Do you want to see a periodontist for diagnosis and treatment, but you are uncertain about the costs? Like in other medical niches, the cost of seeing a specialist varies from case to case, precisely due to differences in the condition’s progression, patient’s location, and whether medical insurance covers such specialized treatments. Cutting Edge Periodontist — the best periodontist in Burbank area — has an itemized, transparent pricing structure, avoiding hidden costs that are common in specialized treatments. You may be required to pay varying amounts of money depending on the services you need when you visit a periodontist.
- Consultation Fees
Before any treatment, you will need a 40-50 minute consultation with a periodontist, which lays a foundation for future treatments. In most cases, a professional will take your x-ray scan and perform a periodontal charting based on your condition. They then discuss the findings and treatment details — such as how long the treatment may take.
Since patients may require different levels of attention in the consultation stage, different clinics have different approaches to charges. The industry charges range from $200 to $300 depending on the clinic and the additional services. However, if you have an insurance policy, the consultation fee may be lower or free, depending on the policy.
- Costs of Etiologic Treatments
Etiological treatment is ideal if you have an infection that does not need surgery or an extensive dental procedure. The periodontist may opt for this simple procedure if you have bleeding or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, or painful chewing. The treatment cost depends on your oral condition and whether you have an active insurance policy at the time of treatment.
In addition to etiological treatment having varying treatment costs, you may need to see a periodontist more than once, especially in cases where you need a professional assessment after the treatment. Fortunately, most insurance policies cover recurrent treatment costs. However, if you do not have insurance, your periodontist will communicate all the details to help you plan your finances.
- Surgeries and the Estimated Costs
In some cases, basic treatments may not be effective, prompting specialists to recommend surgical alternatives. Based on the assessment results, your periodontist may recommend a treatment option during consultation. Unlike the other stages, the surgical phase is expensive, especially considering the treatment length and the attention you get from the periodontist. However, different clinics have different itemized charges depending on the condition’s severity and whether you have medical insurance or not.
If you have plaque or pockets of infection, the specialist may take from four to eight weeks to address the issue. Also, if you have bone defects and want levelling or regenerative surgical techniques as a medical procedure, you may be charged differently by the dental clinic. Other services that the specialist may charge you for include additional medical procedures and assessments between treatments.
Since your treatment process differs from other patients seeking the same treatment, you may have different charges. The surgery cost may range from $4,000 to $6,000, depending on the procedure’s complexity and whether you need additional medical services. In some cases, you may need more than one surgery, which means paying more. If you have an active medical insurance policy, the charges may be lower or wholly paid for by the insurance company.
- Costs for Checkups After Treatments
Like other major medical niches, checkups after treatment are key in achieving a high success rate. While most of the services, such as advising you on oral hygiene and how to brush teeth after treatment properly, are free, some after-treatment processes require more assessment and therefore cost money. For instance, you may have to pay for checkups to ascertain whether the dental implants are perfectly placed after some weeks.
In addition to spending time on your case during the monitoring stage, the periodontist is responsible for ensuring you do not go back to surgeries and other time-consuming treatments by identifying possible issues and recommending the best but simple treatments. Since your recovery may differ depending on your procedure, the costs for checkups may vary. Also, it is advisable to check the insurance policy on whether such costs are covered and, if yes, the maximum possible payment during the recovering stage. However, if you do not have a medical insurance policy, most hospitals inform you earlier of the expected costs.
The answer to the likely cost of seeing a periodontist depends on what medical service you want, and more importantly, where you are located. While the medical charges vary, there are industry standards in some cases, such as consultation fees. Even in cases with varying charges, the medical professionals communicate the likely charges during the consultation, eliminating surprises when you are in the middle of treatment.
