If you are like most patients, then you never really pay much attention to how the cost of your dental treatments and processes are determined. However, for the select few who might be interested in just how the final figure is arrived at, here are a few hints.

The basics

Basically, a dentist is like any other service industry professional. The charges are determined by the cost of the actual service they provide: the time it takes to complete the service provided and a portion of the office overhead. The office overhead includes the cost of maintaining quality staff, the equipment the office uses, and the continuing education of the dentist and support staff in the office.

The nature of the treatment

Obviously, the nature of the procedure matters when determining the final cost. A simple checkup will cost much less than a more invasive procedure, like a root canal. Sometimes, depending on the nature of the materials or the techniques used, one procedure might have different variations in cost. When having dentures or veneers made, for instance, there are different options to choose from, each coming at a different cost.

Insurance

The dental field is perhaps the most committed to treatment of the less fortunate, accepting a wide range of insurance programs. Insurance benefits are determined by the nature of the contract with the insurance company. The insurance company is paid by your employer or the government, and they in turn use this to pay for your fees. Most insurance plans have fees that are covered by the insurance company, and fees that the patient has to pay out of their own pocket.

A combination of basic overhead, training, the materials used, and nature of the treatment, as well as prices set by insurance companies results in the final price that we charge. At LB Dental in Phoenix, we are upfront with all our fees, so there are no surprises.

If you’ve gotten a quote from another dental provider, remember that we always offer free consultations and free second opinions!