Medical Insurance

• Medical insurance is designed to cover catastrophic events. Major injuries and treating diseases can run from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Medical insurance is there to cover the majority of those types of expenses. They also will pick up some routine expenses, drugs, and tests. Most medical insurances have a maximum lifetime limit that is often $1 million.

Dental Insurance

• Dental insurance was designed to help with the preventive procedures, like getting your teeth cleaned, the occasional cavity fillings, and maybe a crown or a root canal.
• It won’t cover the larger expenses following years of neglect, fixing a smile with porcelain veneers, rehabilitating a severely broken down set of teeth, or for replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
• Dental insurance has a small annual limit that they provide, usually between $1,000-$1,500. The employer who provides the benefit usually sets up this amount.

No Dental Insurance: No Problem

• People with no dental insurance in McKinney often stay away from the dental office. Many do this because they mistakenly believe that if things are not hurting, they are probably okay.
• The truth is that routine cleanings and checkups can identify existing problems well before they cause pain, and when they are much less expensive to correct. The cost for twice-a-year cleanings and checkups is minimal when figured on a monthly basis, and the return on this investment in your dental health is HUGE!
• So what if you don’t have dental insurance, and haven’t been to the dentist in years? What if you know you have cavities in your teeth, or broken or infected teeth or gums, but fear you can’t afford to fix them all?

At McKinneyDentist.com, we help patients like you every day.

The first step is to call us. Then come in, and together, we figure out a plan to help you get healthy, and in the time frame that works for you. We offer many different dental financing options to help fit your dental care into your budget. We also work very hard to make sure our fees are middle of the pack, while our service, facility, staff, and care provided are the very best. All of these lead to a great value, and healthy, happy smiles for our patients.

In countless movies and TV shows, actors use the dreaded root canal as the thing most associated with absolute pain and suffering. They would rather have an arm cut off than to have this procedure done. Even in a popular kids movie, “Finding Nemo,” the fish watch the dentist perform a root canal from their aquarium as the patient flails and screams in pain as the dentist stabs him with his torture devices.

Once upon a time, this was probably the way root canals really were. Not any more, especially at MckinneyDentist.com. Let’s talk about this!

What is a Root Canal?

The procedure is done to remove the pulp tissue (actually nerve, blood vessels, and cells that made the tooth) from the canal space that runs down the middle of the root of a tooth.

A common misconception is that the root is removed. This is incorrect. The root remains, and a crown (cap) is made to cover the tooth and keep it strong. Once the pulp tissue is removed, a special root canal filling is placed within the root. The core of the tooth is then strengthened, either with a bonded core build up, or a post and core build up. This is what the crown sits on.

Root canals are done when decay, cracks, or old fillings or crowns go deep into the tooth. Often this causes a toothache. Many times, there is no preceding pain at all. These are also done when a tooth becomes infected, or abscessed. This condition can also be very painful, or it can exist and the patient has no idea it’s there.

In the past, root canal treatment would often take 2 or 3 long visits, and then 2 more visits to make the crown. Many x-rays were needed throughout the procedure, which only added to the time and discomfort required to complete it. The longer the procedure takes, the greater chances of there being pain as the anesthetic wears off. This definitely fits the Hollywood description.

The McKinney Dentist root canal version is much different.

• First, we achieve “PROFOUND” anesthesia. This means no feeling at all.
• Instead of taking 3-5 visits to complete, we will finish your root canal and crown in 1 or 2 quick appointments. In some cases, we can make your crown the same day using our E4D crown milling technology.
• We use the latest in root measuring technology that allows us to take a minimum number of x-rays. The x-rays we do take are always digital, which reduces the patients exposure, and are viewable instantly on a computer monitor with incredible clarity and resolution.
• On teeth with multiple roots that are difficult to see with conventional 2D x-rays, we can see all the details of the tooth’s structure using our 3D dental CT scanner. This allows us to see exactly where the roots and canals are located, and how many the tooth has. We find hidden canals that would normally be missed (which leads to infection later) all of the time!
• The technique and materials used to clean and fill the canals is also state-of-the-art, which allows for a quicker, more comfortable, and thorough result.
• Quicker procedures create much less strain on patient’s jaws and muscles, and much less stress on the patient!

All of the techniques we use are designed to create the best, most predictable, and fastest result possible. Our patients are always telling us how surprised they were at how easy the procedure was, and how the dread and fear they had leading up to it was all for nothing. Often, the only pain medication people need after having a McKinney Dentist root canal is Tylenol or Advil.

Do Not be Afraid of Root Canals!

