Dental Insurance: Managing Dentistry Costs

By AustinDentalSpa on May 20, 2010

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's

Dental insurance was not readily available to people years ago. Perhaps, your employer offered a $1000.00 annual benefit for two profession cleanings, a percentage reimbursement for major dental work such as for dental fillings, root canals, and dental crowns as well as a percentage for orthodontics. Yet, the benefits were often not high enough to substantially contribute to restorative dentistry costs. In fact, dental sealants and composite dental fillings were not usually covered by insurance companies years ago.  Today, there are ways to cover the cost of dentistry, both through employers and personal purchase options.  You may also supplement your dental insurance with another plan to more fully absorb your costs.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Dental costs can be paid for by funds that you accumulate in a flexible spending account. Flexible spending accounts are offered by some employers that allow you to save income in a special account before your income is taxed. Then, you may use the funds for healthcare costs, including dentistry.

Dental Plan Discounts: There is a wealth of discount dental plans offered by third party companies. These companies offer a preferred provider list of dentists that you may visit for discounts on professional dental cleanings, x-rays, dental fillings, root canals, dental crowns, dental implants, bridges, dentures, orthodontics and oral surgery.  These plans offer annual caps that may range from $500.00 to $1500.00, depending upon the dental plan.

Dental Financing Companies: Dental finance companies work hand in hand with dentists to provide financing for root canals, dental crowns, veneers, dental implants as well as other restorative or cosmetic dentistry procedures. Sometimes, dental finance company interest rates are better than credit card rates, offering flexible terms and repayment options.

Dental Office Payment Plans: Dental offices may offer payment plans to allow you to benefit from necessary treatment with the advantage of paying for your services comfortably.

If you would like to learn more about paying for your dental care, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Oral Health and The Perfect Day

By AustinDentalSpa on May 18, 2010

Posted in Dentistry FAQ's, oral health

Oral health can be achieved if we were to balance the amount of energy we expend on getting ready for the day with a focus on a perfect oral health day.  Knowing that your lifestyle has an impact on your oral health, you can be one step closer to understanding how to achieve a healthy mouth. Oral health days can be prefect with the right formula. General dentistry is the first place to start, but there’s more….

Dental Care in the Morning

When you wake up in the morning, complete your breakfast with an apple or pear to stimulate saliva flow in your mouth. Apples and pears cleanse bacteria, acid and food particles from the mouth. Try milk, unsweetened tea and sugar substitutes for coffee and cereal to reduce sugar intake as well as the risk of tooth decay.   Finally, it’s great to focus on oral hygiene before heading off for the day. Tooth brushing in a small circular motion at the gum line removes left over food particles that are on the teeth. Flossing down each side of each tooth ensures that food particles caught between the teeth are removed. Flossing is stimulating for the gums, too. The use of a water pick fights off plaque and tartar and provides for deep cleaning. Mouthwash adds to the feeling of freshness. When you follow a proper oral hygiene regimen, you’ll be supporting a healthy mouth day.

Oral Hygiene in the Afternoon

Next, is lunch. It’s important to stay away from acidic foods and those that stick to the teeth. Foods that are acidic or stick to your teeth lay the groundwork for tooth decay and gum disease. Instead, consider cheeses, chicken or other meats. Snack on nuts. These foods contain calcium and phosphorus that researchers have found help re-mineralize the teeth to protect your teeth’s enamel. Yogurt that is low in acid and sugar is also helpful. Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluoridated water and milk. You may wish to brush your teeth and floss following lunch in order to remove food particle residue in your mouth.

Oral health in the mid day is particularly important. It is during this time period that bacteria and acid from leftover food particles may begin to penetrate teeth and gums. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a tooth brush with you for mid day cleaning. Flossing is recommended, if you have wider spacing between your teeth. If you have low saliva flow or dry mouth syndrome, snack on a pear or apple. Check into oral gels that when placed the tongue stimulate saliva flow. You may be surprised to see how clean your mouth feels after an apple, pear or oral gel.

Oral Health at Night

Then, comes dinner. Perhaps, you’ll wish to start with a celery appetizer that massages the gums and teeth while stimulating saliva flow. Include bread that is rich in Vitamin B and healthy for your gum tissue. Select lean meat, poultry, and fish contain magnesium and zinc to support your teeth. Vitamin A rich vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli help build tooth enamel. Onions offer an anti-bacterial agent that can kill bacteria on contact.

Finally, a sound sleep awaits us. The use of a tooth brush and dental floss is highly desirable before bedtime. If you are a teeth grinder, the use of a mouth guard is necessary to prevent tooth chips and cracks. If you are taking drugs, check to see if the drug(s) is associated with oral side effects such as dry mouth syndrome. If you are a smoker, quit smoking to reduce the risk of gum disease.

And so ends a wonderful day of working with your oral health to create a healthy mouth as well as prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Let’s go ahead and do it all over again tomorrow!

If you are concerned about your oral health, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Front Tooth Damage? Consider Cosmetic Dentistry

By AustinDentalSpa on May 13, 2010

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's

Cosmetic dentistry is definitively a focus for front tooth damage. Your front teeth provide a first impression image for all to see. Since the advent of cosmetic dentistry, people that have experienced front tooth damage are relieved because of cosmetic dentistry. A cracked or chipped front tooth, tooth decay, dental infection, exposed roots, gum recession and teeth grinding are unappealing at best. The solutions of dental veneers, bonding and composite or porcelain dental fillings are promising if you’ve suffered from front tooth damage.

