Many people delay or avoid dental care due to financial concerns and nearly 80% of Americans report delaying dental visits due to financial reasons despite knowing that skipping necessary treatments can lead to even bigger, more expensive problems down the road. In Texas alone, only about half of residents make routine dental visits, and in some areas, up to 21% of people have already lost six or more teeth. Lack of dental insurance is a major factor, as many families rely on employer-sponsored plans that may not include dental coverage. For those without insurance or who don’t qualify for Medicaid, the cost of care can feel overwhelming, leading many to put off treatment until small issues turn into serious, costly problems.
Dental Depot of DFW is committed to making high-quality dental care accessible and affordable for all patients, regardless of their insurance status. With flexible payment options, membership plans, and expert staff to help navigate insurance and financing, Dental Depot ensures that cost doesn’t stand in the way of necessary treatment. From routine cleanings to advanced procedures, patients receive comprehensive care in state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology. Putting off dental visits can lead to serious health risks, but with Dental Depot of DFW’s affordable solutions–including accepting CareCredit and almost all major dental insurance plans–patients can get the care they need without the financial stress.
Prevention is always the best approach to oral health, and regular dental care, like cleanings and exams, can help you avoid more complex and costly treatments down the line. Beyond saving you money, regular dental visits have also been linked to a lower risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. By keeping your mouth healthy, you also protect your body from these risks.
Getting a professional cleaning and exam every six months is one of the best ways to maintain good oral health.Â
Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
Fluoride treatments can help strengthen your tooth enamel and make it more resistant to decay. Sealants are thin coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities from forming in hard-to-reach areas.
While skipping regular dental visits might seem like a way to save money in the short-term, it can actually cost you more in the long run. Without them, plaque and tartar build up, resulting in problems like cavities, gum disease, and decay. These issues might require fillings, root canals, or crowns, which can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Cavities are one of the most common dental issues. They develop when tooth enamel breaks down due to plaque buildup, sugar, and bacteria. If left untreated, cavities will worsen, causing pain, infection, and even tooth loss. Fillings can restore your tooth’s health and save you from more expensive procedures later on.
The average cost of a filling can vary depending on the size of the cavity and the type of material used for the filling.
Teeth cannot heal on their own, and cavities and decay will not go away on their own. If left untreated, they will continue to erode the tooth grow and affect the deeper layers of your tooth, eventually reaching the pulp and causing an infection. At this point, you may need a root canal, which can cost anywhere from $770 to $2,471.
When a tooth becomes severely damaged, whether from a large cavity, a crack, or wear over time, a crown is often the solution. Crowns are designed to cover and protect a damaged tooth. On the other hand, if a tooth is lost due to decay or injury, a dentist might use a bridge to fill the gap.
Most dental plans offer partial coverage for crowns and bridges, though there may be waiting periods or coverage limits, especially with new plans.
While crowns and bridges may seem expensive, delaying these restorative treatments can result in more serious problems like jaw misalignment or even jaw atrophy. Your remaining teeth can shift into the gap left by missing or damaged teeth, requiring jaw surgery to fix it
When teeth are lost due to injury, decay, or age, dentures provide a functional and aesthetically pleasing replacement solution. Missing teeth can have a negative impact on your self-confidence and make it difficult to chew food or speak properly. Dentures help by filling in the gaps left by missing teeth, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence.
The greatest cost differentiator with dentures is whether you have full or partial dentures.
Many dental plans offer partial restorative coverage for dentures, though you’ll need to check your policy for specifics.
Over time, the absence of teeth can also lead to bone loss in the jaw, which can change the shape of your face, and may require bone grafting in the jaw to improve bone structure and density, a procedure that could cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.
When dental issues progress, more intensive treatments like root canals or tooth extractions may be necessary. Addressing problems at this stage can save your natural teeth and prevent more serious complications in the future.
Root canals are needed when a deep infection has reached the pulp of the tooth. This might be the result of untreated cavities, cracks, or trauma to the tooth that was left untreated.
During a root canal, a dentist will remove the infected tissue from inside the tooth, clean the area, and seal it to prevent further infection. Afterward, the tooth is typically capped with a crown to restore its strength and function.
Infected teeth will not heal themselves and the infection will only worsen, further decaying the tooth and potentially spreading into oral tissues, the jaw, and even the bloodstream.
Sometimes, a tooth is too damaged or infected to be saved. In this case, a tooth extraction is the next step.
 The cost of a tooth extraction typically depends on the condition of the tooth needing extraction and the type of procedure needed to remove it– known as simple or surgical.
Ignoring infections can result in bone loss in the jaw, as the area where the tooth was anchored begins to deteriorate. This can eventually affect the stability of your remaining teeth, making them more susceptible to damage or loss.
You likely know many people who have had their wisdom teeth removed, as this common dental procedure typically happens during the late teens or early twenties. While some people’s wisdom teeth come in without issue, that’s not the case for everyone.Â
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars at the back of your mouth, which often don’t have enough space to emerge properly. Poor emergence can lead to impaction, where the tooth gets stuck under the gum or only partially erupts, or crowding, where the tooth pushes against other teeth and affects their alignment.
Don’t postpone or avoid wisdom teeth removal, as you may leave yourself susceptible to more complex surgeries down the line.
Orthodontic treatment helps improve oral health and function, all while boosting self-confidence and overall health. This is especially true when treatment is started at a young age. While orthodontic treatment can be an investment, it’s one that pays off, in terms of both health and appearance, in the long run.
Severe misalignment, including overbites, underbites, and missing teeth, can disrupt the balance of facial muscles, placing excessive strain on the jaw. This imbalance can contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty with jaw movement. The cost of therapy to treat problems like TMJ can range from $350 or so for mouthguards to up to $10,000 for surgical intervention, and not all patients respond to treatment.
Deep cleaning and scaling are two of the most common procedures to help treat and manage gum disease, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, and they play a vital role in preserving both your teeth and overall health.
Deep cleaning (also known as scaling) involves cleaning below the gumline to remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have accumulated in hard-to-reach areas.
Many dental plans provide partial coverage for periodontal treatments, but restrictions often apply.
Ignoring early treatment for gingivitis can allow it to progress into periodontitis, leading to chronic infection and serious oral health issues. As the gums recede, tooth roots become exposed and highly susceptible to decay, increasing the likelihood of cavities. If left unchecked, this decay can penetrate deep enough to require fillings, root canals, or even crowns for extensive damage. In advanced cases, periodontitis can cause jawbone deterioration, which weakens the support structure for teeth. This can result in loose teeth or tooth loss, ultimately requiring extractions and restorative treatments like dental implants or bridges to restore function and appearance.
Dental Depot of DFW is a doctor-owned dental support organization (DSO) that operates with the personalized touch of a family-run practice. With nearly 50 years of experience, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality dental care, exceptional customer service, and affordable pricing. Our multiple locations and flexible scheduling make it easy to fit dental visits into your routine, while our variety of payment options—including major insurance, CareCredit, customized financing plans, and our in-house dental membership plan—help make treatment accessible to all.
Everyone deserves top-notch dental care that fits both their budget and their lifestyle, and at Dental Depot of DFW, we make it our mission to ensure that cost and convenience will not stand in the way of a healthy smile. Whether you need preventive care, restorative treatments, or orthodontics, our experienced team is here to provide compassionate, high-quality care at a price that makes sense. Schedule your appointment today and experience the Dental Depot difference!
