Frequently Asked Questions About Our Dental Clinic

Dental insurance coverage for implants varies depending on the specific plan. Some plans may offer partial coverage for implant placement surgery, while others may not cover it at all. Here are some things to consider:

• Major vs. Minor Procedures: Some plans may differentiate between major and minor procedures. Implants are typically considered major procedures and may have less coverage or higher out-of-pocket costs.
• Annual Maximums: Dental insurance plans often have annual maximums, which is the total amount the insurance company will pay for covered services in a year. Implants can be expensive, so they may reach or exceed your annual maximum.

Contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about your specific plan’s coverage for dental implants.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• We can assist you in understanding your plan’s details and potential out-of-pocket costs associated with implants.
• We can discuss alternative payment options, if applicable.
• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to explore your implant options and discuss financing possibilities.

Similar to implants, dental insurance coverage for veneers depends on the specific plan. Veneers are typically considered cosmetic dentistry, and many plans exclude coverage for purely cosmetic procedures.

• Check your insurance plan details to see if it covers any cosmetic dentistry procedures.
• Veneers can sometimes be used for reasons beyond just aesthetics, such as repairing chipped teeth. If there’s a functional reason for veneers, your insurance may offer some coverage.
• The best way to determine if your insurance covers veneers is to contact your insurance provider directly.
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Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• We can check your insurance plan details to see if it covers any cosmetic dentistry procedures.

• Veneers can sometimes be used for reasons beyond just aesthetics. We can discuss your individual needs and explore all options, including insurance coverage.

• Above Dental Clinic offers a variety of cosmetic dentistry services, including veneers. We can help you achieve a beautiful smile you deserve.

Maintaining good dental health is crucial for your overall well-being for several reasons:

• Prevents Oral Diseases: Poor dental hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. These can cause pain, discomfort, and even tooth loss.
• Impacts Overall Health: Oral health is linked to overall health. Untreated oral infections can spread to other parts of the body, potentially affecting your heart, lungs, and even your pregnancy outcomes.
• Boosts Confidence: A healthy smile can boost your confidence and self-esteem. Conversely, dental problems can make you feel self-conscious and affect your social interactions.
• Improves Quality of Life: Good oral health allows you to eat, speak, and smile comfortably. Neglecting your teeth can lead to pain, difficulty chewing, and speech problems, impacting your quality of life.

Dental hygiene refers to the daily practices you do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here’s why it’s important:

• Removes Plaque and Bacteria: Brushing and flossing regularly removes plaque, a sticky film that forms on your teeth and harbors bacteria. This helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Freshens Breath: Regular brushing and flossing can help eliminate bad breath caused by food particles and bacteria buildup.
• Maintains Gum Health: Healthy gums provide support for your teeth. Good dental hygiene prevents gum inflammation (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontitis), which can lead to tooth loss.
• Sets the Stage for Good Oral Health: Consistent dental hygiene practices at home are the foundation of good oral health. Regular dental checkups and cleanings complement your home care routine for optimal oral health.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Our dental hygienists can provide personalized instruction on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

• We offer professional cleanings to remove plaque and tartar buildup that brushing and flossing alone can’t reach.

• Above Dental Clinic can help you establish a consistent dental hygiene routine for a healthy smile.

Dental implants are one of the most advanced and effective tooth replacement options available, but they also come with a higher price tag compared to other alternatives like bridges or dentures. Here’s a breakdown of some factors contributing to the cost:

• Surgical Procedure: Implant placement involves a surgical procedure by a qualified dentist or oral surgeon. This requires specialized training, skill, and equipment.
• Materials: Implants are made from high-quality biocompatible materials, like titanium, that are designed to integrate with your jawbone for long-term stability.
• Multiple Appointments: The implant process typically involves multiple appointments spread over several months. This includes consultation, surgery, placement of an abutment (the connector piece), and finally attaching the artificial tooth (crown).
• Expertise and Technology: Successful implant placement requires expertise and advanced dental technology for precise planning and execution.
• Dental Lab Costs: The artificial tooth (crown) is custom-made in a dental lab to match your surrounding teeth in size, shape, and color.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

While the initial cost may seem high, implants offer a long-lasting, durable solution that can save money in the long run compared to frequently replacing less permanent options.

• We understand that the cost of dental implants can be a concern. We can discuss treatment plans and explore potential financing options to make implants more accessible, if applicable.

• Above Dental Clinic offers various payment options to help you manage the cost of your dental care.

• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your implant options and explore financing possibilities.

