News You Can Use

Keeping Little Smiles Sparkling Through Halloween

Halloween, in all of its candy-filled glory, starts the season for holiday celebrations that normally include lots of food.  We don't want to discourage anyone from enjoying these occasions and, in fact, have a couple of recommendations to ensure that your little ones teeth are protected through this holiday season.  

The two most common childhood dental problems are tooth decay and periodontal disease, both of which are preventable.  Regular oral check-ups and cleanings are recommended to ensure the future of your child's healthy smile.  Especially around Halloween, it is important to consider the effect of sugary treats on children's teeth.  I have blogged before on the best and worst candy for your teeth. 

A couple ways to help stave off tooth decay may be to inquire about dental sealants and fluoride at your child's next visit.  Dental sealants cover the grooves of your child's molars to protect the hard to reach places and make sure sugars and bacteria cannot get in.  Fluoride supplements can fortify tooth enamel and remineralize teeth.  

Halloween is a fun time to be a kid.  We want all children to enjoy the festivities but we also want to make sure their teeth are protected for Halloweens to come. Regular dental visits, fluoride supplements, and sealants are all great ways to make sure your child's teeth are on the right track!


Source: http://bestdentistnews.com/2014/10/preventive-dentistry/


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

News You Can Use

Sleeping with Dentures Increases Pneumonia Risk

A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that individuals who sleep with their dentures in their mouth are at a higher risk for pneumonia than those who remove dentures before going to sleep. 

Poor oral health is a risk factor for pneumonia in older adults so the authors of this study compared 524 randomly selected seniors and analyzed them in regards to their oral health.  Overall, 453 participants wore dentures and 186 wore them at night.  The results indicated that those who wore dentures at night were at an increased risk for pneumonia.

The higher risk of pneumonia was related to higher risks of cognitive impairment, respiratory disease, and history of strokes.  Those who wore their dentures at night were also more likely to have gum inflammation and denture plaque. 

Denture wearers may want to consider removing dentures at night and soaking them in a denture cleaner or other non-abrasive cleaning solution that is safe for dentures.


Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10697-sleeping-with-dentures-increases-pneumonia-risk


R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd. Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!

News You Can Use

Dental Insurance

So many of our patients are coming in with questions about the changing dental insurance environment and voicing their frustrations with their dental insurance.  The dental insurance environment has changed drastically in the past two years.  Hopefully this information will help answer some questions. 

Medical versus Dental Insurance

Medical insurance is designed to protect you in a worst-case scenario.  You pay a monthly premium but tend to be covered in case something serious comes up, such as an emergency or an unforeseen surgery.  Dental insurance is significantly different.  Instead of having copays and monthly premiums, many dental insurance plans only cover a percentage of certain dental procedures on top of the monthly premiums.  Most plans (although not all plans are this way) cover 100% of preventative care, such as cleanings and x-rays, 80% of basic procedures, such as fillings and root canals, and 50% of major procedures, such as crowns.  Additionally, dental insurance plans tend to have a yearly maximum around $1000 - $2000 that requires the patient to pay the whole amount of procedures done after reaching the yearly maximum. 

Most dental insurance plans cover a percentage of certain dental procedures (that percentage being anywhere from 10% to 100% depending on the procedure and the plan).  That percentage is only covered after the plan’s yearly deductible is met (this usually runs about $50-100 but can be as large as $300-500 for some plans).  Most plans used to cover 100% for preventative treatment; it is now evident that this is no longer the norm.  We are seeing more plans that have dropped their preventative coverage to 80% and their basic coverage to 50%. 

Best Case Scenario

During a good year, you may only need preventative care in the form of cleanings, exams, and x-rays but you will still lose $200 by having dental insurance.  Although these services are typically paid by insurance plans, you would probably still be losing money overall by having the insurance.  For example, two hygiene appointments for the year would amount to about $400 if you paid out of pocket for these services.  The insurance company’s premiums for the year, without needing more than just preventative services, would amount to about $600 alone.

Worst Case Scenario

Now, you might be thinking that insurance may still be worth losing $200 a year if you are covered on the years when you need more than just a check-up.  Unfortunately, that may still be untrue.  Let’s consider a patient who needs two fillings, a root canal, and a crown on top of normal, yearly cleaning appointments.  One would hope that insurance would cover more of those services since you pay about $600 in insurance premiums but the plan also has a yearly maximum of $1000. That means that once you meet the $1000 max, you are stuck paying the rest completely out of pocket.

Although you may receive lower negotiated rates for basic and major services due to insurance, those rates aren’t much lower than the dentist’s normal fee. For example, if the dentist charges $150 for a filling, your insurance company may only have negotiated the rate to $100.  In this case, your exams, cleanings, x-rays, and basic work such as the fillings would most likely utilize your insurance yearly maximum.  That leaves you to pay the $1000-$2000 extra for the crowns and root canals, which is all on top of the $600 in annual premiums.

Waiting to Get Insurance or Services

            It may seem like a good idea to wait to get dental insurance until you really need it but insurance companies have a clause for individuals who do just that.  There is what is called a “waiting” or “probationary” period where they will not cover certain services for the time period after you get the insurance.  Most plans will not cover crowns or any other major work for at least twelve months after getting the insurance and for some plans this also includes basic work like fillings or root canals (which are often needed in emergency situations).   

            Waiting to get the services may not be such a good idea either.  Many of the situations that require a crown or other major work are cases in which it is impossible or possibly detrimental to your overall health to wait.  For example, if a tooth were cracked, crowning it is a way to reduce the pain it is causing, as well as strengthen the tooth to prevent possible future fracture.  If the tooth were to fracture it often times fractures in such a way that the fracture extends up under the bone level where it can no longer be reached and fixed, therefore the tooth has to be extracted and then you are looking at trying to replace that tooth, which could many anything from removable partial dentures to fixed bridges to implants, none of which are inexpensive options.  Insurance companies know that certain services are unavoidable, hence the reason they have the waiting periods to discourage people from getting the insurance only when they need major work.

Closing Thoughts

            Dental insurance is continually changing and not necessarily to the benefit of the patient.  Many individuals have begun to see how having dental insurance may not be beneficial, but instead may cost more money and cause more headaches.  This post is in no way intended to persuade readers to refrain from going to the dentist but is instead to discuss the current field of dental insurance. As always, it is recommended that individuals brush twice a day and floss once as well as engage in other activities that help keep your oral health on track so as to not need the more invasive dental procedures.

We, as providers, often receive complaints about a patient’s dental insurance and the coverage they receive for the dental treatment they need.  While we will try to answer the questions to the best of our ability, sometimes your insurance carrier is the best place to go for an answer.  If you are not happy with the answer you receive from carrier, you should take your questions and concerns to the Human Resources Department of your employer.  Dental insurance plans and their benefits are chosen by the employer.  If the employer does not know of coverage issues, they will not be able to select a plan that better covers the needs of their employees,

Source: Fontinelle, A. (2014). Should you bite on dental insurance. In Investopedia .

R. Eric Emery, DDS

Morgan A. Emery, DDS

Smile Station Dental

2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400

St. Louis, MO 63122

(314)821-7100

smilestationdental.com

Like us on Facebook!