Saturday, November 29, 2014

Taking Advantage of Your 2014 Dental Insurance Benefits

2014 is winding down, and in the midst of all the holiday preparations, going to the dentist might not top your list of things to do- but it should.  As the year comes to a close, so do most dental insurance benefits. For most PPO dental insurance plans, the close of the calendar year also means the expiration of unused dental insurance funds.

Dental Insurance Benefits- Use Them of Lose Them


Dental insurance plans are set up to provide regular dental maintenance such as cleanings and check-ups twice per year.  In addition, there is usually an annual maximum payment available to take care of the cost of dental repairs such as fillings, crowns and dental bridges.  Unused funds do not typically roll over into the new year on January 1, rather they expire unused.

Are You Due For a Check-Up?


Insurance members should stay on track with regular dental cleanings and exams, because most of the time they are available through the plan at no cost to you.  If it has been six months or more since your last dental appointment, now is a good time to schedule a cleaning.  Taking advantage of this year's dental benefits maximum will ensure that your 2015 dental maximum is fully available should you need dental work in the coming year. 

Need Extensive Dental Work?


If you know you need some dental work, starting it this year staging it in phases can work to your financial benefit.  Schedule a portion of your dental work before the end of the year, and the remainder in 2015 when your benefits renew in order to maximize the contribution from your dental insurance carrier.

Forest Lane Dental is a Preferred Provider


One of the perks of using dental insurance with a preferred provider is that the total cost of dental treatment is contractually discounted for members of the plan.  Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental is a preferred provider for most of the popular PPO dental insurance plans including:
  • Aetna
  • Assurant
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Delta Dental
  • Dental Select
  • Dentemax
  • Guardian
  • Humana
  • Metlife
  • United Health Care
  • United Concordia
Forest Lane Dental also participates with numerous other dental plans and DMO's, and will file to your insurance plan for you.  Contact your Dallas dentist today to schedule an appointment today.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Professional Teeth Whitening Just in Time For Christmas



Are you ready for a dazzling white smile this holiday season?  Professional teeth whitening is the number one most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, and it can have a big impact on the way you look and feel.

Affordable Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening is an affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure, and provides a dramatic result for the cost.  In- office teeth whitening offers whitening up to several shades in just a single office visit.  Take-home whitening kits are used at home, and will provide similar results after repeated use, usually in 1-2 weeks. Whichever method you choose, you can be sure to achieve beautiful results.

Steps to Whiter Teeth
Start with clean teeth.  Schedule a dental exam and professional cleaning in order to check for signs of tooth decay.  Whitening decayed teeth can cause dental pain. A professional cleaning procedure helps prime your tooth surfaces for the best results with whitening.
Avoid foods that stain teeth.  Deeply pigmented foods and liquids stain your teeth and can reverse the effects of dental bleaching prematurely.  Red wine, coffee, tea and berries are some of the worst culprits when it comes to stained teeth.  Smoking and tobacco use are also known to cause serious stains.
Maintain your results with good dental hygiene.  Once you have achieved whiter teeth, keep them clean and stain free with regular brushing and flossing using a fluoride toothpaste.  Professional strength fluoride treatments might be needed to help prevent sensitivity sometimes caused by teeth whitening.
See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up, and keep your teeth their whitest with a new take-home whitening kit twice a year. 

Schedule Your Professional Whitening Now
Call Forest Lane Dental today to schedule your appointment and get started on improving your appearance with professional teeth whitening.