Dentistry now has more cosmetic options than ever before. People are also more aware that an unattractive smile is not a life sentence. You can change your smile!
The most common complaints about unattractive smiles usually include:
- dark or discolored teeth
- spaces or gaps
- crowding or crooked teeth
- worn down or chipped teeth
Every patient has different goals so treatments can vary to correct cosmetic issues you may have. Options include anything from simple whitening procedures to correct the color, to braces and/ or porcelain veneers to correct the alignment or shape of your teeth. A combination of treatments may also be right for you. If your only concern is the color of your teeth, simple whitening may be the solution.
If your teeth are misaliged or mishaped, orthodontics (braces) or percelain veneers may be what is needed.
Most people are familiar with braces (orthodontics). There is the traditional approach to braces, and today we also have 6 Month Braces. The way they work is very similar, the goals are different.
Traditional braces are intended to not only straighten teeth, but also to correct any bite discrepancies, thus making the treatment time is longer. Usually it's anywhere from 12 to 36 months. 6 Month Braces are intended to correct the alignment of the teeth in the "smile zone." 6 Month Cosmetic Braces straighten only the teeth that show in your smile. 6 Month Braces are a wonderful solution for adult patients who are not happy with their smiles because of spacing, crowding, or crooked teeth.
The advantage of 6 Month Braces over Traditional is that it is much faster and typically much less expensive, while being equally as safe.
The technique works due to the use of new advanced materials and techniques that put low force on the teeth and gradually move them into their most beautiful position.
To find out more about 6 Month Braces or any other cosmetic or general dentistry service we offer please call the off at (704)655-2292.
You can also check us out on the internet at www.WhalenDentistry.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Announcing the new dental benefits plan
I am very pleased to announce a new development in our practice that we feel will truly help to benefit patients. We simply call it The Dental Benefits Plan.
This plan is designed to make quality dental care affordable for patients that do not have traditional insurance and also provide a very affordable option for employers to provide dental benefits for their patients.
How Does It Work
Besides it's affordability, the best part about the plan is that it is so simple to enroll in and use.
There is a yearly enrollment fee of $290. That's it! For a one time fee you are now covered for an entire year with benefits that far exceed what you will get from a traditional insurance plan.
The fee for the second family member drops to $200 and each family member after that pays just a $150 enrollment fee.
The fees and administration work just the same if you are an individual signing up or if you are an employer providing benefits for your staff.
Do the math and compare to what a third party insurance will charge. Trust me you are going to be very pleasantly surprised.
What is included
Now for the best part about the plan. What is included? EVERYTHING! As opposed to all traditional insurance plans that exclude valuable treatment options and deny coverage based on circumstances that you have no control over, our Benefits Plan includes everything. Veneers, short-term braces, teeth whitening...........if I do it, it is included in this plan. Here are the specifics of what is included:
This plan is designed to make quality dental care affordable for patients that do not have traditional insurance and also provide a very affordable option for employers to provide dental benefits for their patients.
How Does It Work
Besides it's affordability, the best part about the plan is that it is so simple to enroll in and use.
There is a yearly enrollment fee of $290. That's it! For a one time fee you are now covered for an entire year with benefits that far exceed what you will get from a traditional insurance plan.
The fee for the second family member drops to $200 and each family member after that pays just a $150 enrollment fee.
The fees and administration work just the same if you are an individual signing up or if you are an employer providing benefits for your staff.
Do the math and compare to what a third party insurance will charge. Trust me you are going to be very pleasantly surprised.
What is included
Now for the best part about the plan. What is included? EVERYTHING! As opposed to all traditional insurance plans that exclude valuable treatment options and deny coverage based on circumstances that you have no control over, our Benefits Plan includes everything. Veneers, short-term braces, teeth whitening...........if I do it, it is included in this plan. Here are the specifics of what is included:
- Initial full series of x-rays, comprehensive exam, and routine cleaning* (child or adult)
- Six month exam and routine cleaning
- Custom whitening trays
- 20% off of ALL OTHER SERVICES for the entire length of your enrollment, NO MAXIMUMS and NO DEDUCTIBLES
It really is that simple.
