I just received an advertisement in the mail that said I could get dental implants for 75% off. Is that a legitimate offer? I know how much my dentist charges for dental implants. 75% off would be extremely helpful. Is it OK to go to this dentist with the sale just for this one procedure and then go back to my dentist for everything else?
Bethany – Minnesotta
Bethany,
There is an old adage/proverb that says, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.”
Let’s do a little math. In general, a single implant costs around $2000. At 75% off it would be $500. If they’re using high quality fixtures that have been approved by the FDA and ADA, the fixtures alone will cost from between $300 to $500. That doesn’t leave the dentist much profit, if any. If the dentist used a service to market his special they’ll take about half of his fee, which could leave the dentist in the red.
Now a dentist may have gone into the field because they like helping people, but they won’t stay in business long if they don’t make money. So, how do you think the dentist will handle the implant situation?
Many dentists are honest and will honor their special even if it means losing profit. However, there are dentists who will do whatever it takes to stay in the black, even if it is dishonest. Maybe he’ll use cheap dental implant fixtures. If so, that not only puts you at risk for dental implant failure, but can put your health at risk too. Maybe they’ll save money by placing mini implants instead of traditional implants. Or maybe they’ll raise their rates right before the 75% off, so as not to lose so much per procedure.
Whatever you decide, talk it over with your dentist. He will find out about you going somewhere else the next time you came in for an exam anyway, so you might as well get his input. Your dentist may even know the ohter dentist and can give you his opinion of hin or her.
The trust between a dentist and patient is irreplaceable.
This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.