If you want your teeth to remain healthy, it's important that you maintain them on a regular basis. A standard dental cleaning can help you determine if there are any dental problems that you're currently suffering from. Before you visit the dentist, it's recommended that you better understand what the more common dental procedures typically cost. While the costs of these procedures aren't always high, knowing what you might need to pay beforehand should help you determine what level of care you can afford. The following offers a pricing guide to five of the more common dental procedures that you can obtain in East Los Angeles.
Cost of Dental Fillings
If you've been diagnosed with one or more cavities, the treatment for this dental condition involves removing the decayed section of the tooth before filling the space with a substance that will keep your tooth looking healthy. Dental fillings can also be used for the treatment of broken teeth or cracked teeth. While dental fillings aren't highly expensive, the costs can add up if you need to obtain more than one filling. There are also several different materials available for dental fillings, each of which comes with a slightly different cost. The two primary materials that are used for fillings include resin and amalgam. Even though amalgam is considered to be less expensive than resin, this material will provide you with a silver-colored filling. On the other hand, the resin material can be fashioned to appear just like the color of your tooth. A standard amalgam filling will cost around $30-$125, which is relatively inexpensive compared to most other dental treatments. As for resin fillings, these can cost you anywhere from $75-$200. When you're considering your options, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each material against the price point for both. If you don't want the filling to alter the color of your teeth, the only option available to you is resin.
Cost of Dental Cleanings
If you want to take proper care of your teeth and gums, it's recommended that you schedule a dental cleaning at least once every six months. No matter how well you brush and floss your teeth, it's impossible to get rid of all staining and plaque buildup. A professional dental cleaning is administered with the use of modern tools and equipment that can provide a deeper clean. For instance, if you drink coffee on a regular basis, stains will invariably develop on the surfaces of your teeth. A professional dental cleaning can get rid of these stains and return the color of your teeth to their natural white appearance. Dental cleanings are relatively inexpensive. They can also be free if you have dental insurance. Even the most basic dental insurance plan typically covers at least 80 percent of dental cleaning costs. The types of preventive services that you can obtain during a dental cleaning visit include the standard cleaning, a comprehensive dentist exam, and x-rays of your teeth. If you select a basic cleaning, this type of treatment can cost anywhere from $50-$150 in East Los Angeles. As for dental exams, you should expect to pay around $35-$140. X-rays will cost you somewhere between $15-$200.
Cost of Root Canal Procedure
If the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it's possible that the only way to correct this issue is for you to obtain a root canal. This treatment is designed first and foremost to get rid of bacteria that's located in the infected root canal of your tooth. The procedure can also save your tooth from needing to be extracted and prevent the tooth from becoming reinfected. Since a root canal is a relatively complex procedure to obtain in East Los Angeles, the costs associated with the treatment can be high. These costs depend on the exact location of the tooth. If one of your front teeth needs to undergo a root canal, you should expect to pay anywhere from $250-$1,250 to obtain this treatment. The cost of having this treatment done for a bicuspid is somewhat higher and can come in at $350-$1,600. As for molars, the cost to get a root canal on one of these teeth can be anywhere from $400-$1,800. It's possible that your insurance plan can cover some of these costs.
Cost of Tooth Extraction
While your permanent teeth aren't supposed to be removed from your mouth, there are plenty of reasons why this could be necessary. A tooth extraction is a relatively simple procedure that results in the removal of one or more of your teeth. There are several factors that can determine the cost of a tooth extraction in East Los Angeles, which include the current condition of your tooth, the kind of anesthesia that's used during the treatment, and if the removal if considered to be an emergency. The basic costs for a standard tooth extraction depend on whether the treatment is surgical or non-surgical. For a surgical tooth extraction, you can expect to pay around $125-$550. On the other hand, a non-surgical extraction can cost around $50-$250. If you need to have a wisdom tooth removed, you can expect the costs to be higher. A simple extraction will cost you anywhere from $75-$150. An impacted extraction will likely come in at $175-$575. With these costs in mind, you should know what to expect before obtaining a tooth extraction in East Los Angeles.
Cost of Standard Dental Crowns
If you currently suffer from a severe cavity or have a particularly weak tooth that needs some support, you might want to consider selecting a dental crown for the affected tooth. These crowns are able to effectively restore the size, shape, and function of your tooth, which is why they can cost a significant amount of money. The cost that you pay for your dental crowns depends mainly on the material that the crowns are made of. If you obtain crowns that are made from porcelain that's fused to metal, a single crown will cost anywhere from $350-$1,250. If the crown is made from a metal alloy or gold alloy, it can cost you around $500-$2,000. As for crowns that are made entirely from porcelain, you should expect to pay $600-$2,500 in East Los Angeles. Now that you know how much these common dental procedures cost in East Los Angeles, contact our dental practice immediately so that we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our reputable dentists.