Should I Consider Teeth Whitening ?

Should I Consider Teeth Whitening ?

Few of us can escape the fate of yellowed teeth. The substances we consume discolor the enamel over time--plus the enamel becomes thinner as we age, allowing more of the yellow dentin beneath to show through.

The good news is, this type of staining can be reversed with professional whitening treatments from your Naperville, IL dentist at Dental Pointe. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments today, and it's extremely safe and effective when performed by a qualified dental professional.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is achieved with a peroxide-based bleaching agent that lifts stains out of the tooth's surface, helping you:

• Improve your self-esteem
• Show off your smile with pride
• Take years off your appearance

A single whitening treatment may suffice for mild yellowing or minor stains. If you need to lighten your teeth by several shades, multiple visits may be needed.
While it's safe for most people to have their teeth professionally whitened, attempting to whiten teeth at home often results in negative side effects, such as chemical burns and uneven shading. Your Naperville dentist will plan your treatment to deliver the results you want safely.

When Is Teeth Whitening Not Recommended?

Professional teeth whitening is effective for many people, and helps to brighten teeth that have yellowed over time. However, certain types of staining do not respond well to whitening treatments.

• Brown or gray stains: Teeth that are severely discolored, or stained a shade other than yellow, will not respond well to standard teeth whitening treatments.
• Stains inside the tooth: Internal discoloration can be caused by certain medications and trauma to the tooth. These stains will not be affected by bleaching agents applied to the surface of the teeth.
• Restorations: If your front teeth have been treated with crowns, bridges, composite fillings, or other dental restorations, whitening will not deliver results on these areas.

If your teeth are not likely to respond to whitening treatments, don't despair--there are always solutions to help you improve the look of your smile, such as veneers or dental bonding. Consult with your Naperville dentist to find out what your options are to achieve a brighter smile.

Family Dentist in Naperville, IL

Whitening your teeth can boost your self-confidence, reverse effects of aging, and make you happier with your appearance. To find out if teeth whitening is the best way to improve your smile, contact Dental Pointe at 630 333 9571 to schedule your appointment.

Understanding the Basics of Dental Insurance

When your medical or dental insurance sends you an explanation of benefits (EOB) in the mail, do you throw it unopened on a pile of paperwork that includes the deferment paperwork for your student loans from 1962?  Or are you thinking "What the heck is an explanation of benefits?"  If you do open it, does it hit you like a Rorschach Inkblot test? You think there is something important you are supposed to be able to see, but you can't quite figure it out.  When you ask your HR person at work to explain the basics of the group dental plan does he or she say "It covers some stuff" or "We have a group dental plan?"

Your group dental plan is very different than your medical plan.  Here is what you need to know:

1) Deductible - Typically $25 or $50.  This is applied and paid by you when you have your first appointment for dental treatment like a filling or crown. Most plans do not apply this deductible toward your exams and cleanings, therefore no money is due from you during these types of appointments.

2) An annual maximum benefit -  This is typically $1000.00 - $1500.00.  Most plans are calendar year. When the insurance has paid benefits up to this amount you are cut off until next plan year. On January 1st of the next year your maximum is available to you again.

3) The annual maximum benefit is paid out in percentages depending on the type of service you have at the dentist.  Typically:

Type 1 services (Preventative) 100% coverage - exams, x-rays and cleanings, fluoride and sealants for kids up to a certain age.

Type 2 services (Basic restorative) 80% coverage - fillings, root canals, extractions, periodontal scaling and root planning (deep cleanings).

Type 3 services ( Major restorative) 50% coverage - crowns, build ups, posts, dentures, bridge work.

So know you know the basics! Easy right?  That's what Mrs. Hellgren said back in '75  in grammar class.  Then she uttered the mind wrenching word "Exceptions".  "I before E except after C" The hell had begun. (Is that an incomplete sentence?) Anyway....

The biggest pit falls to look for in your group plan are the following "exceptions":

WAITING PERIODS: Woops!  You have to wait 6 months from your effective date on the group dental plan for Type 2 services to be covered!

MISSING TOOTH CLAUSE: If the tooth was missing prior to your effective date with the group plan, too bad. They are not going to pay to replace it with a bridge or implant.

FREQUENCYS: The group plan allows certain services at certain intervals. Cleanings every 6 month plus 1 day.  (I'm not kidding, have your cleaning 1 day too soon and you insurance won’t cover it.)  Full sets of x-rays are usually limited to every 3-5 years. That means if you switch dentists you want to have those x-rays sent over before you arrive.

INSURANCE VARIES BY EMPLOYER: The group plan purchased by each employer can be different even if it is from the same insurance company. An employer might purchase a plan with a lower premium which means that the coverage will be lower for the plan participants.

