November 27, 2013

Are You Ready For Thanksgiving Dinner? Missing Teeth at the Holidays

Dr. Chilcoat @ 10:19 am

 

Thanksgiving dinner with missing teethThanksgiving dinner is something that we look forward to all year long- it has become one of the most important meals of the entire year!  Being in the dental implant business, it dawned on me that some people don’t enjoy their meals as much as they should- or could.  I realized that holidays like Thanksgiving are, for some people, a time where they will spend a lot of energy trying to compensate for missing teeth, hide missing teeth and even avoid smiling in front of friends and family.

It is easy for me to say that the answer is dental implants, and that everybody who has missing teeth should go and get them.  The reality is much different.  I know that people do not go through life with missing teeth because they like it.  There are three things that deter people from taking the steps to restore their oral health and dental condition and in the process improve their quality of life.

1)  Needing More Information.  The internet is overflowing with information about dental implants, how they can change your life, how they can restore dental health and function.  The key information that YOU need in order to decide if dental implants are right for YOU is missing!  You don’t really want to schedule a consultation with a surgeon to get answers to your questions because you are not in the mood to be sold to- how do you know if the plan you get from a specialist is the best option for your particular situation?  The truth is, there is no “one-size fits all” approach when restoring teeth with implants.  Patients deserve to be listened to, given options for treatment that meet their needs, wants and budget.  It is rare that there is only one solution to a dental problem when it comes to missing teeth- take advantage of free consultations and get more than one professional opinion.

2) Cost of Dental Implants.  Yes, dental implants are expensive.  There is no way around the fact that such a highly engineered, technical and precise treatment can be made as affordable as say, a filling in your tooth.  With that being said, it is important to consider the VALUE as opposed to the COST of dental implants.  Dental implants are permanent 98% of the time, which means that in terms of value, they are actually very inexpensive over time.   Dental implants are able to restore complete dental function, more thoroughly than any other method of tooth replacement.  This has a huge impact on quality of life.  Payment plans both short term and extended over a longer period of time make it possible to get dental implant treatment now, and pay for it over time with a payment you can afford.

3) Fear of Dental Work.  Many patients end up with missing teeth because they are fearful of the dentist and do not like getting dental work done.  This is much more common than you think.  In fact, many patients avoid regular dental work and minor repairs for so long that going to the dentist only occurs in an emergency, exacerbating their fears because of the need for extensive dental work under conditions that include infection and pain- making dental work uncomfortable.  Patients with dental fear find that treatment with dental implants by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is not only comfortable, but completely stress-free.  Dental implant patients can have their complete treatment done while under IV general anesthesia and literally sleep comfortably through the entire treatment, wake up without pain (they are numbed while asleep), and wake up with new teeth.

Whatever your reason for just making it through another Thanksgiving dinner with missing teeth, we are here to help.  Tell us your concerns, challenges and fears- we will work with you to find the answer.  You have the power to make this Thanksgiving the last one with missing teeth.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our fantastic patients and friends!  At Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants we are especially thankful for all of you, who make coming to work an absolute treat for us!  Someone very wise once said that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life- and it is very true!

November 15, 2013

Easy Scheduling For Wisdom Teeth During School Breaks

Dr. Chilcoat @ 9:19 am

Thanksgiving wisdom teeth appointmentsThanksgiving is upon us, and the holiday season is drawing near!  We hope you have a joyful holiday season enjoying the company of family and friends, along with all the good food!

At Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants, one thing we see happen every year around this time is an increased demand for appointments. The number of teenagers who need their wisdom teeth removed seems to increase.  Over the years, we have realized that wisdom teeth become popular around the holidays because that is when the kids are off from school.  No school means the timing is perfect for a short recovery from wisdom tooth removal.

Another reason we see an increase in wisdom teeth patients is due to the fact that annual insurance benefits for 2013 expire at the end of the year.  If your dentist has recommended removal of those pesky third molars, you might want to get the treatment done between now and the New Year in order to utilize the dental insurance coverage which expires as soon as the ball drops in Time Square.  Unused HSA and Medical Flex accounts also expire on December 31.

