3 Ways to Beautify Your Smile Now and Save

With only a few months left in 2022, have you considered seeing your dentist for a checkup or treatment? Taking care of your teeth and gums can have lasting effects on total body wellness, so not only will it positively impact your health now, but it will keep you looking and feeling better year-round. If you’re interested in taking advantage of the time you have left this year to beautify your smile, here are three ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits so you can save more.

Preventive Care Keeps Costs Low

There is a reason preventive care is viewed as the cornerstone of any good dental practice. Not only does it minimize the potential for worsening symptoms and more complex restorative care in the future, but it also works to address problems right from the start. This is why most dental insurance companies provide policyholders with 80-100% coverage for these services.

As the patient, your decision to pursue preventive services is like receiving a reward from your insurance company. Because they believe in the importance of regular checkups and cleanings, you pay little to nothing out of pocket while also improving your oral and overall health.

Choosing a PPO Dentist Makes a Difference

When enrolled with a PPO dental plan, you will notice that when compared to an out-of-network dentist, you save much more when choosing someone who is in-network with your dental insurance company. The reason is that these professionals enter into a contract with the insurance company and pre-negotiate fees and services to help keep costs as low as possible for patients like yourself. If you opt for an out-of-network dentist, you can expect to pay the difference between the usual fee and that of the insurance company, which ultimately leads to higher out-of-pocket expenses.

Your Benefits Expire at the End of the Year

While not all plans are designed the same way, a majority are set up so that benefits will expire at the end of the calendar year. As a result, any unused funds are returned to the insurance company, and your benefits are renewed on January 1. This means that you must start anew to meet your deductible, and your annual maximum is reset. If you visit the dentist now, you may find out that you’ve already met your deductible for the year but that you need a filling or crown to repair a damaged tooth. If this is the case, it is in your best interest to move forward with the procedure before the end of the year and you are forced to meet your deductible again.

Don’t look at your dental insurance as a go-to only for serious problems. Keeping these three helpful tips in mind will put you on a path to greater savings when seeing your dentist for preventive, restorative, or emergency care.

About the Author
Dr. Warren Hoffman is a dentist in North Sarasota who received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in Baltimore, Maryland. He then went on to complete an externship during his senior year, providing dental services to stationed members of the United States Coast Guard in Honolulu, Hawaii. At Parkway Ridge Dental, he and his team are here to provide helpful tips designed to keep your smile healthy and your wallet full. Contact us at (941) 358-8830 to learn more!