Important Financial Tips for Dental Implant Patients in Orange County, PART 2

This two-part article series provides some important financial advice for patients worried about the cost of getting new teeth with dental implants.

Welcome to the second installment of this two-part article series on how to manage the cost of dental implants. As it was explained in Part 1, dental treatment is seldom inexpensive and while dental implants are regarded in the industry as one of the best, most effective and long-lasting solutions to tooth loss, the cost tends to concern patients.

In Part 1, our Orange County dentist advised that patients should speak to their dental healthcare professionals to find out whether they offer any low cost implant options or payment options that might help them receive the treatment they need. Or, if that fails, to find out whether the dentist works with any medical financing companies - such as Springstone Financing or CareCredit - which will help them cover the cost of treatment at a rate that suits their budget. Most dental implants surgeons in Orange County work closely with medical financing companies, so this is typically a good option for patients.

Now, let's look at one last financial tip that could provide great relief for patients in need of new teeth!

Tip # 3: Speak to Your Medical Insurance Broker

"We always advise that a patient gives their medical insurance broker a call before applying for financial assistance. Few medical insurance or even dental insurance schemes offer coverage for dental implants because they are regarded as an elective procedure. In other words, they aren't necessary, because there are other, cheaper options available. And so, many patients don't even bother going through medical aid when coming in for treatment."

"But just because these companies may not cover the cost of implants, there are certainly some costs they should cover and you should make sure that you are benefiting from this assistance! It's the reason you have medical insurance in the first place!"

So, what costs might these be?

"You should be able to get your medical insurance company to pay for any X-rays you need, as well as the cost of anesthesia – local or general. If you're having extensive dental work done, like full mouth reconstruction, and need to book a hospital bed, then they may cover your stay as well," says a dental implants surgeon in Orange County. "Also, the cost of medications, such as anti-inflammatories, pain-killers and antibiotics are typically covered by medical aid."

"You have to be absolutely sure that you aren't unnecessarily covering any expense yourself, so give your broker a call and explain your costs in detail. Ask him or her which ones are eligible for coverage. This will lessen the financial burden on your shoulders and make it easier for you to receive top-of-the-line treatment."

Why Not Just Opt for Cheaper Treatment?

Getting dental implants represents a significant investment. Yes, financially, but also in areas of your life that are far more important and irreplaceable. Dental implants function, feel and look more like natural, healthy teeth than any other teeth replacement technology and they support excellent jawbone health. They typically last longer too and seldom require costly restoration once they have been placed. In short, dental implants are a long-term investment that has - for countless people - proven to be incredibly cost effective.

Most Orange County dentists believe that dental implants support a better quality of life and much better social confidence than any other teeth replacement technology. This is why they urge patients to call their medical insurance brokers, speak to their dentists and apply for medical financing so that they can benefit from the best teeth replacement treatment modern dentistry has to offer. It is not a decision you are likely to regret, whereas most denture-wearers do.

Important Financial Tips For Orange County Dental Implant Patients, PART 1

This two-part article series provides some important financial advice for patients worried about the cost of getting new teeth with dental implants.

It shouldn't come as any surprise to learn that the first thing Orange County residents worry about when told that they require one or more of their teeth replaced is the cost. Dental treatment is, after all, rarely inexpensive. The problem with this concern is that it often compels patients to opt for the cheapest treatment options, which aren't always the best or, ironically, the most cost effective in the long term. That is if they opt for treatment at all! This is what Orange County dental implants dentists frequently find when consulting with patients who do require new teeth.

The good news is there are many ways you can relieve the financial burden of this kind of dental work and still get the best teeth replacement technology dentistry has to offer: dental implants. In this two-part article series, we speak to an experienced dentist who will provide us with a couple of pointers on how to get financial assistance from your dental healthcare professional and the most out of your medical insurance when getting dental implants.

Tip # 1: Speak To Your Dentist

"If you're concerned about finances, simply speak to your dentist or dental specialist. He or she will be the one who will explain to you what it is you require in order to get your problem fixed, but there's always more than one treatment option available," explains the Orange County dental implant doctor. "Even with dental implants, there are a number of techniques and a suite of hardware used today and some will be less costly than others. It doesn't hurt to ask your dentist about your treatment options and whether there is anything that can be done to reduce the financial burden on you."

"Another possibility is that your dentist's office may be happy to accept payment over a number of months instead of up-front. This may make it easier for you to cover the costs. If not, most dentists in Orange County work closely with medical financing companies who will cover all of your costs up-front, allowing your to pay your bills in pre-arranged installments over a period of time that will better suit your budget."

Tip # 2: Find a Dental Financing Company

"If your dentist does prefer payment up-front, then ask the administrative staff which medical financing companies they work with. They should help to put you in contact with one of their representatives or even file the application forms for you."

Some of the biggest and most reputable medical financing companies in Orange County include Springstone Financing and CareCredit. Both maintain easy to navigate websites and offer a quick and accessible way to monitor payments. You can apply for financial assistance online and if you have any questions, simply call or email them to speak to one of their representatives.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Stay tuned for the second half of this two-part article series to learn more tips about managing the cost of dental implants. In addition to talking to your dentist and applying for dental financing, you should speak to your medical insurance broker and we shall be taking a look at this third tip in the second installment.

