What Can You Do if You Don’t Have Dental Insurance?

July 28, 2020

Filed under: Blog,Insurance and Financial Information — southlakedental @ 6:23 pm

Dental insurance is a benefit provided by some employers, but not all. Even when dental insurance is offered, people choose not to partake in the company plan. 

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, two-thirds or 164.2 million Americans have private dental coverage. Most of those are through employer benefits or programs such as AARP. But that leaves two-thirds of people without dental benefits. And here in the southeast, dental coverage is lower than the national average. 

We know that needing dental care without having dental insurance can be scary. People without dental insurance are often likely to skip routine cleanings due to the cost — but that leads to more expensive procedures later. 

You might be nervous about finding a Fort Mill dentist office that accepts patients without insurance, but Southlake Family Dentistry is here to help! You don’t have to be covered by dental insurance to be a patient here at Southlake. We have several financing options, so let’s go over them.

CareCredit

One way to cover dental work costs without having dental insurance is to use CareCredit, a service we are pleased to accept. CareCredit is a credit card that offers individual financing options and helps you pay off dental services over time, usually interest-free for a period of time. This is a wonderful option if you need expensive dental work but don’t have dental insurance. Read more about CareCredit here and decide if it would be the right choice for you. 

Prosper Healthcare Lending

Prosper is the premier financing company in the healthcare industry. We recommend this route if you would like to take out a loan to pay for multiple dental projects. Prosper Healthcare Lending offers benefits such as longer terms for lower monthly payments, no collateral required, having a fast and easy loan inquiry process, and much more! Many of our patients have been pleased with their service. Read more about Prosper Healthcare Lending. 

Cash, Check, or Credit Card 

Finally, you can pay for dental work on your own. In this situation, you will be paying the full price of services by check, credit card, or cash and won’t be using an insurance co-pay. This option works well for regular cleanings and smaller dental procedures. We are happy to inform you in advance about costs so you can plan accordingly. Call our office today to discuss out-of-pocket pricing for our Fort Mill dental services. 

Now that we have broken down the available options for financing dental work without insurance, we hope you feel more informed and less overwhelmed. Sure, having dental insurance is helpful, but don’t think you can’t be a part of the Southlake Family without it. If you have questions about the payment options, please call us today. 

Which Teeth Whitening Option Will Work for Me?

July 22, 2020

Filed under: Blog,General — Tags: , , , , — southlakedental @ 4:31 pm

Teeth whitening is a popular dental procedure here in Fort Mill and beyond. Most people want their teeth to appear white and bright. Studies show that people feel more confident when they have white teeth. You may feel compelled to whiten your teeth for professional interactions. 

Even with perfect at-home brushing and flossing, your teeth can become yellowish or stained due to medications, age, food and drink, and tobacco use. No matter the cause, there is a solution for whiter teeth. However, there are so many options both over-the-counter and through your dentist. How do you know which ones actually work? 

Don’t get stuck with teeth whitening gimmicks. There are tons of teeth whitening options, and here is what to know about them: 

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are easy to find over-the-counter at drug and retail stores, and they are relatively cheap. The strips are also reasonably easy to use. The strips come in sections for your top and bottom teeth, and you place and adapt them on. After waiting for the directed amount of time, you can take them off and rinse your mouth. When used over time, at-home whitening strips will make your teeth somewhat whiter. However, the results take time, and you’ll only get a few shades of whitening. Many people also struggle with the strips because the gel doesn’t taste good and can cause teeth or gum sensitivity. Also, user error prevents from achieving desirable results. Sitting there with strips on may feel uncomfortable. 

Keep in mind, tooth whitening products sold at stores do not require approval from the Food and Drug Administration because they are considered cosmetic. Only one type of whitening strip has a seal of approval from the American Dental Association. 

Please note that most whitening products are not suitable for children. Check with your child’s dentist before applying whitening products. 

Whitening Toothpaste or Mouthwash

Another low-cost method to whiten your smile is toothpaste or mouthwash that contain whitening agents. Again, these are an easy choice for many because they are easy to find and don’t cost much more than regular toothpaste or mouthwash. 

The great thing about whitening toothpaste and mouthwash is that each can be used in combination with other whitening treatments. This is an easy and affordable way to help achieve white teeth, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work alone. To obtain the whitest teeth possible, you will need to add another whitening method to your regime. These methods will also only get you a few shades brighter. However, this is a wonderful place to start if you are on a budget and can wait for gradual results.  

Teeth Whitening Trays and Gels 

Whitening trays and gels are a great way to whiten your teeth while at home. To use, fill the trays with the provided bleaching product and wear them for either a few hours or overnight, then brush the product away. Many Fort Mill dentists, including Southlake Family Dentistry, offer these trays. Please make an appointment to come to the office to custom fit your trays for the maximum comfort possible. We can then select the right level of bleaching for your teeth and goals. These take-home whitening kits cost a little more than over-the-counter strips but are convenient and cheaper than in-office bleaching. The results are more dramatic and take less time to achieve.  Also, these trays can be used for future touch-ups as needed.

In-Office Bleaching 

Visiting the office for a bleaching treatment is the quickest and most effective way to achieve those pearly whites. During your visit, we can apply a whitening solution directly to your teeth. Your treatment will last 60 to 90 minutes. You can then go about your day, but you should avoid coffee, tomato sauce, yellow mustard, and red wine. This treatment is preferred by many because of its immediate results and effectiveness. However, in-office bleaching is the most expensive of all these methods, so contact us today to discuss pricing and payment options.  

Now that you know all of the teeth whitening options we recommend, it should be much easier to choose which one will be best for you and your teeth. If you are interested in teeth whitening trays and gels or in-office bleaching, please contact us to set up an office visit. We can’t wait to see you and your bright smile!