How Can I Fix My Teeth With No Money in Illinois? + 5 Ways to Save Money

Dental problems are almost like a tsunami. It is possible to predict them, but only in a few hours. When a wave of toothache hits you, the main thing to remember is that there are no unsolvable problems.

Many people in Illinois delay or even postpone a visit to the dentist not only because of fear but also for a more common reason – because they have no money for unexpected dental treatment. But there is always a way out.

If you understand that you are facing treatment – planned or urgent – and you have no money at the moment, then you usually have three options to choose from.

Simple Ways to Pay For Your Dental Treatment

1. Free walk-in clinic

Acute toothache that overtook you at night or during the day must be removed for free. Many free walk-in cities in Illinois have one or more dental emergency rooms. They often work around the clock – you only need a medical insurance and some kind of identity verification. You can also call the nearest state dental hospital and find out if they have a doctor on duty there.

Pros:

• free of charge.

Cons:

• not always new equipment;
• possible rough treatment by doctors and medical staff;
• queues;
• pre-registration is often required;
• difficulties with visiting the clinic in the evening (not all of them work 24/7);
• you must have a compulsory medical insurance policy;
• certain types of fillings and anesthetic may be chargeable.

2. Bank loan

Prosthetics, bypass surgery, tooth extraction and other complex operations may be very expensive. These are the cases when most of the patients prefer to trust doctors who work on a commercial basis. In this case, it is better to spend time studying the reviews and choosing a specific specialist. If you cannot pay for the procedure, you can apply for a bank loan and pay by installments. There are a lot of banks in Illinois. After signing an agreement with the bank, the necessary funds will be transferred to your bank account, and you can start treatment.

Pros:

• very low, fixed interest rates;
• predictable monthly payments;
• helps build business credit;
• high loan amounts available;
• you can pay in installments – from one month to two years;
• respect for the patient and modern equipment.

Cons:

• lengthy paperwork;
• longer wait time;
• usually requires specific collateral;
• you need to find a suitable offer, which will take time;
• applications for small loans are often rejected;
• your need to have a good credit history;
• you must meet the tough criteria of the bank.

3. Online payday loan

You can choose absolutely any clinic, even a private one, and pay for its services using online payday loans Illinois. This is the easiest option if you know the exact amount that will be required for dental treatment. A payday loan allows you to get treatment as urgently as possible.

Any US resident over the age of 18 can get accepted for a loan. Payday lenders approve almost every applicant, even people who cannot officially confirm their source of income: retirees, students, unemployed or freelancers.

Pros:

• easy online application;
• you can choose any dental clinic;
• such loans are easy to access;
• no collateral needed;
• they have fewer requirements than other loans;
• no credit check needed;
• money for whatever purpose;
• access 24/7;
• quick cash solution.

Cons:

• loan terms are short (1-4 weeks);
• loans can be expensive.

5 Tips on How to Save Money on Dental Treatment

Savings must be reasonable and safe.  A few simple life hacks will save you a decent amount.

1. Choice of materials

The patient always has a choice of which filling to place. For example, a usual cement filling or a light filling. The first option is cheaper. The same applies to prosthetics. A plastic crown costs much cheper than a ceramic crown.

Ask your doctor about all available methods and materials, choose the most affordable option for yourself. Please note that cheap materials will not last as long, usually up to 5 years. Higher quality materials will last 2-3 times longer, the choice is yours.

2. Treatment methods

Very often, paid clinics impose innovative services, for example, the use of a laser for tooth extraction. Of course, this option has advantages – it is less traumatic, but not everyone can afford this service. It is also quite possible to remove a tooth inexpensively. This can be done in a classical way using conventional forceps and a quality anesthetic in any dentistry.

Feels like both options lead to the same result – there is no tooth, no pain (this is the merit of a high-quality anesthetic). But the first option costs about 40% more. Thus, you will pay about $100 for standard removal, and at least $300 for laser removal.

Even a trivial caries treatment can vary in price at the same clinic. For example, inexpensive treatment of caries with a drill costs about $100, innovative techniques without using a drill will cost $300. It is much cheaper to eliminate carious cavities with a drill, you can not worry about pain – in any case, doctors uses the same anesthetic.

3. Promotions and discounts

For cheap dental treatment, compare prices on websites or call all available dentists. Often, clinics hold promotions and make good discounts, so you can save up to 30% of the cost. Before making an appointment, be sure to check the conditions of the promotion.

4. Neighboring cities

It is more profitable for residents of large cities to contact neighboring, less populated cities. So you can make dental prosthetics inexpensive. For example, the installation of one ceramic crown in Chicago IL will cost between $800 and $3,000, and in Plainfield IL – between $500 and $1,500. The distance between these cities is 38.7 miles.

5. Prevention is the best way to save money

In order not to spend a lot of money on dental treatment, you need to properly monitor oral hygiene and contact a dentist on time. It is much more profitable to get a small filling on time for $100, than in the future to give about $1,000-$2,000 to return a beautiful smile.