Dental Implants Can Offer Corona Del Mar Residents Best Teeth Replacement Solution, PART 2

This two-part article series provides a list of reasons why dental implants are considered by dental healthcare professionals to be the best teeth replacement technology on the market.

Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on dental implants and the incredible solutions they offer patients who have lost one or more of their natural pearly whites. In Part 1, it was explained to us by a Corona Del Mar dental Implants surgeon that implants are essentially fixed (non-removable) artificial tooth roots that are made from titanium. They are used to provide support for dental restorations that can either come in the form of a prosthetic bridge (in the case of multiple teeth replacement) or a single ceramic tooth crown.

We still have quite a few questions about this incredible technology; so let's get started right away...

Are most patients candidates for dental implants?

Answer: "Yes, we find that most Corona Del Mar residents who require new teeth – whether they've lost only one or all of them – can be considered candidates for dental implant surgery. There are only a few rare circumstances in which we may be forced to consider an alternative and this is usually because surgery is contraindicated."

What might be the cause of that?

Answer: "No dentist in Corona Del Mar would proceed with surgery if he or she felt that a patient wasn't in good general and/or oral health. We may recommend treatment for, for example, gum disease before setting a date for dental implant surgery. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, respiratory and cardiovascular disease will also require strict and careful consideration beforehand, as will bleeding disorders and certain bone diseases."

Is there a risk of implant surgery failing?

Answer: "As with any medical condition or treatment, there is always a risk that it might not achieve the outcomes envisioned by the doctor or patient. There's also the risk that it might fail altogether and this is no different with dental implants. If a patient fails to adhere to the post-operative instructions provided to them by their dentist, there may be a risk of implant failure," explains the dental implant dentist in Corona Del Mar. "Having said this, implants do have a 98% success rate, which means that 98% of all patients enjoy a smooth and complete recovery."

What do you find patients enjoying the most about their new teeth? What compliments do you most frequently receive?

Answer: "Most patients focus immediately upon the improvement of their smile. Most are so enamored with their new tooth or new teeth that they are distracted from the other benefits they enjoy. With time, however, we tend to get other feedback, especially if a patient has had an older, inferior dental technology replaced with dental implants. For the most part, aside from smile aesthetics, we hear that the teeth supported by dental implants are more comfortable to eat with and that they feel far more natural. 99% of patients are completely happy with their treatment."

Worst-case scenario, a patient's dental implants fail... What happens now?

Answer: "We make sure that each and every patient leaves our practice with a full understanding of what symptoms to look out for in the event that infection sets in post-operatively. Should these symptoms occur, we urge you to contact us immediately and we will book you in for emergency attention. In most cases, timely intervention can prevent implant failure, but if your implant does come out altogether, we may be able to do a re-implantation procedure," says the dentist in Corona Del Mar. "In other words, there is little we can't do to provide patients with new teeth, provided they are in good oral health and good general health."

Dental Implants Can Offer Corona Del Mar Residents Best Teeth Replacement Solution, PART 1

This two-part article series provides a list of reasons why dental implants are considered by dental healthcare professionals to be the best teeth replacement technology on the market.

An accidental fall; a fender bender in your car without wearing your seatbelt; a stray olive pit in your salad; a toothache you never got seen to...

All of these and more can cause one or more of your original adult teeth to fall out or, more commonly, to require extraction by a dental healthcare professional. The good news is that there are a number of teeth replacement technologies on the market that can repair a gappy smile, but dental implants, according to Corona Del Mar dentists, are among the best.

In order to better understand what this technology is and what it has to offer patients in need of new teeth, we spoke to a dental implant surgeon and in this two-part article series we shall reveal what he had to say.

Let's begin with an explanation: What are dental implants?

Answer: "Dental implants are devices used to replace the roots of missing teeth. They function as a sort of platform or foundation, which provides sturdy, fixed support for the actual tooth replacement component. This can either come in the form of a prosthetic or ceramic bridge, when multiple teeth are being replaced, or a single ceramic tooth crown."

What do dental implants look like?

Answer: "An implant looks similar to a tiny screw. They're fabricated from medical grade titanium, which is the only suitable metal on the periodic table that is also highly biocompatible. This means that the implant – once placed - is unlikely to be rejected by the body. Your bone will actually biologically fuse to the surface of the titanium implant and this is how it and the replacement teeth it supports become non-removable."

Name three of the most important reasons you might recommend dental implants to Corona Del Mar residents who need new teeth?

Answer: "When recommending treatment to a patient, we would like to know that the solutions provided to them would enable them to live their life in comfort and with a healthier self-esteem. We would also like to ensure that their oral health isn't negatively affected by the new tooth or new teeth we have provided the and it's for these reasons that we find dental implants offer Corona Del Mar residents best teeth replacement solution.

"Number one, they feel, function and look very similar to natural teeth. In fact, dental implants feel more like natural teeth than most of the other technologies on the market. Number two; they can provide patients with a beautiful, healthy looking smile, which promotes excellent confidence and a much better self-esteem. Number three; dental implants promote excellent oral health. They don't typically harm the neighboring teeth and they help to maintain the health and bulk of the underlying jawbone."

"These benefits are unique to dental implants, which is why you will find that most Corona Del Mar dentists and healthcare professionals recommend them to their patients should they require teeth replacement."

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about dental implants in Corona Del Mar and the fantastic benefits they offer patients, stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series.