Affordable Dental Care: Tips to Follow When Choosing Dental Insurance

Affordable Dental Care: Tips to Follow When Choosing Dental Insurance

By Mina Levi, DDS, 03/27/2014

Dental insurance can assist you in taking good care of your oral health by covering some, if not all of the financial portion of care.  When choosing a the dental insurance plan that is right for you, you will want to consider quite a few things other than what it will cost you to obtain it. Sometimes, the most affordable dental insurance isn’t the best fit for you. In this article, we discuss a few points that you will want to consider when choosing a dental plan. 

1. The ability to choose your own dentist. Some dental insurance plans will restrict you so that you may only receive care from a dentist that is contracted with that plan or so-called an “in-network dentist”. You are more than welcome to go to an “out-of-network” dentist, but they will not be paying for any of it. If your preferred dentist is not in-network with the most affordable dental care plan, you can either switch dentists or choose a plan that includes your dentist.

2. The ability to schedule appointments. Some dentists that are in-network will limit scheduling times to certain dental insurance participants, so it is important that you make sure that the dental insurance you choose is not limited on your dentist’s schedule.

3. The ability to choose the best treatment. Quite a few dental insurance plans will restrict payment for services to the cheapest treatment for a condition. For example, if your dentist recommends a composite (tooth-colored) filling for a cavity, your insurance may only pay the amount that is allowed for a lower-quality amalgam (metal) filling, so you will pay more out-of-pocket. There may be other treatment choices available that your dental insurance plan will cover a higher percentage of, however, we recommend proceeding with the treatment plan that is most highly recommended by your dentist.

4. The coverage itself. Most high quality dental insurance plans will cover about two professional cleanings and exams per year with no cost to you, which usually includes digital x-rays and fluoride treatment if needed. The cost of other procedures such as fillings orcrowns are usually paid by insurance plans between 50-80% of the total cost up to the annual maximum payout, leaving you with an out-of-pocket expense. The better quality the plan, the more that will be covered. However, if the affordability of the insurance plan is an issue, there are other smaller plans that are good that have slightly lower percentages of coverage.

If you have concerns about what dental insurance plan is right for you, give premier dentist Mina Levi DDS a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: affordable dentistry, affordable dental insurance, dental insurance, dental insurance plans, in-network dentist, contracted dentist, affordable dental plans, out of pocket expenses, dental fees, dental appointments, oral health, professional cleanings and exams, digital x-rays, dental coverage, dental procedures, dental deductibles

What You Need to Know About Wisdom Teeth

What You Need to Know About Wisdom Teeth

By Mina Levi, DDS 03/20/2014

When your wisdom teeth grow in properly, they are just like all of your other teeth and help in the act of chewing. However, most of the time they become impacted or erupt at a strange angle in the mouth, which can cause pain and discomfort. In this article, we discuss wisdom teeth and the necessity of their removal.

What are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth are another name for the third molars, or the third of the larger teeth that are in the very back of the mouth where you chew most of your food. Most people have three (including the wisdom teeth) permanent molars in each quadrant of the mouth, twelve all together. The first molars usually erupt around age six or so, while second molars erupt around the age of twelve. Third molars, or the wisdom teeth, are the last to erupt if they erupt at all. They are called wisdom teeth because they tend to develop later in life, between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one.

Why do wisdom teeth sometimes need to be removed?

Some wisdom teeth may become impacted or prevented from erupting properly, mainly due to the lack of space in the mouth to fit them. Dr. Mina Levi normally recommends extracting impacted wisdom teeth because they can cause many problems, such as infection, decay of neighbor teeth, gum disease, and tumors. Wisdom teeth that do successfully erupt are often times very difficult to reach and keep clean and may become badly decayed and need to be removed. Other times that erupted wisdom teeth need to be removed include when they are nonfunctional, interfering with your bite, involved with or at risk of gum disease, or causing problems with neighbor teeth or dental restorations. Sometimes wisdom teeth areextracted in order to prevent these things from happening.

How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?

Individuals whose wisdom teeth need to be removed may experience a variety of symptoms, such as pain, infection, and swelling of the face or gums. Dr. Mina Levi will determine whether you need your wisdom teeth removed by taking X-rays and examining your mouth. Wisdom teeth that are not removed will be monitored, as they can cause problems later in life. Extraction is usually an outpatient procedure and can be performed either by a dentist like Dr. Mina Levi or an oral surgeon using local sedation or a general anesthetic.

Are there any complications associated with wisdom tooth extractions?

The most common complication associated with wisdom tooth extractions is called a “dry socket”, a painful condition that occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site does not develop properly or is lost prematurely. This blood clot serves as the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop around the extraction site, so dry socket delays the healing process. To prevent dry socket from occurring, do not smoke, consume carbonated beverages, or drink through a straw after a wisdom tooth extraction. Rinsing with salt water can help keep the area clean after an extraction, but excessive spitting or rinsing can be harmful in the healing process. Normally, using a syringe to rinse the area is sufficient. Before your tooth extraction, make sure to tell Dr. Mina Leviand her dental team about any medications you are taking, as they could interfere with the healing process. To avoid complications, follow Dr. Levi’sinstructions regarding eating and drinking, pain management, and keeping the extraction site clean.