If you have been diagnosed as needing a root canal, or if a toothache is making your life miserable and you have been avoiding treating it because of the terrible reputation that the root canal has been given, you need not worry or avoid treatment any more.

And if anxiety still makes you hesitate, we offer several types of sedation dentistry, from FREE laughing gas (available for all appointments), oral sedation that creates a calm, relaxed, and sleepy state, and IV sedation that will have you asleep through the entire procedure.

Call MckinneyDentist.com and talk to one of our friendly patient counselors about how we can help save your tooth and smile.

These things are often unpleasant things to have to think about undergoing, but McKinney Dentist uses some special tools, made by the patient’s own body, to help speed and ease healing. These tools are called growth factors. Here’s what they are and how they help you.

The Science Behind Growth Factor Healing

There are basically 3 types of blood cells in our bodies. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout our body. White blood cells (there are many types of these) fight infections. Platelets are involved in blood clotting and wound healing. It’s these platelets that hold the growth factors that we are interested in.

Human growth factors are proteins that are responsible for wound healing and regeneration, along with new growth of tissue. They regulate the growth and different functions of our cells. There are many different kinds, but all play an important role in healing.

Wound healing has 3 phases:

• The initial phase is the body’s response to an injury– sending out a signal and recruiting the cells necessary to begin repair.

• The second phase involves the actual beginning of repair that the body does. This is where new cells start to form that will later turn into each of the different types of tissue.

• The final phase is where everything matures and settles in to return to normal. The growth factor’s greatest influence is on the first two phases, which ultimately effects the final phase.

How it Works

On the day of the procedure, a small amount of the patient’s blood is drawn. This is then placed in a centrifuge (a machine that spins really fast like the crazy amusement park ride that makes you dizzy), which separates the different blood cell types into different layers.

The layer that has the platelets is then removed and the platelets are activated. This activation releases all of the growth factors from the cells, which is very concentrated. The resulting product can then be used in the tooth socket, around the implant, or in the gum or bone graft. All of this is done at the McKinney dental practice.

The first thing the growth factor does is signal the body to draw more growth factors to the area. These reduce the bad kind of inflammation that causes pain. They also recruit new blood vessel growth, which is vital to healing and new cell growth. Then, the second phase begins with a big head start. New tissue (gums, bone, collagen) starts to form much quicker. What this all means to the patient is a shorter and easier recovery time.

Come See Dr. Jeff Lynch at McKinney Dentist for Your Procedure

At McKinney Dentist, Dr. Jeff Lynch is one of the very few in the DFW area that uses these to help his patients obtain faster results and better healing. When used in conjunction with implant placement, gum grafting, and bone regeneration, these growth factors give great results, with less swelling, less pain, and quicker recovery. Studies have also shown that this decreases the potential for postoperative infections. All good news!

If you or someone you know needs dental implants, or any of the other services that your body’s growth factors can be used to help you heal, contact the friendly people of McKinney Dentist, and you too can benefit from another of modern dentistry’s great medical advances.

Myth:

People think that their dental insurance policy will take care of major events like house or medical insurance will.

Fact:

People who have “dental insurance” really only have minor dental benefits that are determined by their employer and an insurance company. A dental benefit is more like a coupon. It doesn’t pay for the entire product or service. It only pays a vague percentage and it has a maximum it will pay each year.

Myth:

“Because I need this dental work, my dental insurance will pay for it!” or “My dental insurance will pay 80 percent of what I need to fix my dental problems!”

Fact:

In 1972, most dental plans covered $1,000 to $1,500 per year, and most companies paid the premiums. At that time, crown fees were around $400 and insurance could, would and did pay for 80 percent. Basically, a patient could get three or four crowns a year to repair broken down, filled teeth and in a few years, their mouth didn’t need any more major work. Plus, the patient could get two cleanings a year and not even approach their insurance limits. That was a great deal for patients and dentists.

40 years later, most plans still have $1,000 to $1,500 annual limits, and many people are paying half or all of the premiums. Today’s crown prices have more than doubled so one or two crowns will basically wipe out a year’s benefit.

Consider the following comparison to car insurance:

In 1972, few cars cost more than $6,000. That’s what your auto insurance would pay if you totaled your car back then. If auto insurance stayed the same as dental insurance, they would only cover a bumper or fender repair in today’s car.

Past versus the Present

The real problem is that today’s dentistry is nothing like it was 40 years ago. If patients had dental problems, the choices were to pull, fill or crown the tooth. Today, we have dental implants, dental lasers, all porcelain crowns, zirconium based crowns, 3D CAT scans, TMJ treatment, Facelift dentures, cosmetic dentistry and the list goes on and on. Many of these procedures are not covered by the dental benefit contract or the procedures cost more than the yearly benefit.

