The consensus of previous threads on TWW for an affordable dentist was Donn Freeman, which turned out to be true! $140 to replace a fallen-out large filling with free x-rays thrown in! Thanks TWW!

However, time has passed and Donn Freeman just retired. I called the rest of TWW recommendations and several from Google and they all want at least $120 just to decide what to do and then at least $170 to do the filling, if I am lucky.

Has a generational change occurred and affordable dentistry can no longer be had without insurance?

1/24/2011 12:47:57 PM

We are a victim of our own freedom to sue anybody and everybody for anything... and win.

1/24/2011 12:59:05 PM

You don't want dentists to earn a fair wage? What are you, an anti-dentite?

1/24/2011 1:00:37 PM

detist you say?

1/24/2011 1:06:18 PM

freeman was pretty awesome...shame he retired

1/24/2011 1:13:52 PM

Deist?

Yea, this is like affordable veterinary care. Where I lived in Halifax County, the old Dr. Brown, who was in his 80s and had been practicing in his small office for many years. He was at least half the price of the full veterinary clinics, even on just pet meds and supplies. When I worked at a vet clinic I used a flea killer that worked instantly, but had to be purchased from a clinic; PetSmart and others could not stock it. A bottle from most vet clinics ran 37.99-49.99, whereas the same bottle from him was $20.00.

The other clinics were so happy when he finally died and they didn't have to compete with him anymore.

1/24/2011 1:15:14 PM

I too would be interested in knowing a reasonably priced dentist in the area.

1/24/2011 1:25:06 PM

My situation has turned for the worst. The only affordable dentist I know, in Fayetteville, believes I need two root canals, a procedure he does not do. I don't have dental insurance. Everyone I have called quotes $1100+

No one seems to accept the available discount cards at face value, offering at best 20% off. Can anyone help me in my dental distress?

3/2/2011 12:29:13 PM

Ugh one of these days I need to goto the dentist I have a wisdom tooth that has had part of it broken off that I just need to have pulled likely.

3/2/2011 12:35:13 PM

Anti-detite

3/2/2011 12:35:57 PM

^^^ Have you tried the dental school yet?

3/2/2011 1:03:29 PM

I, too, need a new dentist now that Dr. Freeman has retired.

I started going to him after I canceled my dental insurance. My previous dentist charged about $40 more for a normal cleaning/inspection than he did and they refused to allow me to forego the x-rays which was going to add a hefty price to my visits. Dr. Freeman didn't hassle me about coming once per year and always let me decide if I wanted to pay for x-rays. I really appreciated that place.

[Edited on March 2, 2011 at 2:01 PM. Reason : l]

3/2/2011 2:01:16 PM

Can anyone fix my busted title? I think it is hurting readership of the thread.

3/3/2011 2:03:18 PM

Dr. Riccobene in Cary (Kildaire Farm/Tryon) has $59 new patient special for exam, x-rays and cleaning. He's really fair about working with you if you have a lot of treatment needs too.

brushandfloss.com

3/3/2011 6:24:55 PM

I need a dentist that has appointment times on weekends or after 5pm. Suggestions?

3/29/2011 10:49:27 AM

3/30/2011 11:30:56 AM

you won't find a dentist to perform a root canal. you need an oral surgeon which is texa$. i have no clue what i would have done with out insurance. even with it was expensive. have you tried Care Credit?

http://www.carecredit.com/

3/30/2011 11:58:34 AM

I found a discount card program that was accepted by Dr. Riccobene in Cary (Kildaire Farm/Tryon) which lowered the price of a root canal to $760 called Aetna Dental Access. The card cost $22 and Riccobene cut his price by $400. I still have no idea why or how this program works. However, I didn't use it, as I was able to talk him into believing I didn't need a root canal anymore, so here I sit waiting to find out if I in fact did. But even thus the card lowered the price of my 4+ surface filling from $280 to $220.

So, as far as dentists go, Riccobene is affordable if you walk in with the Aetna Discount card, but the card costs $7 a month. I think I'm going to stick with my Fayetteville dentist, he is even cheaper and doesn't require a card.

[Edited on March 30, 2011 at 12:12 PM. Reason : .,.]

3/30/2011 12:10:28 PM

I'm so glad I have dental insurance, if you can get it on the cheap I highly recommend it!

3/30/2011 1:42:51 PM

no, you don't need an oral surgeon. you need an endodontist. totally different

3/30/2011 3:32:37 PM

for a root canal? i had a root canal about a year ago and it was performed by an oral surgeon recommended by my regular dentist.

but after a quick google search you are correct. i am now officially confused. i guess i was just mistaken.

[Edited on March 30, 2011 at 4:37 PM. Reason : .]

3/30/2011 4:34:10 PM