Everyone’s mouth and teeth are different, and only a dental professional can determine whether or not your wisdom teeth need to be removed. If you have concerns regarding your wisdom teeth or would like some more information, give Dr. Mina Levi a call at (415) 513-5066 or visit us on the web to schedule an appointment.

Topics: wisdom teeth, wisdom teeth extractions, wisdom teeth eruption, tooth extraction, impacted wisdom teeth, tooth extraction complications, dry socket, jaw pain, tooth pain, gum disease, dental decay, dental restorations, San Francisco dentist, tooth removal

Plaque: What is it and Why do I Need to Worry About it?

Plaque: What is it and why do I need to worry about it?

By Mina Levi, DDS 03/13/2014

We see advertisements daily for oral care products that promise to fight or reduce plaque, and we hear the word “plaque” often when we visit the dentist. Many people know that plaque is referring to the yellowish substance that sticks to the teeth when we don’t brush, but what exactly is plaque and why is it something that we need to fight? In this article, we discuss dental plaque, what it can do to our oral and overall health, as well as the best ways to reduceplaque in the mouth.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a bacteria ridden sticky film-like substance that builds up on teeth. When you eat and drink, the bacteria in the plaque use the sugars from your food and drink to produce acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. If plaque is left on the teeth for a period of time, it can eventually harden and turn into tartar or calculus. Tartar is a “petrified” plaque, and once it is on the teeth you will need the help of the dentist to remove it. There are a few habits that promote plaque build-up that you should avoid:

1. Not brushing. When you do not brush your teeth twice a day, you may feel a difference or you may not notice. Either way, your teeth suffer the consequences of plaque build-up. Brush every surface of your teeth twice per day to avoid plaque build-up and the formation of tartar.

2. Not flossing. Flossing is important because only brushing does not reach in between the teeth, so those surfaces are not being cleaned if you brush but do not floss. This leaves the area open for plaque to accumulate.

3. Not eating enough vegetables and fruits. Certain foods play a role in cleaning teeth and keeping plaque away in addition to brushing and flossing. Crunchy vegetables or fruits with skin on them like apples and cucumbers can help remove plaque from the teeth.

4. Eating too many sweets. The bacteria in plaque live off of the sugar in your food. If you eat foods that are high in sugar, this lets more sugar stick to our teeth that the bacteria eat and turn into acid.

5. Avoiding the dentist. Even if you brush and floss your teeth twice per day, you’ll still miss some plaque and tartar will form if you do not see the dentist regularly at least twice per year. Tartar and calculus will not be able to be removed at home, and you will need the help of a dental professional.

How does dental plaque affect my health?

When the bacteria in the plaque use sugars to produce acid in the mouth, this acid attacks the tooth enamel and causes the enamel to break down, eventually resulting in a cavity in the tooth surface.

The plaque that is not removed and hardens into tartar will collect at the gum line, making it more difficult to floss and brush. As the tartar builds up, gum tissue can become red and swollen and may bleed when brushing the teeth. These symptoms are together called gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease or periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with a good oral hygiene regimen and seeing a dentist, but if it is left untreated then gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum disease, and occurs when the bacterial infection causes the gums and supporting dental tissue to breakdown. This will cause your gums to recede, pulling away from the tooth.

How can we fight plaque?

The most important part of fighting plaque is to see the dentist at least every six months for a professional cleaning and evaluation. The dental professional will be able to see the symptoms of plaque build-up or gingivitis before you can, and can help lead you in the right direction towards healing and prevention. Also, brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day will ensure that plaque removal is continuously maintained. Eating a balanced diet with a lot of fibrous fruits and vegetables will help remove food and help saliva neutralize the plaque-causing acids.

If you have any questions or concerns about plaque build-up or need to establish regular dental care and oral hygiene, visit Premier San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: dental plaque, plaque build-up, what is plaque, tartar, calculus, gum disease, bleeding gums, swollen gums, healthy gums, professional cleaning, oral health, oral hygiene, dentist, dentist San Francisco, San Francisco dental cleanings cavities

Titanium vs Zirconia Implants

Titanium vs Zirconia Dental Implants

Dental implants are a great, and probably the best, option for patients looking to replace a missing tooth. Dental implants are metal or Zirconia anchors, which act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth. For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves one surgical procedure and oftentimes teeth can be placed immediately. The dental implant is a good alternative to full dentures or partial dentures, since it acts like a real tooth. Once a person and their cosmetic dentist have decided that dental implants are the right choice for them, the next big question is which implant to go with, titanium or Zirconia. In this article, we highlight the pros and cons of metal-free Zirconia implants to compare them against traditional titanium implants and give you the cosmetic dentistry knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

Zirconia implants

Pros

•   Great for patients who have metal allergies. Zirconia implants are all ceramic and metal-free, which gives patients the implant option without risking an allergic reaction.
•   More aesthetically pleasing. The Zirconia implants are all-white, which blends better with tooth color and does not leave the dark gray undertones of a metal implant.
• · Integrates better with soft tissues than the titanium implant.