Forty years ago, there was no such thing as Managed Care, no PPOs, HMOs, etc. These insurance companies find dentists that will cut their fees in order to be “on the plan.” It is a good marketing tool for the dentist because people naturally want to have the least expensive dental work possible.

To find a new dentist, they look at the provider list in making a choice for a new dentist. The dentist making the deal with the insurance company must cut their fees from 30-70 percent. Then, the plans pay the dentist a flat fee for every patient who calls them “their primary care provider.”

These dentists get virtually nothing for the routine care or treatment they provide. In order for them to make a return and still operate their business, they have to drastically cut overhead in some manner, and often, this means doing no treatment because to do the correct treatment actually costs them money.

There is definitely no focus on customer service like you will find at Mckinneydentist.com! Even though it is a managed care system, it is still acts as a coupon and not insurance.

Myth:

“The dentist and dental team should know what a person’s dental benefit is and what it will cover and pay, and if the insurance company doesn’t pay, it’s their problem.

Fact:

The dental insurance contract is between the employer and employee (the patient), and the insurance company. The dentist has no influence on what “should be covered”. The employer and insurance company negotiate these things ahead of time. The dentist is simply caught in the middle.

At Mckinneydentist.com, we love helping people. We try very hard to accommodate our patients and even hire extra people just to help the patients get the most they can. Out team has three full time employees whose entire job consists of trying to get our patients the most out of their plans possible.

At Mckinneydentist.com, we try as hard as possible to help people maximize their dental benefit but it is getting harder and harder to do. Ultimately, the financial responsibility for all dental treatment is the patients.

A Final Word About Dental Insurance

The insurance companies did not build all the skyscrapers in New York, Chicago, etc because they lose money. They created the system so they can make a profit.The best approach if you do have insurance is to just think of it as a coupon and not something that is going to pay for major dental problems.

If your company is paying for it, then it is a true benefit but will not pay for everything you might think it should. If you are paying for it, you might want to look at what you are paying and exactly the benefits you are getting.

And finally, over and over we see patients who “only do what the insurance covers.” This approach ends badly. By letting the insurance dictate treatment instead of the dentist, the care that patients get is never ideal, and almost always ends up with the patient needing more dental treatment than otherwise would be.

Dental sealants are a cutting edge preventative measure against plaque, bacteria, and cavities. Dental sealants are made from a thin plastic coating, either clear or white in color, which flows into the natural grooves of your teeth. This plastic coating forms a protective shield against bacteria, acids, food particles, and plaque. Ultimately, this prevents cavities and tooth decay.

The quality cosmetic dentists at McKinney Dentist make the dental sealant procedure quick, easy, and painless.

The dental sealant procedure

• Removing the tooth structure is not needed, therefore there is no anesthesia, shots, or drilling.
• The tooth is first cleaned, then a trained dental hygienist applies a special gel on the chewing surface for a few seconds, before washing it off and drying your tooth.
• Afterwards, the sealant is painted precisely on your tooth.
• A bright curing light is then applied to help harden the sealant, which takes only seconds.

It’s clear that dental sealants are quick and easy, so why not fight cavities before they even appear? Dental sealants are long lasting, and most have a longevity of 5 to 10 years!

Dental sealants are often recommended for teenagers and children, because tooth decay usually begins at an early age. It is also recommended that dental sealants be applied to the back molars, because they are some of the hardest to reach parts of your mouth.

If you’re ready to fight tooth decay before it starts, let the dentists at McKinney Dentist help you! These dentists serve all of North Texas, and are ready to provide you with high quality dental care. These doctors have extensive experience in the dental field, and provide their patients with an array of services. The services offered at McKinney dentist include preventative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, general and restorative dentistry, comprehensive dentistry, in addition to surgery and sedation dentistry.

If you are ready to fight tooth decay before it starts, get dental sealants! McKinney Dentist is here to help you! If you’re interested in a brighter, healthier smile, call McKinney Dentist for a complementary consultation at 972-54-SMILE (76453)

So what exactly is sleep apnea?

Snoring is caused by oral structures relaxing during sleep and partially blocking your airway. Snoring is the sound caused by the vibrations of these oral structures. However, there is a distinct difference between snoring and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which these oral structures completely block your airway, causing you to literally stop breathing while you sleep.

How do I know if I suffer from sleep apnea?

You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you have the following symptoms:

• Snoring
• Daytime drowsiness
• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Falling asleep at inopportune times
• Sudden waking, chocking, coughing, or gasping

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you are not alone. Almost 20 million Americans can’t get a good night’s sleep due to excessive snoring. Sleep apnea can affect many aspects of your life, ranging from your relationships to your productivity, in addition to your overall well-being.

