Ask Me Help Desk - Crown lengthening

I just left my cosmetic dentist office with my chin hitting the floor for how much some restorative work was going to cost. We discussed crown lengthening since my teeth are a tad bit short to make them look better. Two days later I got a revised quote for the lengthening added on at the tune of $750 per tooth. I realize now that this is surgery but what should I expect to be charged for something like that and are there other choices for me.:confused: This is adding 3,000 dollars to a quote that I thought was already a bit expensive but I thought the doctor was very experienced and knew what he was doing.

After reading some of the comments here I feel like that he was at least up front with what he wanted to do and didn't try to leave anything out during our consultation. Except of course for the cost of the lengthening. He assistant left that info out since she was the one quoting me all the prices. It is a shame that there are just enough unscrupulous dentists out there that it is hard to tell the difference between the good and the bad. Does anyone know how to really tell and does anyone know a good cosmetic Dentist in Arlington VA area?

Any ideas? Or comments?

V

The best thing to do is ask your friends, co-workers, neighbours, etc. You can also check on RateMDs.com | Doctor ratings and reviews to see what kind of comments, if any, have been left about the dentist you saw or any that are recommended.

Keep in mind, you often get what you pay for and the cheapest is not always the best.

Thanks flossie, I agree that you get what you pay for. Sometimes you pay allot for a little too. I did use the link that you included and found that he was rated the top costemic dentist in Northern Virginia. I know that I will be glad that I spent the money once this long process is over especially after looking at some recent pictures that reminded me how much better my smile could look. The smile is just something that you can't cover up and I spent way too many years afraid to smile because of my teeth. Thanks! It's time to suck it up and just do it I guess.

I am sure that you will be very pleased with the results. Even being in the dental profession I sometimes question the fees that are quoted! I should have become a dentist!:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by vm1960

I just left my cosmetic dentist office with my chin hitting the floor for how much some restorative work was going to cost. We discussed crown lengthening since my teeth are a tad bit short to make them look better. Two days later I got a revised quote for the lengthening added on at the tune of $750 per tooth. I realize now that this is surgery but what should I expect to be charged for something like that and are there other choices for me.:confused: This is adding 3,000 dollars to a quote that I thought was already a bit expensive but I thought the doctor was very experienced and knew what he was doing.

After reading some of the comments here I feel like that he was at least up front with what he wanted to do and didn't try to leave anything out during our consultation. Except of course for the cost of the lengthening. He assistant left that info out since she was the one quoting me all the prices. It is a shame that there are just enough unscrupulous dentists out there that it is hard to tell the difference between the good and the bad. Does anyone know how to really tell and does anyone know a good cosmetic Dentist in Arlington VA area?

Any ideas? or comments?

V

Flossie,

I was just reading about gum contouring. Crown lengthening is for when they have to make more of the tooth or bone available for a crown. The reason they were going to do mine was because my teeth are too short for my liking. Gum contouring seems to be a lot less invasive than crown lengthening and should be less expensive since they are not do any work on the bone. Of course we haven't done the exrays yet so it may be a different story once we see those but so youi know if there is a huge difference between the two?

Thanks for your help!

Vickie

Vickie,

I don't know how your dentist could give you an estimate without doing all the preliminary records first. He should have taken x-rays, taken study models and provide you with a wax up to show you what you will look like once treatment is complete.