There’s a lot to think about this time of year. Gift lists. Party invitations. End of year work deadlines.
And whether you have dental insurance left that you need to spend or lose.
This could be especially important now that we’re finally putting COVID in the rearview mirror. During this COVID-19 pandemic, many patients have avoided coming in for their twice-yearly professional exams and cleanings with our team at Implant Dentistry of Florida. This isn’t a good idea for your dental health, as missing these appointments is how dental problems, such as gum disease, get a foothold. We can’t see you, so we can’t diagnose these issues when they are new and easy to reverse.
Plus, if you haven’t been in, you’re probably also leaving dental insurance dollars unused, and these typically don’t rollover into the new year. Here are a couple things to consider before the year end.
About that insurance
If you have dental insurance, it’s quite different from your regular health plan. Most dental plans have a yearly maximum that the company will pay for your dental work within one full year. The average amount is usually $1,000 per year, per person. After you reach that amount, you have to pay for everything. If you have unused benefits, these won’t rollover into next year, so you should take advantage of them before 2020 comes to a close.
Deductible
Deductibles on most dental plans are $50. If you’ve already had something done this year, say the first of your twice-yearly exams and cleanings, you’ve met your deductible. Having something done before the end of the year saves you from paying that $50 again. And $50 is $50, right?
Come on in
So, what should you do with your unused dental insurance dollars? Here are a few ideas:
- Professional cleaning and exam
The easiest way to avoid serious dental problems is to have us professionally clean and examine your overall oral health every six months. When we see you every six months, we can catch problems early before they turn into big issues.
- Replacing an amalgam filling
If you have an old silver amalgam filling that you’d like to replace with composite resin, this is a great way to use up your dental insurance, as well. No one likes having a bunch of silver and mercury in their teeth, and we replace these fillings with composite resin that is virtually invisible when it is in your tooth. It will look as if you don’t have a filling there any longer.
- Teeth whitening
Our Zoom! teeth whitening is awesome. In about one hour, we can whiten your teeth up to eight shades. That’s a great thing to do before your upcoming holiday parties and family get togethers.
- Dental bonding
Our three dentists use composite resin to cover flaws in a tooth or teeth, things such as small chips or deep staining. Dental bonding is a great way to cover up cosmetic imperfections, and it takes just a single appointment to do so.
Need to use your dental insurance before the year ends? Call us at Implant Dentistry of Florida, (321) 372-7700, to make your appointment.