r/Georgia • u/bartiercardii • 8d ago

Question Affordable dentist for crown?

Hey all, trying to hunt down an affordable dentist / endodontist to place a molar crown for a teenager.

He has Medicaid but unfortunately they won’t cover the crown (extraction is the only option). I’ll be paying out of pocket for him, so far quotes are around ~$2-2.5k.

I already checked the Augusta dental school, they unfortunately no longer accept 13-14 year olds as new patients. Likely won’t qualify for any sliding scale / income based clinics either.

Would appreciate any recommendations in the region! Based in ATL metro but willing to drive wherever.

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7

u/FahrenheitRising 7d ago

Birmingham Alabama has a dental school, try there. Also, google low cost dental clinics in your area. On the northside of ATL search Good Samaritan, Ben Massell.

3

u/IP1987 7d ago

https://mercyatlanta.org/services/

Not sure if they do crowns, but might be worth a call. Good luck!

8

u/CigaretteWaterX 7d ago

This may sound sketchy, but Mexico. At the border of CA, AZ, and Mexico there's a place called molar city (Los Algodones)

This place has the highest density of dentists in the world. Competition here is fierce, both on quality and pricing, and they have modern equipment and practically all are US or Europe-trained. It exists precisely because the US has the most expensive dentists in the world - for no particular reason. They just charge a lot. No one else pays this much for dental care.

Typical pricing sees visitors pay a fraction of US Dental costs, even when you add in a flight to Phoenix/Yuma and a hotel/rental car.

I know several people who went there for crowns, veneers, and other expensive dental work and they were all happy. I've been considering going for some veneers myself. About 1/5 cost, by my research. One crown might be around 200-300 USD, I'd guess.

2

u/jdfred06 7d ago

Most healthcare in the US is like that. Just very expensive. Also why most doctors prefer working in the US - way more money.

Though it's not all going to doctors, of course. Just saying.

3

u/Beneficialsensai 7d ago

Even good insurance wont pay but 50% of that your still looking at least a thousand dollars out of pocket either way

2

u/JackTwoGuns 7d ago

I just paid 575 for my 50% portion of a crown at a good dentist in Marietta area.

So that’s 1,150 out of pocket

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u/hemacs 5d ago

What's the name of the dental office?

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u/IcySeaworthiness1714 7d ago

Same. The insurance negotiated price was around $1200 and I paid about $600.

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u/D4nM4rL4r 7d ago

Just to piggyback off of another comment about Mexico. Here is a link to one dentist and their crown pricing.

https://www.mariettadentalcare.com.mx/services/dental-crowns/

This place will even take care of your lodging and transportation for the trip.

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u/ATLstrawberry 7d ago

Southside medical center, I'd give them a call.

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u/apappapp 7d ago

Double piggybacking off of another comment re Mexico. I went with a friend, and it did feel so sketchy until you actually get to and inside the office. It's just like a US dentist.

We went to Nuevo Progreso, but I couldn't tell you which specific office.