We Offer Easy Appointments For Wisdom Teeth Removal

If oral surgery is on your “to-do” list, we have made it easy to make an appointment to see Dr. Weinstein.  We are open Monday through Friday this month, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day.  Our friendly and knowledgeable team can help you get the treatment you need while maximizing your insurance coverage for wisdom teeth extraction.

Take Advantage of Special Savings on Wisdom Teeth Surgery

If you do not have dental insurance coverage for your wisdom teeth removal surgery, we know how daunting it can seem to afford the cost of oral surgery.  For this reason, we are offering a very special all-inclusive surgical fee of $1185 for all wisdom teeth removal surgeries through the end of 2013.  This very special wisdom tooth removal package includes consultation and x-rays in addition to the surgical removal of up to four wisdom teeth with IV general anesthesia.  You get to sleep comfortably right through the surgery and wake up pain-free from the local anesthesia injections.

Compassionate Patient Care

While convenience and cost are important factors when planning removal of wisdom teeth, it is equally, if not more important to consider patient service when choosing an oral surgeon.  Dr. Robert A. Weinstein has over 30 years experience as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. His genuine concern and compassion for every patient helps take the stress out of visiting an oral surgeon.  Dr. Weinstein insists on seeing every patient for a pre-surgical consultation in order to make sure that his patients are comfortable with the planned procedure prior to treatment.

Schedule Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery

To schedule a consultation for wisdom teeth removal surgery before the end of the year, contact us today.  Our friendly team will help you set an appointment that works with your busy schedule.

 

November 2, 2013

Are Dental Implants Covered By Insurance?

Dr. Chilcoat @ 4:34 pm
does dental insurance cover dental implants

Dental coverage for dental implants can be confusing. Make sure you understand your plan.

One question we hear at least ten times a day in our practice is “Are dental implants covered by dental insurance?“.  The answer is a resounding “sometimes”.  Dental implant coverage can be complicated. It is important that you are well educated about your dental plan allowances and limitations. Here are some tips to help you make sense of it all.

Read Your Dental Plan Documents

The first step in determining whether or not your dental insurance will assist you with the cost of dental implants is to read your plan documents.  If there is coverage for the treatment, it will be specified within the terms of coverage.  These documents are sometimes a little difficult to decipher, so if you need help, give us a call.

Beware The Missing Tooth Clause

Some insurance policies cover dental implants, but only if the missing tooth was removed while you were covered by the plan.  Make sure you understand if a limitation like this applies to you. If your dental insurance covers dental implants, read carefully. Be careful not to assume that a dental implant will be covered for a tooth that was extracted 10 years ago while you were covered under a different policy.

Maximize Your Dental Benefits

If your dental insurance provides coverage for dental implants, plan your treatment to maximize your insurance plan’s contribution.  Most dental plans allow payments up to a specified annual maximum (usually $1500 or so).  In the best case scenario, you can use your benefits to pay for the implant placement toward the end of the year.  If you reach your annual maximum, there is a good chance that your benefits will renew again on January 1st.  Because most dental implants need a few months to heal and osseointegrate (get solid in the bone), you won’t be having the crown completed right away. You can utilize your new annual insurance benefits for the completion of the implant at a later date.  On January 1, you will have a brand new maximum to help cover the cost of the dental crown.

Use Your HSA or Flex Medical Account

Even if dental insurance does not cover the cost of a dental implant, you can still utilize your HSA or Medical Flex Account to cover the cost.  Make sure to use those funds before December 31 this year, or they are lost forever.  ** BONUS** Using your HSA funds to cover the cost of a dental implant is extra sweet because those funds are often pre-tax. It is like getting a discount.

Dental Implants Not Covered? The Dental Implant Crown Probably IS

Don’t get discouraged if your dental insurance does not cover dental implants.  In most cases, if the plan covers a traditional dental crown, they must also cover a dental implant crown.  This means that you may be entitled to at least partial coverage, even if dental implants are excluded under your plan

Still Confused About Dental Implants and Dental Insurance?

If you still need help determining if your dental plan covers implants, we are here to help.  Give us a call or send us an email any time, and we will be happy to help you figure it out.  Even with no dental insurance coverage, dental implants are now more affordable than ever.  We can even help you fit the needed treatment into your budget using a monthly payment either through Care Credit or other financing resources-with no interest.