Originally published: June 2026 | Reviewed by Dr. Michael Berglass
Is It Rude to Get a Second Opinion on Your Dentist’s Treatment Plan?
No. Seeking a second opinion on a dental treatment plan is a protected patient right under the ADA’s Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (Section 2.B), not an act of disloyalty.
Dentists who discourage patients from comparing treatment plans and pricing are prioritizing revenue over informed consent.
A single-tooth implant in Palm Beach County ranges from $3,500 to $4,500 — Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry charges $2,999 for the same procedure, which means patients who felt too guilty to shop around overpaid by up to $1,501 per tooth.
The guilt holding you back from a second opinion could cost you $1,501 or more per tooth — Dr. Michael Berglass, D.D.S., a fellowship-trained implant dentist with 25 years of experience, reviews competing quotes at no cost at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry. Call 561-736-1700.
Patients feel guilty because the dentist-patient relationship is structured to feel personal rather than transactional. A dentist examines your mouth, knows your health history, and calls you by name — and that familiarity creates a sense of obligation that does not exist in other high-cost purchases.
No homeowner feels guilty getting three contractor bids. No car buyer apologizes for visiting a second dealership.
The dental industry benefits from this asymmetry. A patient who stays loyal to one provider without comparing implant pricing never discovers that the same titanium post, abutment, and ceramic crown costs $2,999 at one Boynton Beach office and $4,500 at another. The guilt is not clinical — the guilt is profitable.
Dr. Berglass created the free second-opinion consultation at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry specifically to remove that barrier. Patients bring their existing quote, receive a written line-by-line comparison, and decide without pressure.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
The American Dental Association’s Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (Section 2.B) states that patients have the right to seek consultation with other dental professionals at any point during treatment planning.
The ADA does not frame second opinions as optional courtesies — the Code frames them as a patient right that no individual dentist can ethically discourage.
Section 4. A of the same Code addresses a dentist’s obligation to prioritize the patient’s welfare over financial self-interest. A dentist who pressures a patient to commit before leaving the office, refuses to provide a written treatment plan for outside review, or expresses displeasure when a patient mentions comparing quotes is violating the spirit of the Code — regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed.
The Florida Department of Health licenses every practicing dentist under the same clinical standards, and no Florida regulation prohibits patients from obtaining as many independent evaluations as they choose before authorizing treatment.
Five specific behaviors indicate a dental practice is discouraging comparison shopping rather than supporting informed decision-making. Patients who encounter these behaviors should treat them as confirmation that a second opinion is especially necessary.
| Red Flag Behavior | What the Dentist Says | What the Behavior Signals |
| Refusing to provide a written quote | “We’ll discuss the exact cost later.” | Price will increase after commitment |
| Urgency pressure | “This needs to happen now, or it gets worse.” | Reducing time to compare quotes |
| Guilt framing | “I thought we had a good relationship.” | Emotional leverage replacing clinical rationale |
| X-ray withholding | “Our images stay in our system.” | HIPAA grants you ownership of your imaging — federal law requires release |
| Discouraging outside consults | “Other dentists will just try to sell you something different.” | Projecting their own sales approach onto competitors |
Dr. Berglass at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry provides an itemized written quote at the first appointment, transfers imaging files upon request, and encourages patients to compare his pricing with any competing offer.
Patients who accept the first implant quote without comparing leave up to $1,501 per tooth and up to $44,002 on full-mouth restorations on the table. The gap between the highest and lowest implant pricing in Palm Beach County for identical procedures remains among the widest of any dental market in Florida.
The table below compares verified pricing at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry against the Palm Beach County market range as of April 2026.
| Procedure | Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry Price | Market Range | Maximum Savings |
| Single tooth implant (post + abutment + crown) | $2,999 | $3,500–$4,500 | $1,501 |
| All-on-4 (per arch) | $2,999/arch | $12,000–$25,000/arch | $22,001/arch |
| Full-mouth restoration (both arches) | $5,998 | $20,000–$50,000 | $44,002 |
A patient who received a $25,000 All-on-4 quote from another Boynton Beach practice and never sought a second evaluation paid $22,001 more than a patient who walked into the practice with the same clinical need.
The in-office savings plan — starting at $375/year with 20% off all dental work — reduces the gap further for patients without insurance.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
No dental provider receives notification when a patient visits another practice for a consultation. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, 1996) prohibits any practice from disclosing patient visit information to another provider without the patient’s explicit written authorization.
Patients can schedule a second opinion at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, receive a written competing quote, and return to their original dentist with a better number — or proceed with Dr. Berglass — without their first provider ever knowing the visit occurred. The consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.
