All the fall decorations are up now, and the more ambitious of us are already getting our Christmas decorations out of the attic! It can’t hurt to plan ahead, which brings us to today’s topic. Have you planned out your dental appointments for the rest of the year? If you have dental insurance, chances are your benefits will not roll over to 2019. If you haven’t used your benefits, then call The Smile Center at 843-492-5026 for (Georgetown) or 843-491-5353 for (Murrells Inlet) now. You’ve been paying for your insurance all year, so don’t let it go to waste!

Let’s take a look at some common ways you can use your benefits at our Murrells Inlet, SC dentist office or Georgetown, SC dentist office. Both locations accept many plans for your convenience.

Routine Checkups: Keep Teeth & Gums Healthy

Aside from your regular tooth brushing and flossing at home, there is no better way to keep your mouth healthy than regular checkups . That’s why most insurance plans cover checkups entirely. This includes dental cleanings and dental exams.

These preventive dental treatments will keep tartar at bay. By removing tartar buildup, you’ll reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. By reducing your risk of these problems, you’ll reduce the chances that you’ll need fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, and more. Essentially, you’ll save money in the long run.

X-rays are often covered too. Depending on your situation, we’ll take digital X-rays at each exam or once a year. These let us see things we can’t with the naked eye, like small cavities, tooth roots, and more.

At your checkup, we might recommend preventive treatments like sealants and fluoride. If you have kids, chances are we’ll apply fluoride regularly. Kids are prone to tooth decay, and both of these fast treatments protect tooth enamel from bacteria that causes that decay. Check your plan, but it’s likely these will be covered in full.

Restorations: Keep Teeth Strong & Functional

If you have any of the following problems, a restoration could repair your smile:

  • Cracked teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Decayed teeth
  • Chipped teeth
  • Infected teeth

These problems should be taken care of as soon as possible, as they could lead to worse damage and possibly tooth extraction. Insurance will often pay a portion of crowns and sometimes up to 100 percent for tooth fillings. A crown can take two appointments, so be sure to call now and get your treatment scheduled before year’s end. We offer many materials to cater to your preferences and budget.

Though not necessarily considered a restoration, gum disease treatment restores your gums to good health. Insurance often covers part of periodontal therapy, so if you have bleeding or tender gums, come in to see us soon.

Teeth Replacements: Keep a Full Smile

If you’ve had missing teeth for some time now, have recently gotten one knocked out, or have been told you need one removed, now’s the time to call and get it replaced. Tooth replacement coverage varies depending on your plan. Most options are covered partially, such as bridges and dentures. Implants can be an exception, however. You may have to pay out of pocket for dental implant placement, but you might be responsible for only a portion of the implant restoration.

The best way to find out is to call our office or come in and discuss your options and your insurance plan. You might be able to break up your appointments between 2018 and 2019 to get as much coverage as possible for your treatment.

Teeth Extractions: Keep Your Entire Mouth Safe & Pain-Free

Our Murrells Inlet dentists can perform most tooth extractions in-house. This saves you money from visiting a specialist, which means you pay less out of pocket after your insurance coverage. If you need a tooth replacement, we can try to schedule your extraction and replacement appointments for this year, or you may need to come back in a few months for the final new tooth.

Root Canals: Keep Your Teeth!

Like tooth extractions, you likely won’t need a specialist for your root canal. The Smile Center uses modern technology to minimize any discomfort you might feel during your treatment. We want to save your tooth, and this treatment can do just that for you.

Insurance often covers part of the endodontic treatment (the root canal) and the crown that we will likely recommend afterward to restore your tooth. Talk to us about splitting up your appointments for the root canal therapy and crown between 2018 and 2019, when your insurance renews.

Save Your Smile & Your Money – Call Today

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s easy to get busy and forget to make appointments. Don’t let that happen to you. Call 843-492-5026 for (Georgetown) or 843-491-5353 for (Murrells Inlet) today to make appointments for your whole family. We’ll get you in as soon as possible. You can also request visits using our online form.

Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry – you can still get high-quality care at a price you can afford. With our membership plan , you can pay as little as $15 to $25 a month for some of the same benefits as insurance. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about what your insurance won’t cover, pre-authorization, or annual maximum or deductibles.