Unfortunately, there’s no single answer to “Which Dental Insurance Covers Implants?” Coverage varies greatly depending on your specific plan.

Here’s why it’s difficult to give a definitive answer:

• Plan Type and Coverage: Dental insurance plans come in various types with different coverage levels. Some plans may offer limited or no coverage for major procedures like implants.
• Exclusions: Even if a plan covers major procedures, implants might be excluded under specific clauses in your plan.
• Annual Maximums: Dental plans often have annual maximums, which is the total amount the insurance company will pay for covered services in a year. Implants can be expensive and may reach or exceed your annual maximum.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• The best way to determine if your insurance covers implants is to contact your insurance provider directly. Above Dental Clinic can assist you in understanding your plan details and potential out-of-pocket costs associated with implants.
• We can help you navigate your dental insurance and maximize your coverage benefits.
• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your dental needs and explore all your options, including insurance and financing possibilities.

Coverage for dental services under Medicard varies depending on your specific plan. Here’s a general overview based on publicly available information (it’s always best to confirm with Medicard directly):

• Medicard offers various healthcare plans, some of which may include dental coverage as an optional benefit.
• Plans with dental coverage typically offer benefits for preventive care, such as:
  • Oral prophylaxis (cleaning)
  • Consultations and examinations
• Some plans might extend coverage to limited restorative procedures like simple fillings or extractions.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• For the most accurate information, visit the Medicard website ( https://www.medicardphils.com/ ) or contact them directly to inquire about your specific plan’s dental coverage details.

• We can help you understand if your Medicard plan can be used for basic dental needs like cleanings and examinations.

• Above Dental Clinic can also explain any potential out-of-pocket costs associated with your Medicard coverage.

Similar to Medicard, coverage for dental services under Maxicare depends on your specific plan. Here’s a general breakdown based on publicly available information (it’s always best to confirm with Maxicare directly):

• Maxicare offers various healthcare plans, with some offering dental coverage as an optional add-on.
• Plans with dental coverage typically offer benefits for preventive care, such as:
  • Annual oral examination and consultation
  • Annual oral prophylaxis (cleaning)
• Some Maxicare plans, particularly those with optional dental riders, might cover additional services like:
  • Simple tooth extractions
  • Restorative procedures (limited coverage)

Here’s what Above Dental Clinic can recommend in the FAQ:

• Visit the Maxicare website or contact them directly to inquire about your specific plan’s dental coverage details.
• Above Dental Clinic can work with you to understand if your Maxicare plan can be used for your dental needs and explain any potential out-of-pocket costs.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Visit the Maxicare website( https://www.maxicare.com.ph/ )  or contact them directly to inquire about your specific plan’s dental coverage details.
• We can assist you in understanding if your Maxicare plan can be used for preventive care and potentially some restorative procedures.
• Above Dental Clinic can explain any potential out-of-pocket costs associated with your Maxicare coverage and discuss alternative payment options, if applicable.

Dental implants are a remarkable innovation in tooth replacement. Here’s a simplified explanation of how they work:

• Placement Surgery: During a surgical procedure, a biocompatible titanium screw (implant) is inserted into your jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth.
• Osseointegration: Over a period of several months, the jawbone heals and fuses with the implant in a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong, stable foundation for the artificial tooth.
• Abutment Placement: Once osseointegration is complete, a small connector piece called an abutment is attached to the implant. This serves as a bridge between the implant and the artificial tooth.
• Artificial Tooth (Crown): A custom-made artificial tooth (crown) is then securely fastened onto the abutment, creating a natural-looking and functional replacement tooth.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Dental implants offer a long-lasting solution that can improve your smile, speech, and chewing ability. We can perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if implants are the right option for your needs.

• Above Dental Clinic can guide you through the entire implant process, from consultation and planning to surgery and aftercare.

• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your tooth replacement options and explore the benefits of dental implants.

Regular dental cleanings can help remove surface stains from your teeth, making them appear brighter. However, professional cleanings typically don’t achieve dramatic whitening results.

Here’s why:

• Focus on Cleaning: Dental cleanings primarily focus on removing plaque, tartar (calculus), and bacteria buildup to prevent cavities and gum disease. While some stain removal may occur, whitening isn’t the primary goal.
• Types of Stains: Dental cleanings are most effective for removing surface stains caused by food and beverages like coffee, tea, or wine. Deeper stains caused by medication, genetics, or aging may not respond as well to cleanings.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• If you’re interested in whitening your teeth beyond what a cleaning can achieve, Above Dental Clinic can discuss various teeth whitening options available.
• We offer professional in-office whitening treatments that can dramatically brighten your smile.
• Above Dental Clinic can also provide you with take-home whitening kits for a convenient whitening option at home.
• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your teeth whitening goals and explore the best options for you.

