Cost of Root Planing with Laser

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PD - 08 Jan 2006 11:11 GMT

Insurance will pay $400 ($100 per quadrant).
I will have to pay $800.
Some kind of additional Laser process, not covered by insurance, will
be used (that helps the healing process?), and that is supposedly why
this Root Planing procedure costs more than the norm.

Is $1200 a little high for this kind of dental work (in CA)?

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Bill - 09 Jan 2006 19:42 GMT

> Insurance will pay $400 ($100 per quadrant).
> I will have to pay $800.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Is $1200 a little high for this kind of dental work (in CA)?

______________________

Yes.

However, it is common for some dentists to charge that much, simply
because some other dentists down the street charge that much, and
patients seem willing to pay it.

There are many fine dentists in California who can perform 4 quadrants
of root planing for only $700, or even $600. So by my book, when
services are readily available for less, it's reasonable to call $1200
a "high" fee. But remember that each dentist has different costs, so
that higher fee may be justified to pay for higher overhead costs to
the dentist. (Some dentists have to pay off a huge loan for the "dental
laser" stuff.)

Best regards,
- dentaldoc

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PD - 12 Jan 2006 02:08 GMT

Would it be bad etiquette to request the dentist to lower his fee for
the service?
And does this Laser process provide a significant benefit to the
patient?

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Bill - 12 Jan 2006 19:54 GMT

Would it be bad etiquette to request the dentist to lower his fee for
the service?
______________________________________

dentaldoc answers:

In my experience, most dentists would act offended if you asked to
lower the fee, but there are some who negotiate their fees.

(Imagine going through the supermarket checkout with a final total of
$52.75 in groceries, then bargaining with the cashier for a lower
price.)

Most dentists I've met don't haggle with fees, but there are
exceptions. Good luck.
_____________________________
_____________________________

And does this Laser process provide a significant benefit to the
patient?
____________________________________

dentaldoc answers:

I'm sure that dental laser manufacturers, and their paid consultants,
agree that the laser process provides a significant benefit. :-)

Personally I tend to be a bit more skeptical.

Best regards,
- dentaldoc

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