Patients who have already received CBCT scans at their first dentist can request digital transfer of those images to avoid duplicate imaging costs. Federal law requires the release practice to comply within 30 days of a written patient request.
Three steps separate a patient holding a quote from a patient holding two quotes.
First, request your written treatment plan and itemized pricing from your current dentist — verbal estimates do not provide enough detail for meaningful comparison.
Second, request digital transfer of your X-rays and CBCT scans under your HIPAA right of access.
Third, bring both documents to a free second opinion consultation at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry, where Dr. Berglass reviews the plan line by line and provides a written alternative quote before you leave.
The entire process takes 30 to 45 minutes. Patients evaluating their eligibility for implant treatment can review the candidacy requirements before the appointment.
Patients weighing implants against dentures benefit from hearing two professional perspectives and two price points rather than committing to one.
Patients comparing cosmetic dentistry options gain the same advantage from a competing written evaluation.
Your loyalty to one dentist shouldn’t cost you $22,001 per arch — Dr. Berglass at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry puts a better number in writing for free. Book here or call 561-736-1700.
Can I bring my dental treatment plan to another dentist for a price check?
Any patient can bring a written treatment plan to a competing provider for a line-by-line price comparison. Dr. Berglass at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry reviews competing implant quotes at no charge and provides a written alternative with itemized pricing at the same appointment.
Do dentists get offended when patients ask for a second opinion?
Ethical dentists welcome second opinions because the ADA’s Code of Professional Conduct (Section 2.B) explicitly protects a patient’s right to consult other providers. Dentists who react negatively to comparison shopping are signaling that their pricing may not withstand independent scrutiny.
How do I tell my dentist I want a second opinion without it being awkward?
Patients are not required to disclose a second opinion to their current provider. HIPAA protections prevent the second opinion practice from contacting the original dentist. Patients can simply request their written treatment plan and imaging files without providing a reason.
Why did my dentist quote me $25,000 for All-on-4 when other offices charge $2,999?
All-on-4 pricing in Palm Beach County ranges from $2,999 per arch at Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry to $25,000 per arch at competing practices. The difference reflects overhead, lab sourcing, and profit margin — not implant quality or clinical complexity.
Can my dentist legally refuse to release my X-rays for a second opinion?
Federal HIPAA regulations (1996) require dental practices to release patient imaging files upon written request within 30 days. The X-rays and CBCT scans belong to the patient. Practices may charge a reasonable copying fee but cannot withhold images to prevent comparison.
Is it worth getting a second opinion for one dental implant?
A single-tooth implant ranges from $3,500 to $4,500 in Palm Beach County, while Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry charges $2,999 for the same three-component procedure. A 30-minute second-opinion consultation can save up to $1,501 on a single tooth.
What happens if two dentists give me completely different treatment plans?
Conflicting treatment plans indicate that at least one provider is recommending unnecessary work. Patients should compare the specific procedures each dentist recommends, request written justification for any procedure unique to one plan, and prioritize the provider offering fewer interventions.
Should I get a second opinion before dental implant surgery?
Any implant quote above $3,500 per tooth or $12,000 per arch warrants a competing evaluation. Dr. Berglass reviews implant treatment plans at no cost and provides a written alternative quote. Patients who compare before committing save up to $1,501 per implant.
How many second opinions should I get from dentists before deciding?
Two independent evaluations provide sufficient comparison — one from the original provider and one from a practice willing to put competing pricing in writing. Additional opinions carry diminishing returns unless the first two plans differ significantly in clinical approach or recommended procedures.
Do dental second opinions cost money at most offices?
Many dental practices charge $100 to $300 for a consultation that functions as a second opinion. Boynton Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry offers second opinion consultations at no charge, including a clinical examination and a written alternative quote with itemized pricing.
About Dr. Berglass
Dr. Michael Berglass, a dedicated dentist with over 25 years of experience, specializes in dental implants, cosmetic, and general dentistry in Boynton Beach, Florida. A proud alumnus of Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine (DDS, 1996), Dr. Berglass further honed his expertise with residencies in general practice and dental implants at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital. His journey in dentistry has taken him from New York to North Carolina, and now to Florida, where he continues to offer top-notch dental care. Known for his wit and intellect, Dr. Berglass makes every patient's visit comfortable. A member of the American Dental Association and Florida Dentists' Association, he stays at the forefront of dental advancements. Dr. Berglass is committed to providing exceptional care and looks forward to welcoming you to his practice.
Reason To Smile
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Address
2415 Quantum Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL 3342
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Mon - Thurs: 8:30AM-5PM
Fri: 8:30AM-1PM
Sat - Sun: Closed