However, you can find relief. One of the major procedures which can counter these destructive symptoms is a CPAP. A CPAP is a machine that sends continuous positive air pressure into the body. This is one of several options available to sleep apnea patients. Another solution that works very well and is much simpler and more comfortable is a sleep guard, which gently lifts the lower jaw, allowing for easier airflow.

If you are ready to get a good night’s sleep, let the doctors at McKinney Dentist help you! The doctors at McKinney Dentist are trained in sleep apnea treatment. They are ready to treat your symptoms with the latest technology which best fits your needs.

A variety of other services to meet your dental needs

These dentists understand your discomfort, and they want you to sleep and live well. These dentists also provide a variety of other dental services, including cosmetic dentistry, surgical dentistry, preventative dentistry, in addition to general and restorative dentistry.

If you are ready to stop snoring and sleep well, McKinney Dentist is here to help you. They serve all of North Texas, and they are ready to help you find relief. If you are searching for a dentist who can effectively treat your sleep apnea, choose the doctors at McKinney Dentist. For a complementary consultation call  972-54-SMILE (6453).

The “gummy smile” often occurs because of an overgrowth of gum tissue which covers the parts of your teeth which should be showing when you smile. This can lead to a smile which may make you uncomfortable and self-conscious. Your smile should only be a boost to your self-confidence, and if you are tired of overgrown gums consider having a gum-lift procedure.

What is a gum lift procedure?

• A gum lift procedure, also called “aesthetic crown lengthening”, is a simple procedure that can often be achieved in one sitting. During this procedure, you will be gently sedated before a trained dentist lifts and re-shapes part of your gums. This will create appropriate tooth contouring and positioning, creating an aesthetically pleasing smile.

• In addition, your teeth will become longer and the natural contours of your smile will be exposed. Because your gum tissue is attached to the bone, your bones sometimes have to be altered as well. However, your highly trained Mckinney Dentist will perform this procedure with care so that you will undergo the most minimal amount of pain. Additionally, your gum tissue heals fast so the recovery period is swift and easy.

• If you are unhappy with a “gummy smile” and are considering an aesthetic crown lengthening procedure, look no further than the doctors at McKinney Dentist. The trained cosmetic dentistry professionals at McKinney Dentist perform a plethora of dental treatments and procedures, using state-of-the-art technology to give you the best results possible.

Call us today!

At McKinney Dentist, your health and comfort come first. These doctors are concerned about both your dental health, and the sense of self-confidence that your smile provides. They want you to have both a healthy smile and a healthy self-image. They provide a variety of dental services including preventative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, general and restorative dentistry, comprehensive dentistry, in addition to surgical and sedation dentistry.

The team of doctors at McKinney Dentist have over 75 years of combined experience, so they have the knowledge and expertise needed to get you the life-changing results you deserve. If you are interested in fixing your gummy smile, call McKinney Dentist for a complementary consultation at 792-54-SMILE (76453).

What is full mouth reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is one of the most complex processes in the dental field, combining cosmetic, implant, and general dentistry. It involves the complete restoration of your teeth through a variety of procedures. McKinney’s experienced, quality dentists understand the most advanced aspects of the procedure, and can give you the best smile that you will be proud of.

How do I know if I need full mouth reconstruction?

• If you have multiple missing teeth.
• If you have severely worn down, short teeth.
• If you have incredibly eroded enamel.
• If you have suffered a traumatic injury to your mouth or teeth.
• If you have congenital disorders which cause missing teeth, missing enamel, or poorly formed teeth.

A full mouth reconstruction procedure can fix all of these problems and more. At McKinney Dentist, you will be given the most comprehensive full mouth reconstruction, with careful attention paid to your comfort. A doctor at McKinney Dentist will also allow you to see what your results will look like.

Before you receive your full mouth restoration, a McKinney dentist will make a “wax up” model of your teeth. Then, a “practice” set of teeth can be made which you wear to get an idea of what your mouth will look like after you undergo the procedure. This will allow you to undergo the procedure with a clear idea of your results.

Getting the smile you deserve should not be a traumatic experience. At McKinney Dentist, your comfort is a priority. With a comfortable office, and many sedation options, our doctors promise that your full mouth restoration procedure will be a worthwhile experience. Getting the smile you deserve should be rewarding without any sort of anxiety. At McKinney Dentist, you’re in good hands.

The doctors at McKinney Dentist are experts in the field of full mouth reconstruction. They use the most advanced technology available to reconstruct your teeth into the smile you have always wanted. You deserve a boost of confidence, and at McKinney Dentist both your health and your self-image are a priority.

