| The phrase "comprehensive care" may seem to imply more frequent and more expensive dentistry, but the opposite is actually true.
Allow me to share a story with you about something that I see all the time in my office.
A young woman came into my office about a year ago for a routine exam and cleaning. I recommended the replacement of an old, corrosive mercury filling. We informed her in advance that the fee would be approximately $180.00.
She was not having any symptoms associated with the tooth at the time. Because of her busy schedule at work and at home and her lack of symptoms, she decided not to return until one year later when she was in pain.
At this point the cavity had extended to the nerve and now required a root canal, post & core and crown. The total fee for restoring this same tooth was now over $2000.00. It required numerous appointments and worse than that, she had to experience the toothache.
My point is this - I actually do more dentistry (and make more money) when patients ignore my recommendations.
But I wouldn't enjoy that type of practice.
Emergency treatment is not only expensive it is unpleasant. It is very upsetting to see a patient going through extensive pain and treatment that could have been easily avoided.
Another reason that biological care can be less expensive is that restorations made with modern, biocompatible materials last longer and do not cause allergic or toxic reactions in the body, which then have to be treated.
We even offer a lifetime guarantee on special restorative materials. These newer materials actually strengthen the teeth, unlike silver (mercury amalgam) fillings that corrode and act like a wedge causing the tooth to split. On a regular basis, I am restoring teeth that have broken in half because of silver fillings.
Fluoride treatments for children are another lucrative part of the trade for traditional dental practitioners, which can add about $100,000 a year in additional income. This is treatment that I avoid.
Even though the effectiveness of ingested fluoride has never been proven, fluoride is added to public water supplies every day.
And there are proven side effects from consuming fluoride, including dental flourish, skeletal fluorosis, hip fractures and possibly even bone cancer.
The recommended "safe" daily intake of fluoride for young children is a small fraction of the amount most children consume each day just in their beverages. Look on the back of a tube a fluoridated toothpaste and read the poison warning sometime.
Now you may be asking,"since you don't recommend fluoride, doesn't this create more cavities?"
Actually, current research shows that spending for dental procedures goes up in areas that are fluoridated. This may be due to an increase in the rates of dental fluorosis (discolored teeth with brittle enamel) and the added expense of fluoride applications.
By not offering fluoride treatment at the Institute, I lose several hundred dollars a day, or nearly $100,000 a year in fees, because I won't risk your health or the health of your children.
Investigate the issue for yourself and we think you will come to the same conclusion.
If you commit to our treatment program you will minimize your lifetime visits to the dentist.
By addressing the root cause of your health issues, our treatments are more effective, the body heals more completely and future illnesses and expense are prevented.
Our goal is to get you to the level where you can maintain your own oral health and only come to us for confirmation that everything is going according to plan. |