Now that you know the basics, how do your maximize your benefits?  Most importantly, GO TO YOUR DENTIST!  "Use it or lose it!"   What we are trying to say is that your group plan is like someone saying they will pay a percentage of your bar tab. How often does that happen? So find out what your plan covers and use it to the maximum - we find out the details for you anyways. Insurance companies love it when you pay your premium and then NOONE uses the insurance! Don't get us wrong, we love dental insurance. It facilitates oral health and helps people who could absolutely NOT afford a check up and cleaning, get one for free!

Make sure you go to a dentist who is actually CONTRACTED with your group plans insurance company - we are with most insurance companies. We are contracted to only charge you the agreed upon fee schedule with the insurance and collect only your portion for covered services. Most dentists in the Chicago area have the same contracted fee schedule with most insurance companies, so shopping around is pretty much a waste of your time.

Another cool thing that we do is give you a pre-estimate on how much you will have to pay out of pocket.  That way you see ahead of time how much the insurance will likely pay. We have the experience and knowledge of these basics and be able to give you a pretty accurate estimate before the treatment is performed.

In review:  Maximums, deductibles, percentages, and watch for exceptions! We are here to serve you and help you maximize your dental insurance benefits. Call us anytime if you have any questions and we will be glad to help you. 

The Perfect Road Map For Your Child’s Oral Health

On July 3^rd, 1806, two years into their journey to chart the uncharted west of America, pioneer explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark reached a challenge of epic proportion – the Rocky Mountains. What next, they wondered? Without a map, they were forced to do what explorers do – explore, and hope for the best. So, that got us thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a handy map you could use to chart your own dental health? With that in mind, and in honor of our “Dog Days of Summer” explorers, we at Dental Pointe wanted to share with you a few mile markers you can use to stay on top of your child’s health today, next year, and for years to come!
 

6 to 24 months
 

When you’re a new parent, life is a whirlwind, and the dental care of your newborn may not be top of mind when you look in their mouths and see no teeth! Here are some things to keep in mind: 

Schedule a visit: As soon as that first tooth comes in, you’ll want to give us a call at 630 333 9571 to schedule a visit and set up a periodic exam schedule. Also, be aware the ADA recommends fluoridated toothpaste now for all children under the age of three. Don’t wait!

Ask us about:

• Home hygiene basics: Things like, tips and tricks on brushing and other care. There’s nothing better than having our hygienists give brushing tutorials – they’re experts!
• Preventative dentistry: The possible need for fluoride supplements
• Dietary strategies: Achieving a balanced diet early in life for good oral health later
• Feeding practice awareness: Bottle, breastfeeding, and no-spill training cups
• Non-nutritive oral habits: Thumb sucking, pacifiers

2 to 12 years old
 

Ah, the little ones are growing up. Teeth are coming in at all sorts of crazy angles, and you’re going crazy from the rise in obligations. Here’s a quick list of what to consider during this time frame:

• Preventative dentistry: Pit and fissure sealants can do wonders for keeping your child’s dental bills down, and their teeth in their head until they’re ready to fall out naturally. Ask us about them. They’re affordable AND useful. And, super-fast, you’ll be in and out in no time.
• Orthodontic Consultation: Visiting an orthodontist for an early consultation is best done around your child’s seventh birthday. With today’s technology, early intervention can reduce the cost and duration of braces when your child gets older. 

The Teen Years
 

The years “everything” happens! As children start to come into their own, new habits and desires begin to unfold as well. You’ll have to address every imaginable concern during these years, from piercings, to calls for whitening, braces, and the need to refer yourself away from your pediatric dentist and to a general dentist for continuing oral care. So, speak with us about: 

• Cosmetic Dentistry: What solutions are advisable now, and what things should be avoided.
• Teen social pressures: Smoking, alcohol, intraoral/perioral piercings and the like. Believe it or not, we can help a lot with this. Does your teen have a favorite Dental Pointe hygienist? We might be able to arrange for that person to help when your teen comes in so they can address these concerns with an intermediary they trust. Give us a call at 630 333 9571 to see how we can help!
• Orthodontics: Options for minimizing appearance and health problems later in life.
• Home hygiene tips: Brushing, flossing, choosing the right mouthwash.
• Craniofacial injury prevention: With your children’s possible participation in sports, you’ll want to get them a mouthguard. Hands down it’ll be one of your best investments in a healthy mouth. And we make great ones at Dental Pointe!

Staying on top of your child’s oral health isn’t as hard as you think, and if you keep this schedule handy, you’ll be ahead of most of your neighbor's kids when it comes to a healthy mouth and body. Come to think of it … why not share it with them as well? They’ll thank you for the help.