Smile Bright: The Low Down on Whitening

Summer is a popular time for teeth whitening. Maybe it's the abundance of summer weddings, or the fact that people have more time to think about it when they're on vacation. Perhaps the drive to look a little better is inspired by an upcoming class reunion. Whatever the reason, many people choose teeth whitening as a way to perk up their looks for the summer. There are many ways to achieve that perfect shade, and each has its advantages.

Zoom! Instant Whitening: For the most immediate results, book an appointment for in-office whitening. During your appointment, your teeth will be coated with a whitening agent, which will be activated under the Zoom light and you'll walk out of the office with significantly brighter teeth. This costs a bit more than other methods, but if you're looking for immediate results or don't want to mess with trays, gels, or strips, Zoom whitening may be for you.

Custom Trays: Custom trays are another option. It's less expensive than instant whitening, and you'll achieve great results in a week or two. During your appointment, we'll take an impression of your teeth and make flexible trays that fit to your teeth. Twice a day, you'll apply the whitening gel to the trays and wear them for about 30 minutes. The result will usually last for several months.

Whitening Strips: You can also purchase pre-cut whitening strips over the counter. The whitening gel on these strips is typically weaker than the professional quality, so getting the shade you want will take a month or so. Because the over-the-counter strips aren't customized to your teeth, even coverage and tooth sensitivity can be issues, but this method is still an economical way to get good results.

If you're interested in learning more about whitening your teeth, feel free to call our office and we can help you decide which route to a brighter, more beautiful smile is right for you.

Announcing New Preferred Provider Networks

I am excited to announce that I have recently become a preferred provider for Washington Dental Service (WDS) and/or Delta Dental. I am also continuing as a preferred provider for Regence and Premera.

Because there are so many insurance companies and benefits are always changing, understanding your benefits can be challenging. Our office is lucky to have Val, who is our insurance expert and is dedicated to helping you understand and get the best value from your dental insurance benefits. 

People often ask if we "take" their insurance. The simple answer is that we bill all insurance companies. However, some insurances have certain requirements that must be met before they will pay any benefits. For example, some insurance companies will require you to be treated by a dentist who is in their network of "preferred providers," which means that the dentist has agreed to accept the insurance company's standard fee for a service.  If your insurance is not one of the ones listed for which we are preferred providers, it is still likely that your insurance will cover your dental care at our office. To find out what your benefits are, call your insurance and ask if you are allowed to see the dentist of your choice. (Or call Val, and she can find out for you).

We are happy to welcome our new WDS and Delta Dental patients to our practice, and encourage all of our patients to make use of Val's expertise to better understand and utilize your dental benefits.