For an example, let's compare traditional insurance vs. our Dental Benefits Plan.
Traditional- Typically these plans will have a yearly maximum of $1000-$1500. After that you are on you own and you will pay full price for treatment. Usually this will cover your two routine cleanings* and may cover 1 crown or a few fillings. They will NOT pay for anything considered cosmetic: bonding, veneers, whitening.........nothing. As I'm sure you are aware, insurance companies are also notorious for finding reasons to deny coverage----any reasons! But mostly they are interested in their bottom line.
Whalen Dentistry Benefits Plan- Two yearly exams and routine cleanings* are covered. That is where the similarities between our Plan and traditional insurance end! We have no maximum for the year, and we charge no deductibles. There are no catches. It does not matter what you want or need. It is covered, period. So not only are you very likely to pay a greatly reduced enrollment fee from traditional insurance, roughly 30-50% in most cases, but the amount in savings on the rest of your dental needs are unlimited.
To find out more specifics about the plan or to schedule an appointment call (704)655-2292.
Or visit our website at http://www.whalendentistry.com/ where you can request info or schedule an appointment
*Patients with periodontal disease may require additonal treatment, which would be covered under the 20% savings
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sedation Dentistry
One of our goals at Whalen Dentistry is to provide the most relaxing experience you have had at a dental office. To add to that experience we would like to let you know about a fantastic service that we offer to help make going to the dentist as pain and anxiety free as possible, Sedation Dentistry.
Perhaps you or someone you know is so afraid of the dentist that they may avoid going all together. Or maybe they only go when their mouth has become so painful that they have no other choice, adding that much more stress to the experience. We first want to assure you that you are not alone. We will sit down with each of our patients and take the time to discuss what their fears are and come up with solutions to make their visit not only tolerable, but enjoyable.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the use of a variety medications that allow you to be sedated just enough to be pain free and unaware of treatment, as if you were relaxing or daydreaming.
During a sedation appointment me and my team are able to accomplish a large amount of dentistry in a much shorter time period. We typically can do an entire mouth's worth of work in only one or two appointments, where it may usually take 5 or 6 to accomplish the same amount of treatment.
The best part of whole experience is that in the majority of patients, there is little memory of the entire appointment and hours literally seem like minutes while you are sedated.
Is Sedation Right for You?
Sedation benefits patients who:
Perhaps you or someone you know is so afraid of the dentist that they may avoid going all together. Or maybe they only go when their mouth has become so painful that they have no other choice, adding that much more stress to the experience. We first want to assure you that you are not alone. We will sit down with each of our patients and take the time to discuss what their fears are and come up with solutions to make their visit not only tolerable, but enjoyable.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the use of a variety medications that allow you to be sedated just enough to be pain free and unaware of treatment, as if you were relaxing or daydreaming.
During a sedation appointment me and my team are able to accomplish a large amount of dentistry in a much shorter time period. We typically can do an entire mouth's worth of work in only one or two appointments, where it may usually take 5 or 6 to accomplish the same amount of treatment.
The best part of whole experience is that in the majority of patients, there is little memory of the entire appointment and hours literally seem like minutes while you are sedated.
Is Sedation Right for You?
Sedation benefits patients who:
- Have high dental anxiety and fear of the dentist
- Have a severe gag reflex
- Have chronic or acute jaw soreness or have other physical limitations such as neck or back pain
- Have difficulty getting numb
- Need extensive treatment
- Have a desire to have dentistry done comfortably while they are relaxed
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
In short, yes. Sedation dentistry is extremely safe. We have to admit that while your comfort is a huge priority to us, your safety is our number 1 concern! We will be happy to discuss all of the measures we take at your first visit to our office.
So how do I get started?
