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With the race quickly approaching on Oct. 2nd we have settled on a meeting place. We are going to be meeting on the corner of Chopper Circle and 11th.  Please look for us in the parking lot with this builing in it.  We will be meeting around 7:45 A.M. and the race starts at 8:00 A.M.

With t

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Here is some information taken from the American Dental Association website on why dental radiographs are taken. 

According to the American Dental Association website: 

“Dental X-ray examinations provide valuable information that your dentist could not collect otherwise. With the help of radiographs your dentist can look at what is happening beneath the visible oral tissues. They pose a far smaller risk than many undetected and untreated dental problems.

What are the benefits of a dental radiograph examination?

Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal:

Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings);

Infections in the bone;

Periodontal (gum) disease;

Abscesses or cysts;

Developmental abnormalities;

Some types of tumors

Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. It can detect damage to oral structures not visible during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, radiographs may even help save your life.”

We recommend that our patients receive a minimum radiographic evaluation through a series of six films once a year and a full mouth series every five years to evaluate and anticipate the various problems listed above.  In reviewing some patient records of this practice, it is typical that the patients were not receiving a thorough radiographic evaluation in which some major problems were left undiscovered until it was beyond the point of repair.  We would like to avoid this from happening in your mouth. 

We take radiographs from different angles to evaluate different surfaces of the tooth and surrounding tissue.  Since a radiograph is a two-dimensional picture of a three-dimensional object, multiple angles are needed to give an accurate diagnosis.   

The hygienist may notice significant changing in the level of the bone since the last series of radiographs were completed and evaluate for periodontal disease.  These anatomical areas around the teeth need to be monitored for changes and that is only accomplished through radiographic review.  We would like to see improvement in the bone level and not destruction and loss of bone height.

We are looking out for the best interest in your long-term health and care when we suggest a radiographic evaluation.  We also understand each individuals needs and requirements for their own health objectives are going to be different.  Under the Dental Board regulations of the State of Colorado I am required to do a thorough diagnosis on all patients of the practice, which includes radiographic evaluation at the fore mentioned intervals.  We are not permitted to treat anyone without upholding these standards.

My goal is to prevent an unnecessary treatment before it poses a serious problem or compromises your health in any way.  I appreciate your interest in your oral health and am always happy to educate my patients in any way that I can.  Please feel free to contact me with any other questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. John Montoya 

~

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We should really be using the term dental benefits and not dental insurance. Dental insurance is a plan with a set-spending limit that is renewed every year.  You are paying a monthly premium to receive the benefit of using their services.  Most of the limits that are set by dental insurance companies have not changed since the 1970’s.  The average yearly allowance for most plans is $1,500.00.  This is unlike medical insurance in which the sicker you get the more they pay or auto insurance where the more damage to your car the more they pay. Once you have used the allotted amount set aside for your plan within the year your benefits have finished.  They will no longer pay for your care until the yearly renewal rolls over and your maximum benefit for the year starts over. 

Please know the limitations of your plan by talking with your HR department. Your employer on your behalf has negotiated your plan.  The employer can add and subtract services to make the plan more affordable for the employer and the employee.  Just a few examples of things that could be added or subtracted from your coverage would be orthodontics, implants and occlusal guards.  If you are not happy with the plan that is offered by your employer then you should talk with your HR department to see if there are other options like a health savings account.

Most plans allow you to see any dentist that you want and are not restricted to the ones designated on a list.  Some plans do not give you a choice and you have to see ones that they pick for you.  Whether you get to pick the doctors office or it is picked for you that office is limited by the yearly amount that you are allotted. That fact never changes. Every office is going to maximize the insurance benefits that you signed up for.  All insurances are going to cover a portion of your dental treatment that is allowed by the plan.  Unfortunately, dental insurance is not going to cover all of your needs in a given year if your treatment involves any significant work and most of the cost if going to be out of pocket.

Think of insurance as a gift card and if you don’t use it by the end of the year it goes away.  Please make sure that you are using your dental benefits because you are paying for them and they do not roll over from year to year.  Get your treatment completed because it will help with the investment of your health.  You should talk with your treating dental office and see what is available to make treatment affordable.  You may be able to spread treatment out over months or years.  They may have payment plans or relationships with outside financing companies.  They may offer cash discounts for services paid upfront or in advance.

We are here to help make health care affordable for all of our patients and we will work with you to find a solution.  We will maximize your benefits for you and help you know the limitations of your plan.  Please call our office if you have any questions and start scheduling your appointments before the end of the year if you have unused benefits that will exp

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We have a colleague that made a service trip to provide dental care in India this summer.  Our office was fortunate enough to supply some instruments for the cause.  It is always wonderful when someone can give back in our profession and we are so proud of Shawna and her team for their service.  We look forward to hearing all the wonderful stories and experiences that she had.  Here is the thank you letter that she sent out to everyone that contributed.

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We eat with them!  Most of the time when people retire they tend to get together with their friends and social circles that end up revolving around food.  Let’s do coffee.  How about happy hour? Brunch anyone?

You want your teeth to be functional and healthy for a lifetime.  Unfortunately most people don’t plan for their dental health when they retire.  Most of the time when we are getting older we add medications to our regimen.  Some medications change the condition of our mouths and leave us more susceptible to gum disease.  People with gum disease should be seeing their dentist a minimum of three times a year if they have great home care and the majority would be seeing their dentist four times a year.

The other factor that people don’t account for is the aging fillings that are in their mouths.  Some people have very old and large silver fillings that eventually break the tooth and would require crowns.  Schedule a consultation with your dentist a few years before you are going to retire and come up with a plan to restore your mouth to a healthy and functioning state over time.  This can be done by addressing all your needs at once or a little at a time.  This way when you retire you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you will most like avoiding a broken tooth while you are out with your friends having an everything bagel and cup of coffee.

You can work towards a goal of having all your final treatment done before you retire to spread the investment out along the way.  You will also have an oral health plan to keep your teeth and gums healthy and free from disease.  Call your dentist today and set up your consultation.