a full set of dentures later on in life.

Here at SmartHealthBuyer we get many people looking to find comparison prices for dental procedures. Many consumers have the same issues time and time again. They start off with a few fillings, then need crowns, and then finally root canals or eventually implants. In each case the cost escalates as more and more treatment is necessary. Almost universally, they all say: "But I have been brushing my teeth regularly, using mouthwash, and seeing my dentist." What is going on? What can you do to act now to prevent future dental problems?

1   Visit your dentist and ask specifically what can you do to prevent future problems with your teeth. Your dentist may recommend dental sealants, more frequent visits or more regular cleaning sessions. You can use Smarthealthbuyer to find the average price of sealants in your area, and make a booking with one of our dentists. Many dentists on SmartHealthBuyer have special offers for first time patients.

2   A very surprising factor in dental health is diet. Most people do not get sufficient calcium, vitamins and minerals to prevent bone loss. As your body begins to become malnourished, it starts to rob the teeth to gain access to more of the vital calcium. In order to increase the calcium and strengthen the enamel, you first have to avoid foods that strip calcium from the body. Soda is amongst the worst of the worst, but almost all processed flour and sugar products are to be avoided. Fortify your diet with lots of homemade soups made from real stock. This will add plenty of readily digestible calcium from the fish and meat bones. Get plenty of Vitamin D, and eat plenty of yellow butter, eggs and seafood.

3    Buy yourself a dental irrigator. You can pick up a dental irrigator for less than $50 which allows you to really clean your teeth by using high pressure water that will pick your teeth and get at the gum line. Even simpler, are special devices which you can just attach to the tap, and create a high pressure spray. These have no electronic parts and almost can't go wrong. You can add a gentle herbal cleanser to the irrigator or use salt and hydrogen peroxide.

4   Avoid the use of mouthwash containing alcohol.

Everyone knows that health care costs are spiraling out of control in the US. Although the latest figures show that costs are declining modestly, Insurance premiums are multiplying much faster than inflation, which stagnates economic growth and leaves businesses and consumers with less money to invest or spend. The Senate kicked off the confirmation process for President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet picks this week. First to go before a Senate committee was former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, who is due to head up the Department of Health and Human Services. Daschle says his first and largest task will be to work with Congress to overhaul the nation's health care system. The plan is aggressive - universal health care is expected to cost at least $60 billion a year if passed and Daschle wants to act quickly. the $60 billion may be small fry compared to the financial bail-outs, but nevertheless hugely ambitious on top of the already needed "stimulus" package. What can we expect from Mr. Daschle? If his book "Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis," is a predictor, we can expect a very quick push to expand government health care under the care of a National Health Board similar to that of the UK, or Canada. The prognosis is not good for patients or taxpayers. While for many Americans the idea of "universal health care" may be appealing, anyone who has live in the UK or Canada is painfully aware of the pitfalls of having a government official decide which treatments are endorsed and which treatments are not. Anyone who believes such a board is not going to become politicized also believes in fairies at the bottom of the garden. The UK is painfully slow to adapt to new technology and new procedures and drugs. The unelected board, perforce will stifle competition for the best innovations in care. Because the government is such a major player in the US health-care market (46% of health-care spending comes from the government), the board would effectively set parameters for private insurers as well. What can you as an individual do about this? Allowing an unelected Government committee to decide which treatments are allowable just won't work. The best thing you can do individually is to take control over your healthcare. Visit with preventive health specialists to ensure that you have detoxified your body and your home and environment, and work with a naturopathic doctor to ensure that you have the right nutrition for your metabolic type. Take out a "major medical plan" designed for emergency use only with a large deductable. This will offer you protection from a major accident or illness, and will save you thousands of dollars in premiums. You can spend the extra cash on eating well, and supplementing your healthcare with treatments from alternative practitioners. At Smarthealthbuyer.com we've made it easy to look up prices and compare treatments from thousands of alternative practitioners across the US. You can read reviews, ask questions and even book on-line.

The Dow may have fallen in the largest single drop in 20 years, and home prices are continuing their downward spiral, but at least you have your health - right?

According to a Kaiser Survey, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, the annual cost of an average family health plan rose to $12,680 this year, more than double the $5,791 it cost in 1999. Workers' annual contributions to those premiums have also more than doubled, to $3,354 in 2008 from $1,543 in 1999. What's more, employees are taking on an increasingly greater share of health-care spending beyond premiums. The biggest shift in costs has come in the form of rising deductibles. About 18% of all workers with some kind of health coverage face deductibles of at least $1,000, up from 12% in 2007.

The trend is very clear to see. Companies are increasing the consumer out-of--pocket and providing less and less coverage, because they cannot afford it.