Our sedation consult is free. At your first visit we will take some time to get know you, let you see the office, and make sure you are comfortable. At this time we will go over your health history and make sure you are a candidate for conscious sedation. If you would like we can also block off some time to go ahead and take some x-rays and do a comprehensive examination. If not we will do this on you next visit to the office. We will then work with you to come up with a treatment plan based on your needs and goals for treatment.
Call our office at (704)655-2292 and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have and to get you scheduled. We look forward to seeing you!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What's the Deal With Teeth Whitening Kiosks?
I'm sure by now everyone has seen or possibly even tried the teeth whitening kiosks that are being set up at malls, Costco, there was even a booth set up at my gym the other night. The people working in these kiosks dress in white coats and try and act as a dental expert, but these people are not dentists or dental experts, nor are the even in the dental profession at all. So what is the real story with these kiosks?
These booths are allowed to exist because they don't touch you. The clients place the materials in the mouth themselves. The treatment is classified as "cosmetic" rather than "dental". So they are basically getting by on a technicality.
While it may seem that dentists would of course be against this on principle mostly to protect their own business, there can be serious concerns with non-dental professionals performing dental treatment. To start, unrecognized crowns or existing fillings will not whiten, causing results (if any) to have a negative effect on the appearance of your teeth. But more importantly undiagnosed gum disease, cavities, and worn enamel can become very sensitive and painful with the application of bleaching gel. The people working these booths have no training and are unable to recognize these potentially harmful situations.
For the most part bleaching gel is bleaching gel. The only difference is in the concentration of bleaching agent in the gel. There are basically two factors that will affect how white your teeth get: bleaching agent concentration and time. The longer amount of time spent bleaching, the greater the effects. Same goes for the concentration of the bleaching agent. In my practice the most predictable results I get with any type of whitening are to use custom fitted trays with at-home bleach. This allows the patient to use the bleach for an appropriate amount of time. Even lower bleach concentrations will still achieve great results if allowed enough time to work.
These kiosks claim that all you need is 20 minutes to achieve results. The fact is, it is just not possible. Oh yeah, the special light that is used (it is also used in dental offices, by the way) does absolutely no good. There is plenty of research to back up that point, but for all practical purposes, the light is only a marketing ploy. Any immediate results will very quickly fade.
At Whalen Dentistry we use a technique that differs a little in application and strength but gives much more predictable results.
But at least for now it seems that the days of these kiosks may be coming to an end. Recently Tennessee has passed a law banning these businesses. The new law states that only dental professionals will have the ability to prescribe the whitening agents and the application must be overseen by a licensed dentist. It seems that talks to end the practice here in North Carolina are also underway. I would expect the trend to continue throughout the country.
These booths are allowed to exist because they don't touch you. The clients place the materials in the mouth themselves. The treatment is classified as "cosmetic" rather than "dental". So they are basically getting by on a technicality.
While it may seem that dentists would of course be against this on principle mostly to protect their own business, there can be serious concerns with non-dental professionals performing dental treatment. To start, unrecognized crowns or existing fillings will not whiten, causing results (if any) to have a negative effect on the appearance of your teeth. But more importantly undiagnosed gum disease, cavities, and worn enamel can become very sensitive and painful with the application of bleaching gel. The people working these booths have no training and are unable to recognize these potentially harmful situations.
For the most part bleaching gel is bleaching gel. The only difference is in the concentration of bleaching agent in the gel. There are basically two factors that will affect how white your teeth get: bleaching agent concentration and time. The longer amount of time spent bleaching, the greater the effects. Same goes for the concentration of the bleaching agent. In my practice the most predictable results I get with any type of whitening are to use custom fitted trays with at-home bleach. This allows the patient to use the bleach for an appropriate amount of time. Even lower bleach concentrations will still achieve great results if allowed enough time to work.
These kiosks claim that all you need is 20 minutes to achieve results. The fact is, it is just not possible. Oh yeah, the special light that is used (it is also used in dental offices, by the way) does absolutely no good. There is plenty of research to back up that point, but for all practical purposes, the light is only a marketing ploy. Any immediate results will very quickly fade.
