As experienced dentists, we know what can happen as stress fractures develop in teeth. Today, more people have teeth with small to medium sized fillings than in decades past. That is good. However, if those teeth start to show stress cracks, the part of the tooth that eventually splits away is large because there is more tooth. This is particularly true when the crack runs vertically up and down the tooth.

Unfortunately, a simple filling does nothing to help strengthen the tooth or stop you from getting a broken tooth. A filling sits within the fracture (almost like a wedge in a log). It is only a matter of time for the crack to grow.
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When our car windshield gets a crack, does our car insurance policy say, “No coverage until it breaks in half or until it shatters?” Does your medical coverage say, “No coverage on a fractured bone until it breaks all the way through?”

Of course not. We all understand that the situation can become much worse if we let fractures expand. However, many dental insurance companies eliminate coverage for restorations that are designed to make a broken tooth strong again. Why? And why is it an important issue to you?
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“Pre-tax” savings accounts have become a powerful employee benefit. However, it is amazing how many people are unaware of this benefit or hesitate because of the paperwork. We have assisted many of our patients wit setting up and utilizing their “Pre-Tax” spending accounts by sharing our knowledge about their employers plan and by helping with the paperwork necessary for reimbursement. Many patients have thanked me and said,” No one ever told me about this!” (Including major executives and Deans). It is worth checking into.

Over the past 15 years, I have watched dental insurance companies pay less and less of the true cost of dental care. Patients are having to assume greater financial responsibility for their care and are planning their treatment more strategically. At D & G, our patients learn about their current, emerging, and optional dental issues. By prioritizing and dividing treatment into phases, I help patients plan their care for the next year so it optimizes their combined insurance and pre-tax plan benefits. This strategic approach to dental care often allows our patients to elect treatment options that are longer lasting and/or more beautiful than the typically lower levels of care encouraged by the insurance companies.