McElroy Smiles by Design of Encinitas Blog

Dental insurance can often be a simple and effective way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for everything from routine preventive care to more complex procedures. However, many patients are unaware that their policy might include certain restrictions, such as a waiting period, that can affect how they use their benefits.

It’s natural to have questions about this criterion and why it’s included in your plan. Continue reading to learn more about dental insurance waiting periods and why they’re sometimes necessary!

The holidays are a great time to take photos and remember special moments. Thanksgiving is especially great when food is accompanied by your loved ones. Cameras are most likely to come up as people take snapshots. You should bring your best smile for this moment, but some items on the dinner table may cause stains. Here are several you should know and how you can keep your grin bright.

October isn’t just about pumpkins and costumes—it’s also National Dental Hygiene Month! This annual celebration is the perfect reminder to check in on your oral care routine and make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your smile strong and healthy. Good dental hygiene goes beyond just brushing—it’s about creating habits that protect your teeth, gums, and overall well-being. Try these easy, effective tips to help you celebrate with a brighter, healthier smile this month.

Before you can have dental implants placed, your dentist will need to consider any factors that could influence your candidacy for the procedure. One particularly notable factor that needs to be taken into account is whether you smoke. It’s already well-known that using cigarettes can increase the chances of dental implants failing, but can it prevent you from getting them in the first place? Here’s what you need to know when it comes to smoking and dental implant placement.

If you’ve recently gotten dental implants, you might be wondering whether they will cause trouble the next time you go through airport security or enter a secure building. Metal detectors are sensitive, and many people worry that their implant could trigger an alarm. Fortunately, you can breathe easy — dental implants are unlikely to cause any problems at security checkpoints.

Dental implants are one of the most advanced and reliable ways to replace missing teeth. Not only do they restore function, but they also look remarkably natural, blending in seamlessly with your smile. However, many patients wonder ifdental implants stain the same way natural teeth do. The short answer is not exactly, but there’s more to it than that.

If you’ve taken the steps to fill gaps in your smile with dental implants, you can rest assured that you made the right choice. They easily restore the natural look and function of your teeth, but like any other investment, they require the proper care to last a lifetime.

Fortunately, there are a few simple lifestyle changes you can make to create a positive difference. Whether you want to keep the longevity of your dental implants or want to start preparing for success, read on to discover how to keep your restoration safe and sturdy for years to come.

Since Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a lot about it, including the fact that the aligners are completely clear. If that’s all you need to know, that’s great! However, if you are interested in learning a little more about this innovative orthodontic treatment, here are five things you should know before starting Invisalign that don’t get as much attention.

If you’re looking for the best way to restore your smile, you’re probably wondering what the best type of prosthetic is, and how long you can expect it to last. After all, it doesn’t matter how affordable it is if you must keep replacing it every few years.  But when it comes to dental implants, how long yours last depends on a variety of things, including the materials they’re made of. Here’s why  when it comes to longevity, these prosthetics are a better bargain than any other restoration on the market!

Do you know what the hardest substance in the human body is? It’s your natural tooth enamel! But if you’re missing permanent teeth, you probably already know that most methods of tooth restoration don’t come close to the real thing. In fact, it is said that dentures only provide about 20 to 25 percent of the bite force of your natural ones. But while that may not matter much if you eat a mostly soft diet, losing permanent teeth shouldn’t have to mean giving up the healthy, crunchier foods you love. Enter dental implants.

Unlike other tooth restorations, dental implants are permanent replacements that not only look and feel natural, but they restore between 80 and 90 percent of your bite force! Here are a few reasons why dental implants are the gold standard for tooth restoration, and how to know if you qualify for treatment.