At Whalen Dentistry we use a technique that differs a little in application and strength but gives much more predictable results.
But at least for now it seems that the days of these kiosks may be coming to an end. Recently Tennessee has passed a law banning these businesses. The new law states that only dental professionals will have the ability to prescribe the whitening agents and the application must be overseen by a licensed dentist. It seems that talks to end the practice here in North Carolina are also underway. I would expect the trend to continue throughout the country.
Pregnancy and Dental Health
One of the common situations I encounter in practice are new mothers or mothers-to-be who come in to our studio.
Unfortunately there are some common myths that surround pregnancy and dental health so I wanted to take this chance to answer some of the common questions I get.
Is there a connenction between my pregnancy diet and my oral health?
Eating a balanced diet is necessary to provide the correct amounts of nutrients to nourish both you and your child. What you eat during the nine months of pregnancy affects the development of your unborn child -- including teeth. Your baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth month of pregnancy, so it is important that you receive sufficient amounts of nutrients – especially calcium, protein, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, and D.
Does a woman lose calcium from her teeth during pregnancy?
It is a myth that calcium is lost from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy. The calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not by your teeth. If dietary calcium is inadequate, however, your body will provide this mineral from stores in your bones. An adequate intake of dairy products – the primary source of calcium – or the supplements your obstetrician may recommend will help ensure that you get all the calcium you need during your pregnancy.
What if I’m hungry between meals?
During pregnancy, many women have the desire to eat between meals. While this is a normal urge, frequent snacking on carbohydrate-containing foods can be an invitation to tooth decay. The decay process begins with plaque, an invisible, sticky layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar and starch that remain in the mouth to acid that attacks tooth enamel. The longer sugars are retained in your mouth, the longer the acids attack. After repeated attacks, tooth decay can result.
Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals made up of foods from the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, fish, poultry and protein alternates; and milk, yogurt and cheese. Try to resist the urge to snack constantly. When you need a snack, choose foods that are nutritious for you and your baby such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products. Following your physician’s advice regarding diet is your wisest course.
What if I'm pregnant and need a dental radiograph examination?
A radiograph may be needed for dental treatment or a dental emergency that can’t wait until after the baby is born. Untreated dental infections can pose a risk to the fetus, and dental treatment may be necessary to maintain the health of the mother and child. Radiation from dental X-rays is extremely low. However, every precaution is taken to minimize radiation exposure. A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and should be used when any dental radiograph is taken. A leaded thyroid collar can protect the thyroid from radiation, and should be used whenever possible. The use of a leaded thyroid collar is strongly recommended for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children. Dental radiographs are not contra-indicated if one is trying to become pregnant or is breast feeding.
Does pregnancy affect my gums?
During pregnancy, your body’s hormone levels rise considerably. Gingivitis, especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy, may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush. This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to plaque and is caused by an increased level of progesterone in your system. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during your second trimester or early third trimester to help you avoid problems.
What can I do to keep my mouth healthy during pregnancy?
To help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Be sure to clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you how to brush and floss correctly.
So just to recap, even though there does seem to be a link between pregnancy and dental problems, the problems have more to do with how well teeth are taken care of rather than the actual changes that take place with the biology of your teeth. Proper diet and oral hygiene should receive even more of your attention as well as contacting your dentist to make sure you are staying healthy along the way.
*Source: in part from ADA.org
Unfortunately there are some common myths that surround pregnancy and dental health so I wanted to take this chance to answer some of the common questions I get.
Is there a connenction between my pregnancy diet and my oral health?
Eating a balanced diet is necessary to provide the correct amounts of nutrients to nourish both you and your child. What you eat during the nine months of pregnancy affects the development of your unborn child -- including teeth. Your baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth month of pregnancy, so it is important that you receive sufficient amounts of nutrients – especially calcium, protein, phosphorous, and vitamins A, C, and D.
