Dental Costs (San Diego: insurance, living in, legal)

[Xadrian]

Hi all,
I've been living in SD about four months now and I've been looking for a new dentist. It took me forever to find a good dentist where I used to live, roughly about four years if you could believe it! I don't want it to take nearly that long here! I went into for some x-rays and a consult the other week and I was shocked to hear that three fillings were $1,300! I'm used to around $60-100 per filling (now this is for the silver and these other ones would probably be the white ones) Is it common for fillings (white ones) to be around $400 each? For that much I could save up money, fly back 2,000 miles and get a crown for $400 each. Am I getting ripped cause I have no insurance and paying out of pocket or is this the going rate here? Also I was told I may need crowns in the future which are supposedly $1,200 each here..

[esmith143]

1200 for a crown sounds about right. I just paid 600 for a crown after 50% copay a month ago. 400 for a filling? A bit on the high side I think, but far from outrageous.

You might be able to get $60 fillings and $400 crowns in Tijuana.

[Xadrian]

I think I'll look into the Tijuana dentistry. My entire treatment plan with implants, some crowns, fillings etc was around $40,000. Of course I am doing a little little..little bit at a time, but any money I can save would be great.

[hotornot]

Originally Posted by Xadrian

I think I'll look into the Tijuana dentistry. My entire treatment plan with implants, some crowns, fillings etc was around $40,000. Of course I am doing a little little..little bit at a time, but any money I can save would be great.

I've seen a few TJ dentist-related threads in the Mexico section. You can find them by using that forums search box. If you go to TJ for dental work, please be sure to make a post describing your experience. Thanks

[septocaine_queen]

Those fees seem high and I am in the industry. The fees that you are used too are very low for this area. If you don't have insurance usually a cash fee can be negotiated. In a down economy, people are more willing to make the fees work for you. Maybe the fees in San Diego proper are higher than north county where I am. My caveat regarding dentistry in TJ is that the quality that I have personally seen has been about 10% acceptable. Some stuff I have seen would be considered gross malpractice. The main problem I see is that most border dentists know that people are coming for a deal not quality and their responsibility and liability to you ends when you cross back over the border and you have no recourse if they cause permanent damage. I am sure that there are good dentists in TJ, and maybe you'll find one. I am not saying that there aren't hacks here, because there is anywhere, but at least you have legal recourse here and accountability if something is not right. If you are willing to travel up to north county, maybe you can get a better price or maybe more options in your treatment plan. Good luck.

[julian1000]

my wife and I just finished treatment in tijuana at a dentist's office just over the border. I had full panoramic x ray, examination and cleaning. my wife had full panoramic xray and examination, 3 complete crowns, 3 root canals, 5 cavities, cleaning, whitening and a specially designed mouth guard. the total bill for both of us was $1600, no kidding. the work was excellent; each procedure by a different specialist, ie, root canal by endodontist, etc. they are extremely caring and friendly and do not want to push services. for example, I need an implant; i have a missing molar since i was 16. the dr told me i could do it if i wanted, but it was not necessary at this point. i am 50. so he said, after so many years it's not a problem any more. so, they are honest. i would highly recommend Dr Arnulfo Vasquez at the Implant Center of the Americas. you will not regret it. you can walk over once you cross the border; it's about 2 blocks from the border. I could not have afforded all this work here in san diego. it would have been impossible for us. i will go back an do the implant. it's $3000 dollars here; there it's $1200-$1300

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

This is your first post? I have insurance and get most of that done twice a year for free.

[scratchNsniff]

There's also Algodones at the Yuma border crossing if you are afraid of TJ and they cater to the senior citizens and are also supposedly dirt cheap and of good quality.