Will Dental Insurance Pay for My Night Guard?

We don’t always understand it either – and by it, I mean your dental insurance policy.

A night guard or occlusal guard is a custom-made appliance that your dentist may recommend when it appears that severe wear due to bruxing and grinding is occurring. While the cost of a night guard is generally ¼ to ½ the fee for a single crown, insurance plans rarely will cover the cost.

“This makes no sense,” says Natalie, the financial coordinator at Hemet Valley Dental Care, your dental office in Hemet California. “We know that by providing patients with night guards we are saving them and the insurance companies money. Teeth that are broken many times have occurred due to bruxing and clenching. The fact that we can reduce the number of broken teeth by the wearing of a simple appliance means savings.”

“The only time we sometimes see insurance companies pay for night guards is when the clenching and bruxing has now impacted the tooth’s stability – this means the periodontal ligament is now impacted.”

While it would be nice if dental insurance companies paid for custom night guards, know that as a patient you will still be ahead of the financial game if you pay in full for your appliance.

“One less crowned tooth more than covers the cost,” adds Natalie. “And it also means better dentistry for you, the patient.”

Insurance & Prevention

For years dentists have promoted oral health through prevention. They knew something: "Regular visits to your dentist is more affordable and gives you a better result," says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley California Cosmetic dental practice. The math is easy, visits even four times a year with exams and x-rays is still significantly less costly than if you have one tooth that needs repair with a root canal and crown - and it's better. 

"When we see patients on a regular basis, we can catch what decay we find when it's small. This allows us restorative options that are also small - a filling," Dr. Ko adds. 

And dental insurance companies have figured this out. Many plans now provide an incentive to patients who are coming in for regular maintenance. "It just makes sense. It also saves them money," Dr. Ko says. 

So don't wait another moment and lose out. Call today and schedule an appointment with your hygienist - both you and your pocketbook will be pleased you did!

Use It Or Lose It!

It's that time of year again. The holidays are around the corner and there is so much to do - including, perhaps, a visit to your dentist.

"Many patients are fortunate to have dental insurance to help them with their dental costs," Dr. Judith Ko says from her Family and Cosmetic Dental Practice in Hemet, California. "What some don't realize is their benefits have an expiration date," she adds.

For PPO dental plans there is a yearly maximum benefit, if that money is not used it does not rollover to be used the following year, it's lost. If you are unsure what type of dental insurance coverage you have, please contact your dental office and they can help.

"At Hemet Valley Dental Care we routinely contact insurance companies on behalf of our patients," Dr. Ko says. "Dental insurance is often confusing and we want to make sure that our patients receive the most from their benefits." Most dental plan maximum benefits run out at the end of the year. That's why it becomes so crazy trying to get in to see your dentist at the last moment.

Now is the time to call to make your appointment. And if you are looking for a new dentist and live in the Hemet area, check out what our patients have to say about us.

Use It Or Lose It

Are you paying for your Dental Insurance?


Have you been in to see your dentist this year?

Are you wasting your money?

These are all questions you should ask yourself. If you are paying towards your dental insurance and have not yet been to see your dentist, you are throwing your money away. Most insurance plans have yearly allowances. It may be $1500.00 It may be $3000.00. This is all money that could be going towards your smile, health and overall dental needs!

The year is quickly coming to an end. Come December 31st, 2013 your insurance benefits will be expired!  That means that the dental insurance company you are paying gets to keep that $1500.00 to $3000.00 dollar a year benefit at the expense of your bank account and most importantly your health and well being.

Please do your smile a favor and start taking advantage of your benefits before it's too late. Give Dr.Ko a call today! We look forward to hearing from you.

 Hemet Valley Dental Care would like to take care of your dental needs. We are changing the world one smile at a time!