Does a woman lose calcium from her teeth during pregnancy?
It is a myth that calcium is lost from the mother’s teeth during pregnancy. The calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not by your teeth. If dietary calcium is inadequate, however, your body will provide this mineral from stores in your bones. An adequate intake of dairy products – the primary source of calcium – or the supplements your obstetrician may recommend will help ensure that you get all the calcium you need during your pregnancy.
What if I’m hungry between meals?
During pregnancy, many women have the desire to eat between meals. While this is a normal urge, frequent snacking on carbohydrate-containing foods can be an invitation to tooth decay. The decay process begins with plaque, an invisible, sticky layer of harmful bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar and starch that remain in the mouth to acid that attacks tooth enamel. The longer sugars are retained in your mouth, the longer the acids attack. After repeated attacks, tooth decay can result.
Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals made up of foods from the five major food groups: breads, cereals and other grains; fruits; vegetables; meat, fish, poultry and protein alternates; and milk, yogurt and cheese. Try to resist the urge to snack constantly. When you need a snack, choose foods that are nutritious for you and your baby such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products. Following your physician’s advice regarding diet is your wisest course.
What if I'm pregnant and need a dental radiograph examination?
A radiograph may be needed for dental treatment or a dental emergency that can’t wait until after the baby is born. Untreated dental infections can pose a risk to the fetus, and dental treatment may be necessary to maintain the health of the mother and child. Radiation from dental X-rays is extremely low. However, every precaution is taken to minimize radiation exposure. A leaded apron minimizes exposure to the abdomen and should be used when any dental radiograph is taken. A leaded thyroid collar can protect the thyroid from radiation, and should be used whenever possible. The use of a leaded thyroid collar is strongly recommended for women of childbearing age, pregnant women and children. Dental radiographs are not contra-indicated if one is trying to become pregnant or is breast feeding.
Does pregnancy affect my gums?
During pregnancy, your body’s hormone levels rise considerably. Gingivitis, especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy, may cause red, puffy or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush. This sensitivity is an exaggerated response to plaque and is caused by an increased level of progesterone in your system. Your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings during your second trimester or early third trimester to help you avoid problems.
What can I do to keep my mouth healthy during pregnancy?
To help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease, brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque. Be sure to clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you how to brush and floss correctly.
So just to recap, even though there does seem to be a link between pregnancy and dental problems, the problems have more to do with how well teeth are taken care of rather than the actual changes that take place with the biology of your teeth. Proper diet and oral hygiene should receive even more of your attention as well as contacting your dentist to make sure you are staying healthy along the way.
*Source: in part from ADA.org
Monday, March 2, 2009
Going Green in Dentistry?
At Whalen Dentistry we have decided to do our part for the environment. We recycle, use energy efficient light bulbs, and have energy efficient appliances. But those aren't the eco-friendly changes we are excited about. We have been taking our conservation efforts in a new direction: to saving your valuable tooth structure.
For years in dentistry, the extent of cosmetic treatment was how smooth the dentist was able to make your silver colored (amalgam) filling, or how shiny they could make that gold crown in the back of your mouth.
Efforts then moved to creating dental restorations out of porcelain. The great thing about this new material was how life-like it was in appearance, and it could be used anywhere in the mouth.
The first problem with this new tooth colored restoration was that it was very brittle. The next was that advancements had not yet been made to predictably bond the restoration to the tooth.
To combat these downfalls there was one solution, make the porcelain thicker. In order to do that more of your precious tooth structure had to be taken away, leaving less of your healthy enamel available when that crown needed to be replaced in the future.
Luckily today we have made great strides in the techniques and materials that can be utilized in providing you with your dream smile. Porcelain veneers can be fabricated that measure only .3 of a millimeter thick. In some cases your teeth with only need to be very slightly prepared or not prepared at all in order to give us the results we are looking for with your new smile.
At Whalen Dentistry, Dr. Whalen will work closely with you and his lab technician to discuss options for providing your desired cosmetic result while saving valuable tooth structure. His goal with every case is to provide you with the best "green" smile possible.
