Earning with Endodontics: Increase Profit by Assessing Risk

As dedicated endodontic billing specialists, we at SB Dental Solutions Dental Billing Company are devoted to improving the success of our endodontist clients. In endodontic practices, wasted chair time means a lot of lost income. That’s why it’s so important to do some cost-benefit analysis before planning endodontic procedures. Endodontists can use chair time more efficiently if they avoid starting a procedure that won’t ultimately work. Moreover, risk assessment helps endodontists avoid putting patients through potentially painful, costly, and time-intensive treatments, only to end up extracting the tooth. 
Planning and completing effective endodontic work turns a profit and protects patient wellbeing, whereas retreating or referring a patient after failed endodontic intervention just wastes everyone’s time. Even lucrative cases sometimes end up losing profit due to inefficiently budgeted chair time. 
Before planning time-intensive endodontic procedures, determine if the patient would be better off with a simpler intervention. To start out, endodontists should consider the following variables to evaluate the risks vs rewards of a given endodontic procedure:

• The Condition of the Specific Tooth -

Maybe the tooth is super calcified, the decay is too close to the nerve, or there’s a crown on the tooth. Any of these, or other conditions, could change a general dentist’s ability to successfully perform endodontic treatment and may even necessitate an alternate treatment method from Endodontic Specialists. 

• The Behavior of the Patient -

A patient who cannot sit still, who won’t open their mouth for the needed period of time, or who has a lot of anxiety may require sedation or a quicker, less invasive treatment to prevent the need for multiple, unsuccessful visits. Attempting more elaborate, higher paid procedures, may actually cost more in the long run, if a patient’s behavior makes treatment impossible to complete.

• Radiograph Quality -  

A basic review of radiographs can prevent a lot of wasted chair time. Endodontists frequently work from x-rays taken by referring dentists, but unfortunately, digital radiographs can lose quality during the transfer process. In those cases, consider retaking unclear radiographs to ensure effective treatment planning. 

When endodontists optimize their chair time, the profitability of their practice skyrockets. Additionally, SB Dental Solutions can help our clients discover other potential revenue improvements through our business consultation services. Click here to learn more about increasing profitability with Better Endodontic Dental Billing.