Patients ask us, should we purchase Private/Self Dental Insurance

This sometimes happens when they lose coverage that they had with their employer or patients that do not have dental insurance. We do not recommend that patients buy private or self benefit dental plans because these plans are very limited and patients would still have a significant out of pocket expense, many plans have waiting periods and in our opinion they will limit the patient to a list of dentists that would limit the quality of care that patients need and deserve, therefore its best to save the money that would be used for premiums and put it towards the cost of any dental work that they need.

Cerec Dental Crown Pros & Cons

Some patients ask me about a CEREC crown. It is definitely convenient as a crown can be done in one visit without requiring a temporary. I would only recommend it for the back teeth that are not visible where exact shade color does not matter.

Why?

The CEREC crown is made from one block of ceramic, so it is difficult to get a natural looking crown and the best results for any front visible teeth even with some companies now creating a block that have a color gradient.

For the front teeth you really need to match the teeth that are already there. There are very few dentists that have had training and that can take the time required to do this with CEREC.

So right now, I chose not to invest the time in training and (a lot of) money in CEREC equipment when the American dental labs I use can produce the best results for my patients for the same cost to the patient. That may change one day as who knows how this useful technology will evolve.

What Questions Should Patients Ask About Dental Implants

Top 5 questions patients should ask dentists  about dental implants are:

1. Am I a good candidate for implants?
2. What are the potential complications of dental implant therapy?
3. How much implant experience does the doctor have?
4. What is the healing time for my implants?
5. Can implants improve my appearance?

The 2 main questions patients usually ask are:

1. How much do dental implants cost?
2. Will dental implant surgery be painful

So their is a disconnect between the patient and the dentist. 

February is Children’s Dental Health Month

In February, for over sixty years, dentists, parents, and children all across America observe National Children’s Dental Health Month. This all began as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio on February 3rd, 1941, and the first national observance of Children’s Dental Health Day was held on February 8th, 1949. It has since grown into a month-long celebration. Our message of the importance of oral health goes out to millions of children and adults in communities across the country, and includes such events as health fairs, dental office tours, and visits to the classroom by dentists and hygienists. Dr. Ushma Patel will be volunteering at a local school giving educational programs to several children’s classes on how to take care of their teeth and talking to them about nutrition to keep them healthy.

One of the reasons for this special annual event is that many people are still unaware of the important role early dental care plays in our children’s overall health. We strongly recommend that parents take action early to ensure the health of their children’s teeth because attitudes and habits established at an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.

Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child’s self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.
Please make sure that we see your child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and certainly no later than the child’s first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings and fluoride treatments provide your child with “smile insurance” for a lifetime!

If you wish for any further information on any aspect of your child’s dental and oral health, please call us at 770-623-8750 or visit us on the web at www.HiTechSmiles.com. We’d be happy to help in any way we can!

We also like to do a complimentary first visit that we call a “happy visit” where the child accompanies their parent or sibling to their dental appointment. No work is done on the child at this visit but he or she rides the chair, plays with the air water hand piece experiencing the dentist’s office and meeting the dentist for the first time in a non-threatening way. This will make them less anxious on their “real” first visit.
Note your child may not remember their first visit to the dentist, if they were a baby or toddler. So we encourage you to bring them with you while you have your teeth cleaned and examined. They will be able to observe first hand what the hygienist or the dentist is doing in your mouth. We can also answer any questions they may have during your appointment.

By Dr. Ushma Patel with Center for Advanced Dentistry

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