Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take my insurance?
We routinely submit insurance claims to hundreds of insurance carriers for our patients. We file all of our claims electronically, ensuring the fastest claim handling and payment for your dental treatment. Our office will help you maximize your insurance benefit and handle the entire claim submission process for you.

How does dental insurance work?
Dental insurance is technically not "insurance" in the sense that it does not pay expenses from a loss or catastrophic event. Rather, it is a benefit that is available to you as a result of a contract between your employer and the insurance carrier. The procedures that are covered (and the amount paid for those procedures) result from a negotiation between your employer and the insurance company. Policies are designed with more or less benefit depending upon the premium the employer will pay towards the policy. The determination of UCR fees (usual, customary, and reasonable) are also a result of this negotiation, so the actual fees being charged in a region seldom match the UCR. The annual maximum benefit also varies from one insurance plan to the next. Customary fees and patient need have nothing to do with the annual maximum benefit that you might receive from your insurance. For many dental insurances, the annual maximum benefit amount has not increased in decades, so as dental procedure fees rise, you get a smaller benefit each year!

I think I need a lot of dental treatment. Do you offer payment plans?
Absolutely! We offer 3 and 6 month interest free payment plans, and longer financing for treatment through Care Credit. You can save 5% on more costly treatment by paying in advance for your treatment.

I’m concerned about X-rays, do you really have to take them?
X-ray images of your teeth are critical for proper diagnosis, and preventive care. Our office uses the latest computerized digital x-rays that reduce your x-ray exposure by about 80% compared to that of film x-ray techniques.

How can I get whiter teeth?
Sometimes we help patients to rehabilitate their entire mouths with crowns or ceramic veneers in order to improve the appearance of discolored teeth. While this type of treatment can be highly effective and appropriate for many with certain conditions, treatment this extensive is not often necessary to brighten your smile. First, clean house! Some tooth discoloration is the result of surface staining that can be removed when your teeth are professionally polished. Whitening toothpastes have additional abrasives that try to achieve the same thing, but you need a skilled dental hygienist to get the hard deposits, called tartar, off your teeth and to thoroughly remove surface stain. Next, whiten those pearls. Over the counter whitening products will be somewhat effective, but only your dentist can get your teeth their whitest. Whether done at home or in the office, no other cosmetic procedure will do as much for your appearance for so little money. (It will be the most fun you’ve had at the dentist’s office, too.) Remember, fillings won’t change color, so you may find it necessary to replace older, discolored fillings or bonding. Lastly, watch what you eat. What you put in your mouth will have a huge effect on how your teeth look, and this includes smoking and the use of tobacco. Coffee, tea, wine, berries, tomatoes and juices are the enemy of white. Oh yeah, don’t forget to brush and floss, either!

I need fillings. Are silver fillings safe?
Yes, but despite this fact, more and more patients are asking for cosmetic solutions to their dental conditions. The majority of fillings placed at Today’s Dental Care are called composite resins, which come in dozens of shades to match your existing tooth color.

How often should I replace my toothbrush?
Treat yourself to a new manual toothbrush about every three months, unless the bristles become frayed or bent, in which case you will need to do it sooner.

I feel great! Why do I need to see the dentist at least twice a year?
There are many reasons. For starters, only a dental hygienist can get the hard tartar off of your teeth. An examination from the dentist at these intervals usually allows us to detect problems in your mouth when they are small. When small problems become large, treatment becomes more involved, more expensive, more time consuming, and less predictable.

Do you treat children?
You bet. We have Sony Playstation 2 and Atari video games in the reception area on a flat screen TV in the reception area and prizes and balloons for awesome patients! We want your child’s dental experiences to be very positive.

Do I need fluoride in order to have healthy teeth?
Fluoride is critical in helping developing teeth to become strong, and in helping developed teeth to stay healthy. Prescription fluoride supplements for children and fluoride toothpastes are keys to good oral health. Dr. Rothstein will help you to determine what fluoride products and supplements you or your family should be using.

Is it safe to have dental treatment while I’m pregnant?
Almost certainly. Did you know that pregnancy can make you more susceptible to certain dental conditions? This is why it is very important for you to maintain your dental health through pregnancy. Even most dental procedures can be performed safely while pregnant. The healthier you are the healthier your baby will be.