Frequently Asked Questions

What insurance do you accept?

We accept all dental insurances. We utilize the out of network benefits allowing us to provide individual care to each of our patients.

What does it mean to be out-of-network? Will insurance cover my visit?

Being “out of network” means we are not contracted with a dental insurance company. When a dental provider is contracted with a dental insurance company the insurance company likes to dictate standard of care.. The insurance company is not providing the patient care, hence, giving them control of fees paid the dental care provider does not know the patient nor their dental needs, therefore, Insurance companies will cover a portion of the cost at any office. The amount covered varies per individual dental benefits. Once the annual deductible is maxed, the patient is responsible for the remaining cost. Most annual allowable allowance is approximately $1000 give or take per year depending on your individual insurance policy.

What is a dental membership?

Our dental membership is a membership offered to those who do not have dental insurance coverage.

Does whitening my teeth damage my enamel?

Whitening teeth is using hydrogen peroxide going through the enamel to the dentin. The dentin is brightened and can hold the brightness for months. The enamel is not damaged in this process. Sensitivity can occur since the hydrogen peroxide goes through the enamel tubules which can leave them open. We recommend brushing with Sensodyne after each whitening session.

Why do dentists/hygienists bring up dental issues that are not causing me pain?

Pathologies can exist without any signs or symptoms. This is health related (mouth and body). Similarly, one can have car or house issues without any signs until it comes to a head. Many times we hear from a patient “if it is not broken don’t fix it”. To the patient it is not broken because they are not experiencing signs or symptoms. To health care providers, it is broken and we want to be proactive in treating things on the early side (taking preventive measures) prior to the situation turning into a long term, possibly painful, and/or higher financial commitment for the patient.

What are the common signs of periodontal disease?

Common signs of Periodontal Disease evident to the patient are: swollen or puffy gums, gums that feel tender to the touch, bleeding gums, bright red, dusky red or purplish colored gums, loose teeth, receding gums, tender gums, tooth loss, bad breath, pus between your teeth and gums, new spaced developing between your teeth, a change in the way your teeth come together. There are other signs only a dentist can see (bone loss; pocketing greater than 3mm etc.) which is why it is important to see a dentist on a regular basis. Prevention is the best cure.

How is gum disease linked to cardiovascular disease?

There are many types of bacteria thriving in the mouth; healthy and unhealthy. The unhealthy bacteria are present in overflow when the mouth is not healthy. These unhealthy bacteria travel through the body creating links to cardiovascular disease (as well as other diseases: certain cancers, Ahlzeimers, Rheumatoid Arthritis just to name a few). The link between gum disease and heart disease is due to the inflammation in the gums and bacteria may eventually lead to narrowing of important arteries causing heart attacks and strokes. Oral health is the gateway to overall health!

What are the consequences of missing teeth?

The mouth is a very important part of your body. It is the gateway to the overall health of your body. One important component of your mouth is your teeth. Teeth have three primary functions; they allow us to smile, talk and eat. Our teeth are the guardians in our first wall of defense in the protection of our overall well being. Missing teeth can affect jaw function, create malocclusion and affect our day-to-day diet. When teeth are missing this creates gaps allowing neighboring teeth to drift affecting bite alignment, irregular teeth wear and jaw stress. Missing teeth also affect the health of the periodontal tissues. Drifting teeth can make it harder to clean out food debris that gets caught between teeth allowing bacteria to fester and eat away at your tooth’s vital enamel leading to gum disease, cavities and more tooth loss.

Can the procedure be performed in the dentist office near me or do I need to go to a special location? Do you provide all dental procedures?

Each dental office varies in the services their office provides. We here at Blue Heron Dentistry trust, value and utilize the services of our specialists. Specialists have an additional three to four years of training over a general dentist in the specialty they provide for their patients. It is our philosophy and it is important to us that our patients attain the best care possible for their needs and we feel the best care for our patients needs is provided by those with the extra education and training.

How do I choose a dentist?

The first question to ask is “what exactly are you looking for in a dentist”? Other questions to consider: is excellent oral health important to you? Do you understand the link between the health of your mouth and the health of your body? If so, is this important to you? Is the expense for the health of your mouth a concern? What is a higher priority: quality or cost? Do you need to be in and out of the chair in a hurry? There are so many things to consider when it comes to choosing a dentist. Once you decide on what is important to you then it is time to research. Things to consider when interviewing an office: how much time is scheduled for the initial new patient exam; this can determine the quality of your care as the relationship. Dental offices that utilize the out-of-network insurance benefits care about the patient’s individual health not what the insurance company dictates. When it comes to the oral systemic link, asking the whole health questions and how those questions are answered will be key. After the research has been done and you’re satisfied with your answers and the important questions have been asked this should give you guidance on what you’re looking for when it comes to choosing a dentist. Interviewing offices will then help you in the final decision-making process in deciding on your new dental family.