No, dental floss cannot remove tartar (dental calculus). Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that brushing and flossing can’t remove. Here’s why:

• Plaque vs. Tartar: Plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth from bacteria. Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque. However, if plaque isn’t removed, it can harden over time and mineralize, becoming tartar.
• Floss vs. Scaler: Dental floss is a soft string designed to remove plaque and food particles between teeth. Tartar is much harder and requires a scaler, a specialized instrument used by dentists or hygienists during professional cleanings to remove it.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Regular dental cleanings, typically recommended every 6 months, are essential for removing tartar buildup and maintaining good oral health.
• Above Dental Clinic can emphasize the importance of consistent flossing alongside brushing to prevent plaque buildup and reduce the need for frequent tartar removal procedures.
• We recommend scheduling regular checkups and cleanings to ensure timely removal of tartar and prevent potential dental problems.

Yes, dental fillings can decay over time. Here’s why:

• Material Breakdown: Fillings are made from various materials, and some can wear down or chip over time, especially with wear and tear from chewing.
• Secondary Decay: If the seal around a filling breaks down due to wear or improper flossing, bacteria can seep in and cause new decay around the filling.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Proper oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing twice daily, are crucial to maintaining the longevity of your fillings.
• Regular dental checkups allow dentists to identify any potential problems with fillings early on and address them before they become more serious.
• Above Dental Clinic can recommend appropriate flossing techniques and advise on maintaining good oral hygiene to protect your fillings.
• We offer comprehensive dental examinations to identify any issues with fillings and recommend appropriate treatment options, if necessary.

Dental implant surgery typically involves some discomfort, but modern anesthetics and pain management techniques minimize any pain you might experience. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• During Surgery: Local anesthesia effectively numbs the area where the implant is placed, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the surgery itself. You may feel some pressure or pushing during the procedure.
• After Surgery: Some soreness, discomfort, and swelling are common after implant surgery. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or medication prescribed by your dentist.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• Above Dental Clinic will discuss pain management options with you before, during, and after your implant procedure to ensure your comfort throughout the process.
• We use advanced techniques and gentle surgical approaches to minimize discomfort during and after implant placement.
• Our team can provide specific instructions on post-operative care to help minimize discomfort and promote healing.
• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your concerns about pain management during dental implant surgery.

Dental implants are generally considered a safe and effective tooth replacement option with a high success rate. Here’s why:

• Biocompatible Materials: Implants are made from biocompatible materials like titanium that are well-tolerated by the body and have a low risk of rejection.
• Advanced Techniques: Modern dental implant techniques and surgical expertise contribute to the safety and success of the procedure.
• Importance of Good Oral Health: Maintaining good oral hygiene after implant placement is crucial for long-term success and reducing the risk of implant failure or infection.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• While dental implants are safe, as with any medical procedure, there can be risks involved. Above Dental Clinic will discuss these potential risks with you during a consultation and answer any questions you may have.

• Our experienced dentists use advanced techniques and prioritize patient safety throughout the implant process.

• Above Dental Clinic can provide comprehensive instructions on proper implant care to optimize the success and longevity of your implants.

• We recommend scheduling regular dental checkups to monitor your implants and ensure optimal oral health.

Dental implants are designed to be a long-term, durable solution for tooth replacement, but they aren’t guaranteed to last forever. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

• High Success Rate: Studies report a high success rate for dental implants, with over 90% success rates over a 10-year period.
• Factors Affecting Longevity: Several factors can impact the lifespan of dental implants, including:
  • Oral hygiene practices: Proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health around the implant and preventing gum disease, which can affect implant stability.
  • Underlying health conditions: Certain medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes, can increase the risk of implant failure.
  • Habits: Habits like smoking or teeth grinding can put additional stress on implants and shorten their lifespan.
• Maintenance and Care: Regular dental checkups and proper care at home are crucial for ensuring the long-term success of your implants.

Above Dental Clinic Can Help:

• With good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and avoiding certain habits, dental implants can last for many years, potentially even a lifetime for some patients.
• Above Dental Clinic can provide personalized guidance on proper implant care and oral hygiene practices to optimize the longevity of your implants.
• We offer comprehensive dental cleanings and regular checkups to monitor your implants and address any potential concerns early on.
• Schedule a consultation with Above Dental Clinic to discuss your implant options and create a personalized care plan to ensure the long-term success of your dental implants.