Dental insurance pay-out is based on a contract between a patient and an insurance company. Unless a dentist signs into a related contract with that insurance company and essentially agrees to work for it, he/she legally is not obligated to work at a reduced fee for that company. An "out-of-network" dentist works for the patient and not for a dental…
Recently, a friend of mine who has been a very regular patient for several years came in to get a "second opinion" from me. He has been a student in a large city and opted to have his regular recare appointment there, with new dental technology, rather than traveling home. However, he was shocked because the “new” dentist,…
This is probably the most common question that my office manager is asked in a day's time. Although many people have some form of third-party assistance with their dental expenses, there is a false understanding that dental benefits are truly an "insurance," which typically is a safety net for unpredictable expenses. For example, you carry fire, wind, and theft insurance…
Dental Treatment For Headaches Headaches come in many forms and in different degrees. Everyday, more is learned about what causes them and how they can be prevented. Hormones, abnormal growths, abnormal signals from the brain, syndromes, and muscle function are just some of the causes. Usually, treatment and prevention of headaches requires a team of health professionals including physicians, physical…
I’ve noticed that my hygienist takes my blood pressure every time I come to the dentist. What’s that have to do with my mouth? Actually, this is a very important step in the periodic dental examination process. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often referred to “the silent killer” in medical circles. This is because many people who have high…
Dental implants have been being placed for decades in many forms. Early implant styles were basically surgical steel plates shaped like picket fences that were placed into slots in the jaw bone for bone to grow around. Unfortunately, few of these proved to be successful over time because of infections around them and unusual healing of the bone around the…
Denture Expecations There is a tendency for many to desire dentures rather than to invest in saving their existing teeth through maintenance and restorative dentistry. I personally cannot understand this, and I definitely cannot understand why some dentists would agree to remove reasonably salvageable teeth to comply with a patient's desire to have dentures. Denture wearers usually have decreased confidence…
Filling Facts A dental filling fills a hole in a tooth that used to have natural tooth structure. That hole can be created by tooth decay or even when part of the tooth breaks off. While "fillings" can be made of tooth-colored ceramic or plastic, they can also be made from metal like gold or silver-colored dental amalgam. Most of…
Risks of Root Canals It is no surprise that one of the most feared dental procedures is the root canal. This is unfortunate because root canal therapy carries a much higher success rate than most medical procedures. Nearly 9 out of 10 teeth treated with root canals remain comfortable and functional for many years! However, sometimes there is lingering pain…
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