Your First Visit
We do full mouth exam, x rays and 3D intraoral scan. We help you understand your oral health needs and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Depending on your periodontal health, you will also receive same day cleaning and polishing of teeth. Routine prophylaxis are subjected to insurance plans & benefits.
Understanding Dental Insurance
The concept of dental insurance is fairly simple, but things inevitably become complicated when you try to use it…at least that’s the case at other dental offices! Here, we’re eager to help you save with your plan, so we’re ready to file your claims for you and answer any questions you might have. Be sure to read our short guide on using your dental insurance with us below, and if you want to know more about your specific plan, be sure to give us a call.
Understanding How Dental Insurance Works
With dental insurance, different procedures are placed in categories, and these categories receive their own level of coverage. Typically, these are preventive, basic restorative, and advanced restorative. Many plans also include a deductible, which is an amount of money you need to pay out of pocket before you gain access to your benefits. Another number to keep in mind is the annual maximum, which is the most a plan will pay for an individual’s care in a given year.
What Your Dental Insurance Plan Covers
We can’t tell you exactly what your plan will cover without talking to you first, but we can say that your coverage probably looks something like this:
- Preventive services are covered 100% (checkups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments)
- Basic restorative services are covered 80% (fillings, bonding)
- Advanced restorative services are covered 50% (crowns, bridges, dentures, extractions)
These numbers are not consistent from plan to plan, so be sure to go over your coverage with our team before committing to treatment.
American Dental Association all recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each. Ideally, the first time would be in the morning right after you get up (which takes care of morning breath!), and then again right before you go to bed.
There are A LOT of toothpaste varieties these days that make bold promises on the packaging, but which one actually backs up its claims? In truth, as long as you’re using an ADA-approved fluoridated toothpaste, you should be in good shape. People with sensitive teeth should avoid whitening pastes, however, because these can sometimes be more abrasive, which can cause sensitivity to become worse.
Yes! When you don’t floss, you leave about 40% of your teeth’s surfaces unclean. This not only increases your risk of cavities and gum disease, but it also makes your breath smell bad due to the leftover food particles. You only need to floss once in the evening to enjoy the benefits, and if you don’t do so already, start by flossing once or twice a week so you can work your way up.
Mouthwash should be used sparingly for a few reasons. Firstly, mouthwashes that contain alcohol can cause dry mouth, which actually makes you more likely to develop dental problems over time. Also, rinsing too often can harm the good oral bacteria in addition to removing the bad, which can make your teeth more vulnerable in the end. Consistent brushing and flossing is all you really need, and mouthwash should only be used if you need to quickly freshen your breath.
