Are there ways to compare the price of dental procedures without going to every dentist in town?

Fees: Sometimes a simple call to various offices will be helpful. Word of mouth is always helpful in finding a dentist you can be happy with.

Not really.: Most dentists in the same geographic area have very similar fees. We monitor average fees in the area through our dental suppliers. If you find someone who is less expensive than most be very careful. You may not get the same quality of care and you may be treated by a relativity inexperienced associate dentist . Find a dentist you trust and don't be driven by saving a few dollars.

Compare price: No, generally you should look at the value of a procedure. Price of procedures will vary from providers, you need to look at the cost. A cheap crown that only lasts for 3 years then needs redone is much more costly, than a more expensive crown that last for 20 years.

No: Unfortunately no. The best thing to do is to call different offices and ask for the price. But not all crowns are the same. There are different prices for different types of crowns. It is tough to get an estimate on the phone. It is like calling around for an estimate to lay new floors. Very difficult to give an estimate to fix something that was never seen. Go to a reputable dentist.

Be carefull: If you are buying a shirt, by all means get the best price! but when it comes to dental care, bargain hunting is dangerous! you pay a professional for experience, education, ability, reputation, and detail of care. A fair fee is better than a bargain fee.

Your priorities?: All my colleagues gave you great answers & i agree with all of them. Hopefully you already got the point. I just wanted to add a few thoughts. No one likes to be taken advantage of, everyone likes bargains, & no one wants to throw away money.Save in other ways, but not when it comes to your own health (dental or medical)! while not 100% true, there is a reason why some professionals charge more.

Phone calls: You can often get a front office person to tell you what a certain type of procedure is priced at if you call and insist that they tell you what they charge for a specific type of treatment before you schedule the appointment for an evaluation.

Fees: If you have dental insurance you may be able to get information from them about the usual and customary fee range for certain procedures. You may even try calling the local dental society for information as quoting fees over the phone is not a good practice sight unseen and can be misleading.

Professional Fees: You will find that fees vary somewhat from office to office, but to shop around for the least expensive office for each and every procedure is not realistic. Find a well respected practitioner who can accommodate your needs and you will see that they will be worth every penny you spend.