Scheduling and Billing
Our office is contracted with several dental insurance plans and we accept any dental insurance plan that allows you to choose your own dentist. If you’re not sure about your plan, contact our office and we will be happy to research your plan and assist you with any questions you may have!
As a courtesy, our office will assist in billing your dental insurance plan. Our office will provide an “estimate of benefits” for your treatment based off the information we receive directly from a representative of your plan. If they do not pay exactly what is estimated, you will be billed for any amount not covered by your plan.
Desert Vista North –
Dr. Smith
Dr. Javia
Desert Vista West –
Dr. Collier
Dr. Smith
No, we only accept PPO plans.
Hygiene
It is our office policy to take a full mouth X-ray set every 3-5 yrs and bitewing X-rays once a year. This is only a guideline. In some cases, there may be a need for additional X-rays. This will be recommended on an individual basis.
Most insurance plans help pay a portion of periodontal therapy , but like any other dental procedure, we are always available to give an “estimate” of the patient’s portion. We will also send a pre-authorization to your insurance..
Once you have undergone Scaling and Root Planing (SRP), you are placed on a maintenance cleaning schedule. This means you will be coming to see your dental hygienist every 3-4 months. This is mainly based on the individual frequency of calcium build-up that occurs in your mouth. The faster we can have this build-up removed, the better the results of your oral health care will be. This will also help prevent any further need for deep scaling appointments.
Yes, it is one of the side effects to using the rinse. However, we believe the benefits outweigh the effects. The staining can be removed with the help of your hygienist.
That is dependent on the individual and how severe your periodontal situation is.
A diode laser is used after the scaling and root planning procedure has been complete. The laser is used to sterilize the periodontal pockets and remove any infected tissue. This allows for the tissue to reattach to the bone and reduce the pocket depth.
Doctors
A filling is acceptable when less than 50% of the tooth structure is compromised with either decay or an old restoration. If a tooth has over 50% of tooth structure missing due to decay or failing restoration, a routine filling material is not strong enough to properly restore the tooth. Onlays are considered a conservative option when restoring your tooth. It is a restoration that is stronger than a filling material but more conservative than a crown.
People react differently to medications. Most people experience residual numbness anywhere from 2-6 hours after the injection.
Typically at your re-care visits with your hygienist, bitewing X-rays are taken. These X-rays allow us to see in between the teeth and help us diagnose any decay. However, this type of X-rays does not show the full tooth and the root surface.
A periapical X-ray shows the entire tooth, helping us to determine if there are any underlying periodontal problems or abscesses present. Most insurance companies also require this X-ray when submitting claims.