Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about our dental office. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.
Click on a question below to see the answer.
What are the office hours?
Our office hours are by
appointment Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are closed Friday through Sunday.
What type of Dental Insurance do we accept?
We accept Delta Dental, which means we are a Delta “Provider”. We are not on any other insurance list. We do work with all PPO plans that have an “out of network” clause. This means the PPO will allow the policy holder to see a dentist of their choice, however, their out of pocket expense may be more than if they were seen by a in network provider.
What type of payment plans do we have?
We accept Visa, Master, and Care Credit Cards. We do not accept American Express or Discover cards.
When do I have to pay for treatment?
Patient share is due at time of treatment. We will bill the insurance and wait for their payment. If there is a remaining balance after insurance, the patient is asked to pay this upon the receipt of our statement.
What kind of insurance do we accept?
We are a Delta Premiere provider. We also work with Delta DPO as an out of network provider. We are not a Delta DPI provider.
Are we an “in-network provider” for Aetna, Blue Cross, MetLife, etc.?
No, we are not a listed provider. We can work with your insurance if there is an “Out of Network” clause in your contract. We are not an HMO provider of any insurance.
How much will my insurance pay?
Approximately 80 to 100% of our cost is covered for preventative treatment which includes x-rays, doctor exams, and regular six month hygiene appointments. Most policies cover about 80% on basic treatment which includes perio treatment, fillings, and partials. Major treatment is cover at approximately 50% which includes crowns and bridges. Implant crowns are not a covered benefit by the majority of policies. Each insurance policy has its own fee schedule; therefore, the percentage number will vary on each policy.
How do we know what the patient share will be?
We do not know “exactly”! We subscribe to a service that provides fee information and these records are updated six times per year. Our computers work with this information to calculate an estimate of patient share. This gives us access to hundreds of policies; however, this information is not always able to compute to the final dollar on each individual policy. It is the best resource available. The only way to know “exactly” what the insurance company will pay is to have the treatment pre-authorized; this takes 30 to 60 days, and can be done for any type of treatment plan.
Why do I need Periodontal Therapy (Root Scaling)?
Periodontal therapy is a treatment to treat periodontal disease (gum disease) and to prevent further destruction of the periodontium (bone that holds teeth in your head).
How long an appointment is the Periodontal Therapy?
Because Periodontal disease is an infection, it is treated at one appointment, consisting of three to four hours. You may also be given a prescription for a mouth rinse to help with this infection.
Why do I need to have my teeth cleaned at three or four months rather than the regular six months twice a year program?
If you have been treated for periodontal disease (gum disease), you need to be aware that gum disease is a non-curable progressive disease which needs regular maintenance appointments.
What causes a cracked tooth?
A tooth may crack due to a variety of reasons: chewing on hard objects such as ice, nuts, hard candy, an accident as a blow to the mouth, grinding and clenching your teeth, loss of tooth structure due to wear, brittleness of teeth that have had root canals, and old large silver fillings.
Why do I have to replace a filling?
Old silver fillings generally expand and contract with hot and cold leaving cracks and spaces where bacteria can get under the filling resulting in decay. Fillings are subject to constant stress from chewing which can cause a gradual wearing away, chipping, cracking or even falling out. Worn fillings should be replaced before they hurt.
Why are my teeth yellow?
Teeth naturally vary in color; however, most of the staining is due to dark colored carbonated drinks, tea, coffee and red wine. Other staining causes are foods with red sauces and smoking. Bleaching can remove the stains and restore the natural tooth color.
How can I get a beautiful smile without braces?
Veneers are used to correct open spaces, chips, and uneven teeth to create a beautiful smile.
Is there any way to replace missing teeth?
Missing teeth can be replaced with a partial, fixed bridge, or implants. A fixed bridge is a series of crowns to replace the missing tooth. It is necessary to crown the two teeth on each side of the missing tooth. Implants can be a wiser choice, especially if the adjoining teeth have no reason to be crowned. An implant is a stand alone fixture replacing only the one missing tooth.
What is an implant crown?
An implant crown is a two-step process. The implant fixture is placed by an oral surgeon and requires a three to six month healing period. After this period of time, the oral surgeon will uncover the implant, place the healing cap and return the patient to our general dental office for the final implant crown restoration.
I am very nervous regarding any type of dental work, is there anything to help me feel more comfortable?
There are a variety of services we can offer depending on your individual needs.