Unlike the falling stock market, or the housing market, you can actually do something about health care costs. There are so simple things that you can do for you and your family's health that can make a dramatic difference to how much you spend each month on health-care. Here's a list of the Top Five things you can do now.

1   Assess your current health state. Go and visit a Naturopathic Doctor and have them perform toxicology and blood and urine tests. Together with your doctor, you will be able to eliminate toxins that have accumulated in your body, and work on a diet and detoxification plan that will be personalized for your metabolic type. Eliminating toxins, and ensuring that your diet supplies the necessary nutrients in a controlled tested environment is the single best thing you can do to improve your health and prevent disease.

2 If you are in good health consider taking out a "Catastrophic" or "major medical" plans. These plans basically pay out only in the event you need major hospital stays, surgery, intensive care, diagnostic, X-ray and lab tests, and have a high deductible. You pay a much reduced monthly rate, and will typically have to pay for doctors visitors out-of-pocket. This type of policy makes sense if you are in good health, exercise, take care of yourself and have a great diet and no medical problems. Think about it like this. If you are a careful driver, with no claims over 15 years, would you expect to pay the same as a 20 year-old boy racer with a string of accidents who pays no attention or respect to other road users? 

3  Use http://www.smarthealthbuyer.com to find the best practitioners in your area. Read the reviews, look up their experience and choose your provider.

4  Buy the best food you can. Eat as much raw food as you can. Save money and avoid most restaurant food.

5  Excercise, excercise, excercise.  Your body and your mind will thank you for it first, your wallet second!

• In today’s society the walls between patients and practitioners are being broken down. People are now going to their internet first before their doctors to get their advice if not consultation. Doctors are soon becoming their second opinion. This is mainly due to the fact that the internet breaks all boundaries that used to exist between patients and practitioners. Many practitioners fear this change because it increases the chance of misdiagnosis and price competition. With increased amounts of consumers using the internet as a source, this does increase the likelihood of consumers getting bad information. This is why the internet needs to supplement practitioners but not replace them.

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• There are numerous aspects that the internet has had a huge affect on. Price visibility in a medical field that traditionally has had a shroud over it, now being lifted with websites like www.smarthealthbuyer.com. Sites like Smart Health Buyer provide an average price for different cosmetic and dental procedures based off of zip codes throughout the whole United States. These price visibility sites will evenly lead to price competition and a decrease in procedure costs for consumers. By becoming educated on medical prices it helps consumers to have a better idea of what they should be paying for procedures. Sites like these are especially helpfully in the alternative medical field where insurances usually don’t cover and consumers are forced to pay out of pocket.

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• Social networking site also provide insight to health tips and home remedies that used to be word of mouth but are now being spread over the net. Sites like www.ourhealthwisdom.com and http://www.righhealth.com/ provide patient communities where people talk in forums and help others with medical questions. No longer do patients always have to go to a doctor and schedule an appointment or wait in the waiting room to find out about their issues. This provides consumers with an easy outlet for questions where anonymity is a must. Consumers are now able to talk to other patients who are going through or who have been through situation they are facing.

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• There are also vast resources and catalogs with pictures of conditions, which people can reference like www.webmd.com. They provide a reference point for consumers to learn about their own health and take it into their own hands. With increased use of the internet for a health resource we can only hope that people take it into their own hands and use these valuable resources in front of them. Here are a few links to some good websites that can provide consumers with information.

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1. www.smarthealthbuyer.com - website that displays average prices by zip codes of procedures for dental, lasik, plastic surgeries, acupuncture, and massage therapy.
2. www.ourhealthwisdom.com - a new social network that allows patients to discuss their conditions with other patients and look at suggested tips that have been voted on by others
3. www.webmd.com - a great resource of information that has been a cornerstone of health information for years.
4. http://answers.yahoo.com/ – a great source of information for people to ask and answer others questions

Healthcare costs are spiraling out of control. Fewer and fewer people will be able to receive the care they need, and fewer and fewer people can afford comprehensive health insurance to cover all their needs. Now that the economy is looking bleaker than ever, now is the time to learn how to deal with the ever increasing healthcare costs in order to receive the proper medical care.

In just about every imaginable sector, the internet has introduced price transparency. Want to know the price for used DVD of the Lion King? No problem. The price of a new 2 foot garden gnome? No problem.

How much should you pay for a 60 minute consultation and body burden text to measure your lifelong exposure to pollution, heavy metals and other environmental factors, along with a detailed lab report?  That's a tricky one.  How much for a root canal? Prices vary, by location, by dentist, by tooth, by the type of root canal. Few dentists will even give an estimate over the phone.

So, what do you do? Enter Smarthealthbuyer.com. We allow consumers to compare prices and procedures by location. You can look up the procedure details, and find a practitioner in your local area, as well as gain comparative costing information for each procedure. Our smart health price comparison engine can help you. 

It's that simple.