Another exciting advancement brought on by new porcelain materials and the ability to bond these materials to tooth structure has to do with your back teeth (molars and premolars). Many of you have probably been told by your dentist that the old filling in your molar is going to need to be replaced, and it is going to need a crown because there is not enough of your tooth left to do another filling. While in many cases a full coverage crown is still necessary, most of teeth can be restored with a more conservative approach----a porcelain inlay or onlay. While these restorations are very similar to crowns they have one key difference: more of your natural tooth structure can be saved and will remain once the restoration has been placed.
I would encourage all of you to ask about these options if you are interested in a new smile design or if your dentist recommends any of the treatment discussed.
****A side note about minimal prep veneers. Please make sure that you only see a highly trained cosmetic dentist for any of your cosmetic dental questions. I would encourage you to ask your dentist about their relationship with the lab technician that will be used for your new smile and make sure direct communication of your desired results is possible
For years in dentistry, the extent of cosmetic treatment was how smooth the dentist was able to make your silver colored (amalgam) filling, or how shiny they could make that gold crown in the back of your mouth.
Efforts then moved to creating dental restorations out of porcelain. The great thing about this new material was how life-like it was in appearance, and it could be used anywhere in the mouth.
The first problem with this new tooth colored restoration was that it was very brittle. The next was that advancements had not yet been made to predictably bond the restoration to the tooth.
To combat these downfalls there was one solution, make the porcelain thicker. In order to do that more of your precious tooth structure had to be taken away, leaving less of your healthy enamel available when that crown needed to be replaced in the future.
Luckily today we have made great strides in the techniques and materials that can be utilized in providing you with your dream smile. Porcelain veneers can be fabricated that measure only .3 of a millimeter thick. In some cases your teeth with only need to be very slightly prepared or not prepared at all in order to give us the results we are looking for with your new smile.
At Whalen Dentistry, Dr. Whalen will work closely with you and his lab technician to discuss options for providing your desired cosmetic result while saving valuable tooth structure. His goal with every case is to provide you with the best "green" smile possible.
Another exciting advancement brought on by new porcelain materials and the ability to bond these materials to tooth structure has to do with your back teeth (molars and premolars). Many of you have probably been told by your dentist that the old filling in your molar is going to need to be replaced, and it is going to need a crown because there is not enough of your tooth left to do another filling. While in many cases a full coverage crown is still necessary, most of teeth can be restored with a more conservative approach----a porcelain inlay or onlay. While these restorations are very similar to crowns they have one key difference: more of your natural tooth structure can be saved and will remain once the restoration has been placed.
I would encourage all of you to ask about these options if you are interested in a new smile design or if your dentist recommends any of the treatment discussed.
****A side note about minimal prep veneers. Please make sure that you only see a highly trained cosmetic dentist for any of your cosmetic dental questions. I would encourage you to ask your dentist about their relationship with the lab technician that will be used for your new smile and make sure direct communication of your desired results is possible
An economic bailout for you!
With all of the news focused mainly around the economy, big businesses being bailed out, and all of the money being spent by the government, I'm sure most of you are wondering when you are going to see any of this that actually helps you out. Unfortunately I don't have any good news about anything "new" coming your way. But I would like to talk about free money that a lot of you out there are receiving and you don't even realize it---your dental "insurance".
But to understand how your dental insurance is actually this "free money" that I am talking about, you first need to understand exactly how your insurance works.
The first thing you need to know is that your dental insurance is not really insurance at all----it is more of a benefit in the fact that you, or more likely your employer, purchased a plan that gives you a maximum amount of money to use each year.
For an easy comparison let's contrast it to your medical insurance. For medical insurance you are required to pay a deductible per year for any treatment you receive and anything over that deductible is covered under your plan. So if anything major is ever needed your medical insurance will kick in to cover the costs. On the other hand your dental benefits will in most cases cover almost all of your routine dental care, but as more extensive treatment is needed to get your mouth back to perfect health, the services and percentages of those services that your provider pays drops dramatically or stops completely.
