use dental benefits by January 1

Do your holiday plans include a trip to the dentist? They should. Most insurance companies give you a certain amount to spend on dental care each year. However, you could be missing out on these dental benefits if you don’t see your dentist at least twice a year for preventive care.

Scheduling your appointment near the end of the year is the perfect way to make sure you take full advantage of your dental benefits.

Reasons to Use Dental Benefits

Use It or Lose It

Most insurance companies give you an annual amount to spend on dental care. If you don’t use your benefits, they’re gone forever.

Year-end visits are the best way to use all of the dental benefits you can. If you’ve been putting off your next appointment because you were afraid of what we might find, schedule your appointment before the end of the year.

Our dentists and the American Dental Association recommend you have a teeth cleaning every six months. A teeth cleaning and oral examination allows us to monitor your health. Since your policy most likely covers the full cost of preventive dentistry, there’s no reason not to use your benefits as much as you can.

That Annual Deductible

You’ve probably already met your annual deductible, so why not finish up your dental work this year?

Your deductible is how much you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance company starts to cover expenses. If you’ve already met your annual deductible, we recommend getting the dental care you need before your policy resets on January 1.

Use Your FSA to Pay

Do you have a flexible spending account (FSA)? Be sure to use the entire balance in your FSA, or you’ll lose that, too.

Unsure what dental services your insurance policy covers? If you’re unsure whether your insurance company covers the treatment you need, call them as soon as possible.

As a provider of cosmetic dentistry, we understand that some of our services may not be covered by dental insurance plans. For example, your insurance company may consider porcelain veneers or teeth whitening to be an elective procedure. While insurance may not cover certain elective procedures, you may still be able to use your FSA.

Don’t Wait Until It Hurts

The longer you ignore a toothache, the more likely you’ll need emergency dental care.

While our dentists do everything to save a tooth, your chances of avoiding serious complications are better if you see us right away. For example, an abscess tooth can be treated with an emergency root canal if caught in time.

Dental problems only worsen and become more expensive over time. Don’t put it off. Get your dental treatment done sooner rather than later and you could save a lot of money.

What Are You Waiting For?

Holiday appointment times fill up fast, so call today to schedule! Whether you’re interested in a professional teeth whitening before visiting in-laws or you want to resolve a toothache so you can fully enjoy that Thanksgiving turkey, you can trust our dentists for excellent patient care.

The last thing you want is to have a dental emergency while traveling for the holidays. If you have any tooth, gum, or jaw pain, call our dental practice as soon as possible to set up your appointment. We offer comprehensive dental services to quickly diagnose and treat the issue.

Our team at MI Smiles Dental is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy smile. With four practices in West Michigan, we have the capability of handling all of your family’s dental needs. To schedule an appointment, call MI Smiles Dental at (616) 974-4990.