Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance
Insurance plans vary. We can help you determine what your plan covers.
Straits Area Dental is pleased to be able to partner with CareCredit®, which offers a range of zero interest and low interest financing options for dental and medical care. You can apply online or download an application.
Many people believe that because they have Medicaid they can only receive dental care through the health clinic. For many, Medicaid in the State of Michigan covers dental visits through the insurance company Delta Dental including Michigan Healthy Kids / MIChild and some Healthy Michigan Plans. At Straits Area Dental, we participate with Delta Dental allowing Medicaid patients to receive care at our private practice.
We can assist you with obtaining financing through Care Credit. You can visit Care Credit’s website HERE to view their plans and apply for financing.
Cosmetic Dentistry
A filling covers only a portion of the tooth. A crown completely encases the visible area of a tooth.
Veneers are thin pieces of very strong porcelain that are bonded permanently to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are great for restoring teeth that are discolored, spaced apart, misshapen, or crooked. Crowns, on the other hand, completely cover the tooth on all sides and are used in situations where a greater amount of the tooth has been damaged and strength is required.
We offer professional-strength Crest Whitestrips, which offers better whitening and longer-lasting results.
Yes, we're pleased to offer Lumineers brand veneers to our patients.
Oral Cancer
VELscope shines a special blue light inside your mouth. Normal tissue reflects the light back in a bright, apple-green shade. Cancerous tissue, on the other hand, appears dark and easily noticeable. Even when no abnormal tissue is visible under white light, VELscope's light makes the cancerous tissue visible to the examiner's eye.
Dental Implants
The process of placing an implant and a replacement tooth used to take several dental visits over a period of months. (You had to wait for the implant to heal before the new tooth was placed.) With today's technology, it takes only two visits: one appointment to make a model or digital image of your mouth, and another to place the implants and the teeth—a new smile in an hour!
Perio Protect®
Perio Protect is the latest innovation in dentistry developed for non-invasive treatment for gum disease. As researchers continually find links between oral bacterial infections associated with gingivitis and periodontitis and other diseases in the body, the fight against gum disease will become even more prominent. Fighting the bacterial infection in your mouth may not only save your teeth it may also help preserve your health.
Miscellaneous
In healthy patients with no periodontal disease or involvement, cleaning should be scheduled for every six months. This procedure is known as a prophylaxis.
In patients that have periodontal disease and involvement, a more frequent cleaning schedule should be in effect, occurring every three to four months. This procedure is known as a periodontal maintenance appointment.