Every now and then at our dental practice here in East Cobb, my appointment coordinator at the front desk receives a call from a prospective patient asking, “How much do your crowns cost?” This is a tough question to answer. Are we talking about strictly the out-of-pocket expense for the crown itself, or do we look at the long-term cost of a great restoration versus a mediocre one? If I were in need of a kidney transplant or a surgeon to repair my knee, I can not imagine shopping for a doctor based on price only. I want to be sure that the job is going to be done as skillfully as possible, so I base my decision on the doctor’s past performance and experience. And, of course, I want a doctor who has my best interest at heart… one whom I can trust to make good decisions on my behalf concerning recommendations for treatment and who uses the best materials and techniques. But for some reason, some people view dental procedures as a commodity. Perhaps they are not aware of the importance of a healthy, properly functioning oral system or that crowns, implants, examinations, and many other dental procedures and services may greatly vary in quality or longevity from one dental practice to another. For example, a crown done in one office may last 8-10 years while one done in another office would last twice as long. Also, not having a proper, thorough examination can lead to future issues that could have been prevented. At Cheek Dental our dentistry truly IS a bargain when you consider the kind of service and quality of restorations that you receive.
Our team is dedicated to serving our community and views each patient as if he or she were a member of our own family. Having a relationship of trust is paramount in working with you so that we can together develop a plan for your long-term oral health. When we perform an examination, we are comprehensive and look not only at which teeth need treatment, but WHY do they need treatment. Is there an underlying issue with tooth grinding or with the way they fit together? Are there dietary issues or habits that may be causing premature breakdown of the teeth or restorations? Are there health-related issues like sleep apnea, diabetes, or acid reflux that could be contributing to poor oral health? Knowing how the entire oral system is functioning is critical before making recommendations for dental work.
Dr. Cristi Cheek is the owner of Cheek Dental here in East Cobb. You may contact her at 770-993-3775 or visit www.cheekdental.com.
The crowns and other ceramic restorations made in our office are meticulously designed and fabricated in one appointment using our Cerec CAD/CAM system. The fit is superior, the esthetics are absolutely beautiful, and these restorations are extremely durable. There is also less sensitivity with these crowns since the fit is so precise and because they are bonded on the tooth the same day the tooth is prepared. And patients love that they receive in just one appointment crowns that are virtually imperceptible to the naked eye… with no messy impressions and no temporary crowns!
When shopping at Wal-Mart versus Macy’s you can expect to find different quality clothing. You can also purchase tools that are cheap and break easily or tools are high-quality and long-lasting. Similarly, you can receive precision dental work that is natural-looking, functional, and long-lasting or dental treatment that may use lesser materials, not be comprehensive, and not even be the right treatment for you. Unfortunately, if price alone is all that is considered, quality of treatment may be unknown, so be sure that you are comparing value and not just price.
This article was written by Dr. Christi Cheek and originally appeared in the June/July issue of the EAST COBBER magazine, on page 11. Click here to view the digital edition.
