FAQ

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Where are your New Patient Forms?

You can find the forms you need for your first appointment here: https://quintondentist.com/forms/

Why did my insurance not pay for the treatments I had done?

Dental insurance is not really insurance; it is a benefit that your employer has given you to assist in paying for dental treatment. Most plans will only cover preventive procedures at 100%. Other procedures are covered at 30 to 80% or not at all. There is also a yearly maximum that most plans will pay. The amount of coverage that you have is determined by the amount of premium that is paid to your carrier. The more money paid, the better the coverage. Dental insurance follows the old saying, “You get what you pay for”.

Why does my insurance carrier say fees are above the “usual, reasonable, and customary”?

The usual, reasonable, and customary (UCR) stated by your insurance carrier is a number made up by the insurance companies. Insurance companies will not divulge their methodology on how they arrived at UCR, so no one can dispute their numbers. It is assumed that this number has no basis in fact.

Will bleaching harm my teeth?

All the research to date has shown no harm to the teeth if bleaching is performed correctly. Bleaching on young children is not recommended without first identifying the size and closeness to the surface of their pulp chambers.

Why should I get a root canal on my tooth? People say they hurt and you will lose the tooth anyway.

Endodontics (Root Canal) is a procedure performed many times every day. The modern, up-to-date technique produces very little sensation, if any at all, and allows you to keep your teeth. Loss of even one tooth can start a cascading effect in your mouth leading to loss of even more teeth. Teeth are not only important for esthetics and chewing, but Mao Clinic research has shown that a person with their teeth live an average of six years longer than someone without their teeth. Root canals are over 90% successful. The reason most people lose a root canal tooth is because a crown (cap) is not placed on the tooth after a root canal. These teeth are more brittle and need protection from breakage. The root canal did not fail, the tooth structure failed because a crown was not placed on the tooth.

Why can I find such a wide difference in costs for a crown (cap) when they’re all the same?

All crowns are not the same. There are many different metals and porcelains that can be placed on crowns, each one requiring a different preparation and laboratory materials and skill. A crown can have a metal substructure of base or non-precious metal all the way up to a very high gold content. The higher the gold content, the better the anti plaque qualities, the greater the cost. Porcelains are also different. There are high fusing and low fusing porcelains. If you place a very hard porcelain against a natural tooth, there is no give in the porcelain and the natural tooth will wear excessively or fracture. All of these factors should be taken into consideration when a crown is being placed on your tooth.

Why should I spend money on my back teeth since no one sees them?

Your back teeth are your most important teeth. You use them to chew and to support your front teeth. Your front teeth will usually not last your lifetime without your back teeth. Your back teeth can survive without your front teeth.

What is your Privacy Policy?

Please visit our Privacy Policy page.

What if my question is not included in the FAQ?

Please contact our office, and we’ll be happy to help!