I know, I said I had some good news for you. But the way I have just described dental coverage does not seem like good news at all, does it?
Here is where a change in thinking must come in. Instead of being frustrated that coverage you have is not going to cover everything that you will potentially need----you should get excited about the fact that you have an expense account that is going to contribute to getting or keeping your mouth in the best possible shape.
Look at it like your employer has given you $1500 to use for the year. But here is the kicker, if you don't use it, you lose it. And then who is going to get what is left?----you guessed it, the insurance company. And we've all seen what those types of businesses are capable of with more of our money in their pocket.
How can you take advantage of this free money? Simple, make sure you are making it in to see your dentist at least twice per year. If you are in top shape, then everything is great and you have gotten the most out of your benefits. If there is some work to be done to get you back to your best, then your dentist will be able to work with you and discuss your options for how to get the most out of your coverage, and get what should be yours-----at the same time maintaining a healthy smile that everyone should view as a priority.
So no excuses for leaving any free money on the table. Just think of it as your piece of the bailout.
But to understand how your dental insurance is actually this "free money" that I am talking about, you first need to understand exactly how your insurance works.
The first thing you need to know is that your dental insurance is not really insurance at all----it is more of a benefit in the fact that you, or more likely your employer, purchased a plan that gives you a maximum amount of money to use each year.
For an easy comparison let's contrast it to your medical insurance. For medical insurance you are required to pay a deductible per year for any treatment you receive and anything over that deductible is covered under your plan. So if anything major is ever needed your medical insurance will kick in to cover the costs. On the other hand your dental benefits will in most cases cover almost all of your routine dental care, but as more extensive treatment is needed to get your mouth back to perfect health, the services and percentages of those services that your provider pays drops dramatically or stops completely.
I know, I said I had some good news for you. But the way I have just described dental coverage does not seem like good news at all, does it?
Here is where a change in thinking must come in. Instead of being frustrated that coverage you have is not going to cover everything that you will potentially need----you should get excited about the fact that you have an expense account that is going to contribute to getting or keeping your mouth in the best possible shape.
Look at it like your employer has given you $1500 to use for the year. But here is the kicker, if you don't use it, you lose it. And then who is going to get what is left?----you guessed it, the insurance company. And we've all seen what those types of businesses are capable of with more of our money in their pocket.
How can you take advantage of this free money? Simple, make sure you are making it in to see your dentist at least twice per year. If you are in top shape, then everything is great and you have gotten the most out of your benefits. If there is some work to be done to get you back to your best, then your dentist will be able to work with you and discuss your options for how to get the most out of your coverage, and get what should be yours-----at the same time maintaining a healthy smile that everyone should view as a priority.
So no excuses for leaving any free money on the table. Just think of it as your piece of the bailout.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Whalen Dentistry: Grand Opening
I wanted to start by announcing the grand opening of my new dental office in Cornelius, NC, Whalen Dentistry. This office has been a dream of mine since moving to the Charlotte area two years ago, and we are now up and running.
Please refer to main site http://www.whalendentistry.com/ for more information about our office and services or you can contact us at 704-655-2292 with any questions.
I will be periodically chiming in on this site to answer the most common questions I get regarding dental treatment and issues and also to announce all of the exciting new developements we have coming up as our office grows.
If there are any specific areas you would like me to address here please contact me and I will be happy to provide my input.
We are extremely excited and look forward to providing all of the information we can.
Please refer to main site http://www.whalendentistry.com/ for more information about our office and services or you can contact us at 704-655-2292 with any questions.
I will be periodically chiming in on this site to answer the most common questions I get regarding dental treatment and issues and also to announce all of the exciting new developements we have coming up as our office grows.
If there are any specific areas you would like me to address here please contact me and I will be happy to provide my input.
We are extremely excited and look forward to providing all of the information we can.
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