If you would like to learn more about full mouth reconstruction and the best that modern dentistry has to offer, call the offices of McKinney Dentist for a complementary consultation at 972-547-SMILE (6453).

Invisalign, sometimes referred to as clear braces, is a system of aligners made of polymer plastic which straighten teeth over the course of 6 months to 2 years, depending on your individual needs.

How does Invisalign work?

• One of the dentists at McKinney Dentist will create a 3-D model of your teeth before designing your customized treatment plan.
• Our lab technicians will build a series of transparent polymer plastic aligners, which you will wear for 6 months to 2 years, changing them bi-weekly.
• Over time, these aligners gently re-position your teeth, creating the perfect smile for the working adult.

Why do adults prefer Invisalign?

• Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, so you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your smile.
• Invisalign aligners are comfortable. You won’t feel any kind of mouth irritation normally experienced by wearers of traditional metal braces.
• You can still eat the foods you love! With the Invisalign system, you simply remove trays during meals so you don’t have to worry about any kind of mess.

If you feel like Invisalign is the right solution to your smile insecurities, choose McKinney Dentist. McKinney Dentist has a team of dental professionals ready to serve your needs. They also focus on comfort and relaxation during your visit, eliminating the sense of anxiety typically produced by a visit to the dentist.

Some of the individual features of the McKinney Dentist office include free WiFi, coffee and cookies, and a smile reminder. The smile reminder utilizes technology to promote a unique communication between dentist and patient. For example, you may receive a friendly text message from the McKinney office reminding you about your appointment.

McKinney Dentist also offers a plethora of other dental treatments. Not only are these doctors dedicated to improving the physical appearance of your smile, they are also dedicated to maintaining and improving your health.

The services offered at McKinney Dentist include preventative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, general and restorative dentistry, comprehensive dentistry, in addition to surgery and sedation dentistry.

The doctors at McKinney Dentist have years of experience, and promise to provide you with superior service, making your smile something to be proud of. If you are interested in the Invisalign system, or have any other dental needs, contact the doctors at McKinney Dentist at 972-547-6453.

As I write this letter I have now had my “new smile” for almost three weeks.  It seems like it has been 30 years ago considering how my life has changed.

I am like many of you-a middle aged person. For many years since grade school my teeth and smile have always bothered me.  Always. I did not smile for class pictures or want to even take pictures with dates, family events or even at my own wedding.  This is not to mention some of the names I was called growing up.  We all know how cruel people can be sometimes.  Up until three weeks ago this hurt.  Every single day.

Let’s just say I was not the “photogenic” type.  I knew it and was embarrassed by it.  So did everyone else.

Many people looked at me in a different way and in some cases treated me different as if I “weren’t good enough or worthy enough”. I was even told once that while I was a great person, I had “horrific teeth”.  Things like this stick with you, no matter what your age or position in life is.

As I got into the business world, I continued to stay away from taking pictures.  In fact, I even lost out on a large, well paying job in part because I “did not have the look”.  To this day I believe it was solely because of my smile-nothing else.  After all, your smile is one of the first things people notice about you.

When I had children, I forced them to get proper dentistry so they never would have to feel the pain that I did.  They both have fabulous smiles and the confidence that comes with this, not to mention they were never subjected to being looked down upon or teased.

Recently I decided to finally look into getting proper dentistry of my own.  I interviewed several doctors as I was very, very cautious ………and nervous!

Dr. Berlin, Stephanie, and the staff at McKinney Dentist made me feel like family.  Now, that is exactly what I consider these people. Family.  They were so caring, thorough and delivered on everything that they promised and more. When I was told what my teeth would look like I was told it would be 99% of what the mock ups showed I did not believe it.  I was right as they were wrong on that!  It was 110% of what they showed me and what they said.

What a change three weeks make!  It is like a new lease on life!

Now I find myself constantly getting compliments on my teeth and my smile.  Now, I even like to take pictures.  And, people tell me I am such a happier person. When my daughter first saw me, she cried tears of joy. She always knew how much this bothered me.  Now she says her Dad is a ”a ham” and always smiling! Frankly, it is fun to smile now.
I wish I would have made this decision decades ago.  It would have saved me so much heartache and lead to a better life free of the embarrassment and pain.

So, if you are considering this, do it and don’t wait.  The only regret I have is not doing this years ago.  Besides having my kids, this is the best investment I have ever made.

God Bless you Dr. Berlin and Stephanie.  I will be indebted to you both and McKinney Dentistry for the rest of my life.

Kindest Regards,

Dean C.
McKinney, Texas