Cons

• · All one piece. The Zirconia implant is one piece whereas the titanium implant is two pieces, so if anything happens to the top, the entire implant must be replaced.
• ·  Slower healing time. Zirconia implants take about 5-6 months to heal in comparison to the 3-4 months that titanium implants take.
• ·  More expensive. The cost of Zirconia dental implants is higher than the titanium implant option.

If you are in need of a dental implant consultation, for example if you are wearing a denture or need to have a tooth replaced, visit premier San Francisco metal free implant dentist D.r Mina Levi DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066. More information regarding either Zirconia implants, titanium implants, the cost of dental implants or cosmetic dentistry is always available on our website.

Topics: San Francisco Implant Dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Zirconia Implant, Dental Implants, Titanium Implant, Cost of Dental Implants, Dentures, Partial Dentures, Missing Tooth, Missing Tooth Replacement, Cosmetic Dentist

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Snoring has always been associated as more of an annoyance rather than a medical concern for most people. However, frequent and loud snoring can be a sign of a disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing stops periodically throughout sleep. Sleep apnea is treatable, but can easily go without being identified or diagnosed. In this article, we discuss symptoms, causes, and treatment of sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder in which breathing periodically pauses for about 10-20 seconds throughout the night and can occur hundreds of times while you sleep. This irregular breathing pattern interrupts your natural sleeping pattern, even if you do not fully “wake up” from the breathing pauses. This causes you to spend more time in a lighter stage of sleep and less time in the deeper stages of sleep such as REM sleep, depriving you of energy and mental acuity. This chronic deep sleep deprivation can cause daytime sleepiness, slowed reflexes and poor concentration. Over time, sleep apnea can cause serious health issues including heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, and occurs when the tissues in the back of your throat relax as you sleep and block the airway. This usually causes loud snoring. Central sleep apnea is much less common and involves the central nervous system. Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles that control breathing and so breathing ceases until other systems notice a decrease in oxygen. People with central sleep apnea do not usually snore, but have longer periods in which they are completely silent and breathing does not occur. Complex sleep apnea is a combination of both obstructive and central sleep apneas.

Sleep apnea symptoms

It is relatively difficult to identify sleep apnea alone, since the most prominent symptoms occur during sleep. A solution is to record yourself during sleep, ask a bed partner to monitor your sleep, or participate in a sleep study at a local hospital. The major symptoms of sleep apnea are as follows:

• Pausing when snoring followed by choking or gasping after the pauses
• Consistent sleepiness throughout the day
• Headaches or dry mouth upon waking up
• Inability to concentrate, including learning and memory issues
• Waking up frequently to urinate
• Mood swings, irritability, or depression

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores during the night. The biggest sign to test if you have sleep apnea or you just snore is how you feel throughout the day. Normal snoring should not interfere with sleeping patterns, so you shouldn’t feel exhausted during the daytime.

Sleep apnea causes and risk factors

Any person can have sleep apnea, but there are certain risk factors that are associated with sleep apnea that put people at a higher risk. You have a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea if you are:

• Overweight
• Male
• Over 65 years old
• A smoker
• Related to someone with sleep apnea

You have a higher risk for central sleep apnea if you are:

• Male
• Over 65 years old

Central sleep apnea is often associated with serious illness such as heart disease, stroke, neurological disorder or brainstem injury.

Treatments for sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a treatable condition and there are multiple treatments that can be done at home such as lifestyle changes or medically. Treatment options include:

• Lose weight. People who are overweight have extra tissue in the back of their throat, which can block the airway.
• Quit smoking. Smoking contributes to sleep apnea by increasing inflammation in the throat and airway.
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives. These drugs will relax the muscles of the throat and can cause difficulty breathing or worsen sleep apnea symptoms.
• Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back where gravity is working against you.
• Use a nasal dilator. Nasal dilators are helpful to open up nasal passages during sleep.
• Medical treatment with CPAP. A Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) is used commonly for moderate to severe sleep apnea. The CPAP device has a mask that provides a constant stream of air that keeps your airway passages open when you sleep.
• Medical treatment with BPAP. Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BPAP) devices are used for those who cannot adapt to using CPAP. This device automatically adjusts pressure while you’re sleeping, providing more on the inhale and less on the exhale.
• Mandibular repositioning or tongue retaining device. These two common oral devices open the airway by bringing the jaw lower or moving the tongue forward during sleep.
• Surgical options. Surgery to increase the size of the airway can reduce sleep apnea episodes.

 

If you suffer from symptoms of sleep apnea or have more questions regarding sleep apnea symptoms or treatment, visit San Francisco Dentist Mina Levi, DDS on the web at www.minalevidds.com or give us a call at (415) 513-5066.

Topics: Sleep apnea, sleep apnea treatments, snoring, sleep apnea symptoms, San Francisco dentist