Bonding: Dental bonding alleviates tooth sensitivity that is associated with exposed roots and gum recession. Bonding also repairs small cracks and chips in teeth. The bonding technique involves the application of a bonding liquefying substance to the affected tooth. The procedure is not discomforting and the results are long lasting.

Dental Veneers: Dental veneers allow for injured teeth to be protected. Dental veneers are appropriate for larger cracked or chipped teeth. Dental veneers may also be appropriate for uneven teeth which may result from teeth grinding. People that teeth grind may qualify for dental veneers following treatment for the condition.

Composite or Porcelain Dental Fillings: Composite dental fillings or porcelain ones are used by cosmetic dentists for front tooth decay. This is because composite dental fillings closely mimic the appearance of a natural tooth.

Bonded Porcelain Dental Crowns: Bonded porcelain dental crowns are more aesthetically pleasing than porcelain fused to metal dental crowns.

Years ago, cosmetic dentistry options for front teeth are not readily available. Today, you have several types of cosmetic dentistry procedures to choose from for front tooth damage. Your dentist will decide on the right cosmetic dentistry procedure based on the severity of your condition. It’s refreshing to know that there are improved methods available for front tooth damage. Dental bonding, veneers, composite and porcelain fillings, as well as bonded porcelain crowns offer durability and pleasing aesthetics for front tooth damage.

If you have front tooth damage, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Cosmetic Dentistry Hits the Charts for Creating Attraction, Popularity and Intellect

By AustinDentalSpa on May 12, 2010

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has released a study demonstrating a wealth of additional benefits for people that decide on cosmetic dentistry.  The study, conducted by Dr. Anne Beall, a social psychologist and market research professional, involved over 500 U.S. participants who were requested to view and rate photos of eight cosmetic dentistry patients. Fifty percent of the participants viewed and rated the “before” photo, displaying people that did not have severe tooth decay but who requested cosmetic dentistry. The other fifty percent viewed and rated the “after” photos of the eight cosmetic dentistry patients. The results show the following top six increases in positive characteristics:

Attractive Smile: People that smile display confidence, happiness and a sense of well-being. People are naturally attracted to smiling people. Add to this, a smile makeover, it is no surprise that people involved in the study find cosmetic dentistry patients more attractive.

Popularity Poll: Cosmetic dentistry photos rated high on the popularity poll. Popularity sends a message of social status and being well liked, not uncommon for people that have cosmetic dentistry as they have invested in themselves which is evident in their smile.

Interesting: Interesting people tend to captivate attention and stir curiosity.  Being interesting has been associated with creating arousal. All of which can be appealing benefits to cosmetic dentistry patients.

Intelligent: Cosmetic dentistry patients in the study seemed to be more intelligent, reflective of the ability to show good judgment, a healthy attitude and endowed with being a sound problem solver.

Career Success: Cosmetic dentistry patients in the study appeared to be more successful in their careers, in turn creating the impression that cosmetic dentistry patients are valuable players in their respective field.

Wealthy: Cosmetic dentistry photos scored high on the wealth chart, lending the appearance that the participants had a rich source of money or valuable possessions.

In fact, the participants in the study also rated cosmetic dentistry patients higher in the areas of happy, friendly, kind and sensitive to other people. So, there’s simply more benefits that may be added to the list for cosmetic dentistry patients today.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 452-9296.

Cosmetic Dentistry Financing at its Best

By AustinDentalSpa on May 4, 2010

Posted in cosmetic dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's, Uncategorized

Cosmetic dentistry is not just for the rich and famous. Tooth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, inlays or onlays, and tooth colored composite dental fillings are cost effective for most anyone today. For those that are concerned about cosmetic dentistry costs, patient financing has opened the door to justify proceeding with cosmetic dentistry. Even insurance companies have stepped up to the plate to absorb some cosmetic dentistry costs.  For example, dental insurance companies today may pay for composite dental fillings at the rate of an amalgam dental filling. Dental insurance companies may cover all or a portion of the costs associated with inlays and onlays. But what about tooth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants and Smile Makeovers? Check out the details.

• Tooth whitening is purely a cosmetic dentistry procedure and thus is not covered by dental insurance plans. However, the costs are so reasonable that you probably won’t mind paying for tooth whitening and returning to the dental office for maintenance treatments once or twice a year.
• Dental veneers may be covered by dental insurance if the procedure is required for restorative purposes such as a cracked tooth. Yet, dental insurance may not be likely to cover the costs for crooked or overlapped teeth.
• Dental implant coverage is not typically provided in regular dental insurance plans, but you have the option to obtain separate dental insurance for implants through private companies.
• Smile Makeover costs may be absorbed in part by insurance companies to cover costs associated with the restorative component of the procedure such as dental crowns and dental fillings.

Cosmetic Dentistry Financing

Cosmetic dentistry costs may also be financed. This provides the option for you to fund the balance that insurance does not pay or total procedure costs. Patient financing is available for people at all economic levels and credit worthiness. Patient financing companies offer no interest and low interest options with rates that may be better than a credit card. Patient financing companies provide both short and long pay back terms to cover the costs of cosmetic dentistry. Approvals for financing are often the same day or within 24 hours.

If you are interested in financing your cosmetic dentistry procedures, call Dr. Mark Sweeney, an Austin Texas cosmetic dentist at (512) 380-1300.