Archive: Author: Anthony Poer

3 Steps to Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist for You

Posted on by Anthony Poer

To help you out, here’s a 3-step process for finding the cosmetic dentist who’s right for you.

Step 1: Know what you want. Before embarking on your search, take time to ask yourself what you want changed about your smile. Your first move is to the mirror: what about your current smile bothers you (disfigured teeth, spacing, gum appearance, etc.)? What kind of smile do you want: a dazzling, perfect “Hollywood Smile” or something more natural with variations in shade and spacing? It’s also helpful to look through magazines or other photo sources for examples of smiles you find attractive — and don’t forget photos of your younger self.

Step 2: Research your choice availability. You might start first with friends and family who’ve had positive results from cosmetic dental work. You can then review their providers’ websites, looking especially at any pictorial samples of their work. Look also for credentials from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Dentists credentialed by the latter organization must show their competency in cosmetic techniques and keep up with the latest trends with continuing education.

Step 3: Schedule an initial consultation. Hopefully you’ll be able to narrow your choice to one or two. But before you commit, visit your top choice for an initial consultation. Besides discussing your particular situation, this meeting will also give you a chance to gauge how comfortable you are with the dentist: are they a good listener and open to your concerns and desires? It’s also the best time to discuss cost and financing arrangements.

Your smile makeover is a partnership between you and your dentist. Finding the right “partner” will be crucial to a satisfying outcome.

3 Steps to Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist for You

Posted on by Anthony Poer

 

To help you out, here’s a 3-step process for finding the cosmetic dentist who’s right for you.

Step 1: Know what you want. Before embarking on your search, take time to ask yourself what you want changed about your smile. Your first move is to the mirror: what about your current smile bothers you (disfigured teeth, spacing, gum appearance, etc.)? What kind of smile do you want: a dazzling, perfect “Hollywood Smile” or something more natural with variations in shade and spacing? It’s also helpful to look through magazines or other photo sources for examples of smiles you find attractive — and don’t forget photos of your younger self.

Step 2: Research your choice availability. You might start first with friends and family who’ve had positive results from cosmetic dental work. You can then review their providers’ websites, looking especially at any pictorial samples of their work. Look also for credentials from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Dentists credentialed by the latter organization must show their competency in cosmetic techniques and keep up with the latest trends with continuing education.

Step 3: Schedule an initial consultation. Hopefully you’ll be able to narrow your choice to one or two. But before you commit, visit your top choice for an initial consultation. Besides discussing your particular situation, this meeting will also give you a chance to gauge how comfortable you are with the dentist: are they a good listener and open to your concerns and desires? It’s also the best time to discuss cost and financing arrangements.

Your smile makeover is a partnership between you and your dentist. Finding the right “partner” will be crucial to a satisfying outcome.

4 Things You Should Know About Your Dental Insurance

Posted on by Anthony Poer

 

1.  Dental insurance operates differently from other types. We often understand “insurance” as protection against unforeseen expenses. Dental insurance, though, works more like a “discount coupon” to offset dental care costs. It’s important, therefore, that you know what your plan pays for (routine care and treatment, orthodontics, cosmetic enhancement, etc.), at what percentage (50%, 80%) of the usual and customary fee. Find out what the plan refers to as the usual fee as that can be much less than 2016 costs and any annual deductible, the amount you pay before the policy pays. Also, there is always a cap as to the maximum benefit you can receive in one year.

2. Weigh all the costs if you’re the insurance purchaser. Employers pay the premiums on many dental plans as an employee benefit. If, however, you’re paying the premiums yourself, you need to add that cost to your other out-of-pocket costs for a true picture of what you’re actually spending on dental care. It’s possible a self-paying policy won’t save you money or could even increase what you might otherwise pay for dental care.

3. Your policy might limit your options. Most plans pay for the “basics”: routine cleanings and checkups, repairs and some restorations. They may or may not pay for orthodontics, certain dental materials for fillings or crowns or restorations like dental implants. Some plans could require you to see a dentist in their network, which may not include the one you prefer. It’s important to find out any limitations in your policy and factor them into your cost vs. benefits evaluation.

4. Ask your dentist for help managing your dental care costs. While your plan may seem to you to be written in a “foreign language,” your dentist’s staff works with it and other policies on a daily basis. They may be able to help you figure out the best approach for a procedure within your policy or help you arrange payments and financing that fit your family budget.

Why Flossing is so important for Oral Health

Posted on by Anthony Poer

Avoid Gum Disease

Dental plaque consists of harmful bacteria which contain viruses and microscopic parasites. If there is plaque in between the teeth that is also near the gums, this can cause inflammation which could also cause pain. This inflammation can then lead to gum disease. The very first phase of gum disease is called gingivitis. If this is not taken care of right away, you can develop periodontitis which is a more severe phase of the disease. At some point, this can also lead to tooth loss.

Avoid Tooth Decay

Simply brushing by itself does not clean the entire area around the tooth when there is a tooth right next to it. Flossing helps to get in between the teeth and removes food debris as well as dental plaque. Tooth decay is typically formed in the inter-proximal region which is in between the teeth. If food and is not properly removed from between the teeth it can cause bacteria which can lead to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss.

Avoid Bad Breath

If the plaque that forms in between your teeth is not properly found and cleaned it will eventually cause you to have bad breath. Gum disease and tooth decay are caused by the plaque found in between the teeth and can also lead to bad breath. This is why it is extremely important that you floss on a regular basis.

Prevent Tartar Build-up

If plaque forms around the teeth and is not removed it can then cause you to develop tartar on the teeth. Tartar also has the ability to cause gum disease. When you consistently clean the plaque on and around your teeth, you can prevent tartar from ever forming. You may have to visit your dentist in order to remove the plaque around the teeth via a proper cleaning of the teeth.

Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

If you have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease, then it is extremely important that you floss regularly so that bacteria does not travel to the heart causing the cardiac tissue to be impacted. By keeping your teeth and gums bacteria-free, you are also decreasing your risk of developing heart disease. Any bacteria that gets into the body causes damage to it.

Reduce Complications with Diabetes

Gum diseases have the ability to causes complications with diabetes. People who suffer from diabetes tend to heal more slowly so if bacteria travels to their organs and they develop a condition it can be more difficult for them to heal. That is why it is very important to make sure you brush and floss regularly in order to prevent bacteria from forming in the first place.

These are just some of the reasons why it is so crucial to brush and floss regularly. Plaque can form easily in between your teeth if you do not properly care for them. The idea that brushing alone is good enough is absolutely untrue. If you are not flossing regularly then it is important that you add it to your oral hygiene regimen right away.