Year-End Dental Checkups: Use Your Benefits Before They Expire

The year’s almost over, but before you dive into the holiday chaos, think about your teeth — and your wallet. Most dental benefits reset on January 1st. It’s time to schedule that year-end dental checkup to avoid overspending.

Take full advantage of your dental benefits by using them before they expire. Why? Any unused cleanings, exams, and money available for dental treatments before the year’s end aren’t as readily available after the ball drops. Are you ready to take charge of your dental health and optimize your benefits?

Schedule a family dental appointment before the clock strikes midnight on January 1st by seeing the experts at SuperTooth™, with offices in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Germantown, Maryland, for a routine dental checkup, cleaning, and treatment when necessary.

Do dental benefits expire?

Dental benefits are often available during a 12-month time frame, which means they may expire at the end of the year if you don’t use them. However, these benefits typically reset on the first of the year, as long as you remain on the same insurance plan.

So, if you’ve met a yearly dental benefits deductible (maximum amount you pay yearly for dental care), getting your teeth cleaned and taking care of any necessary dental procedures by the year’s end can save you money.

However, become familiar with your dental insurance plan to know if it has an annual maximum, which is the maximum amount your plan pays for dental services per family member each year. If you’ve reached this annual maximum, you pay any remaining balances.

Services to schedule by the end of the year

Schedule adult and pediatric dental cleanings and checkups (dental exams that screen for potential oral health problems) in November or early December, just in case you’re a candidate for plan-covered fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, restoration replacements, or other dental procedures.

That way, you’ll have time to schedule a second appointment for dental work before the New Year to treat cavities, tooth damage, gum disease, or infections, and receive maximum coverage before a dental insurance coverage reset.

Dental insurance providers often allow two preventive cleanings and dental exams yearly at no cost to you.

If I don’t use my benefits by year’s end, do I lose them?

Most dental plan benefits don’t roll over to the next 12-month period. However, some plans provide carryover benefits, allowing unused money to carry over into the next year. Contact your dental insurance provider to determine if you have carryover benefits. If not, your plan’s benefits and coverage may reset on January 1st.

Other reasons to schedule end-of-year dental visits

Other great reasons to schedule end-of-the-year dental checkups at SuperTooth include elevating your smile for festive photos and family gatherings, boosting your confidence this holiday season.

Ways to enhance your grin at SuperTooth include teeth whitening, dental veneers, Invisalign®, and dental bonding to make your smile brighter, beautiful, and flawless. You can also take advantage of preventive treatments, including fluoride treatments and dental sealants, to help you avoid holiday dental emergencies.

The SuperTooth experts take a holistic dental approach to care. They ensure exceptional and long-lasting outcomes this holiday season and beyond.

Schedule an end-of-year dental checkup for you and your family members at SuperTooth today to use your benefits before they expire. Simply contact us today by phone or request an appointment online.