It would be nice if full dental care was included in Medicare, but this is sadly not the case. Only a limited allowance is made available for basic dental maintenance, and even then, only until the age of 17. Even in countries where basic dental maintenance is paid for by the state, elective cosmetic dental procedures are excluded. Of course, there are some cosmetic dental procedures that are purely for aesthetic purposes, such as teeth whitening. There are also some procedures that are classified as cosmetic and yet are often necessary for the overall health of your teeth, such as a crown on a damaged tooth, or replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant (thus reducing stress on your remaining tooth). The cost of cosmetic dentistry has meant that many people choose to not undergo the procedure, even if it will be beneficial for their overall dental health. Luckily, there are some ways in which you can save a significant amount of money when comes to certain types of cosmetic dentistry. Have you considered these options?

Dental Tourism

More and more Australians are travelling overseas where cosmetic dentistry is significantly less expensive, even when factoring in the cost of flights and accommodation. If the price seems too good to be true, it might be that the standard of treatment is not up to scratch, so exercise caution. You can overcome this by organising your treatment with an Australian company that specialises in dental tourism, as their overseas providers have been verified to ensure they meet Australian standards. Even so, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist upon your return to check the quality of the work and to make any adjustments if necessary.

Dental Training Clinics

Most universities that offer degrees in dentistry will have a dental training clinic, offering treatment that is inexpensive or even free. These clinics are staffed by senior students who work under the supervision of experienced dentists. Appointments are only available during the university semester, and there is often a waiting list. Not all patients are accepted, and you can generally only get a place if your particular dental issue is covered by the university's course curriculum. It's similar to receiving an implant or crown under medical insurance, in that the service will only be provided if deemed necessary for your overall dental health. Purely aesthetic cosmetic improvements are not available. The cost of the dental work is often free, although you will need to pay for X-rays and the construction of any necessary prosthetics. You can receive a discount on these additional costs (and sometimes have them waived altogether) if you have a Health Care Card or another eligible concession.

So while some types of cosmetic dentistry will need to be privately arranged, it's interesting to learn that some necessary so-called cosmetic dental procedure can be obtained in ways that won't break the bank. Talk with a dentist at a clinic like Cosmetic & Laser Dental Clinic for more information on cosmetic procedures that affect overall health.

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