It’s a complaint many dentists hear all too often: “Dentistry is so expensive. I just can’t afford it.”
The cost of dental care is a valid concern, but one that should be weighed carefully against the greater context of healthcare costs. In our last entry, we discussed the link between poor dental hygiene and heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart valve replacement surgery costs, on average, between $80,000 and $200,000. Compare this with the average cost of dental implants; roughly $5000. This procedure, while still expensive, is a small fraction of the cost of medical procedures you may have to undergo as a result of neglecting your dental health.
Other fairly routine implant surgeries, such as knee replacements, can cost upwards of $50,000 – ten times more than dental implants. Also, bear in mind that the cost of the procedure is only the beginning of your total medical expenses. During a stay recuperating in a hospital, a single Advil might cost patients as much as $100. This is nearly as expensive as the cost of filling a cavity.
With the cost of medical care at an all-time high, it’s imperative that people take preventative measures to avoid paying for prohibitively expensive procedures down the road. Dental hygiene is a critical component of our health and well-being. By taking good care of our teeth, we can make an investment in our future that can potentially save us tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses.
Want to learn more about the dental services and payment program available at Modern Family Dental Care? Give us a call at one of our Charlotte or Concord dentist offices today for more information.
