Snap on Smile Seattle
December 13, 2019
How much does snap on smile cost?
Probably the FIRST question people ask Dr Timmerman is, “How much does Snap on Smile cost?” Unlike the “one size fits all” or prefabricated products that can be bought online, Snap on Smile is custom made in a lab. There are many benefits to this, primarily, the outcome. Snap on Smile will LOOK like it fits your face. It will FIT….
So while the cost is more than “Billy Bob Teeth”, it is worth it. The average cost varies across the nation, but plan on a range of $1500 to $3000 per arch.
How long does snap on smile last?
One GREAT feature of Snap on Smile is that it comes with a 12 month limited warranty. This means “peace of mind” for your investment, however I know some patients that have had it last for up to 5 years (and counting).
Imagine buying tires for your car and ONLY driving one Saturday per month to the store and back. THOSE tires will last MUCH longer than if you drive every day and “peel out” at ever stop light. The same logic comes with the longevity of Snap on Smile. If you ONLY wear it for special events, it will last MUCH longer.
Can you eat with Snap on Smile teeth?
While you CAN eat and drink with your Snap on Smile teeth, the wear and tear is much more than if you do not. While the polymer is a durable product, it is not the same as porcelain veneers. Since they are removable, they can be washed (brushed after meals, before bed, upon wakening). While it can be said that Snap on Smile is a temporary or permanent cosmetic solution, it is more accurately described as a long term temporary solution and WILL wear out over time. It’s available for upper and lower teeth.
How do you put on snap on smile?
Placement of the Snap on Smile DOES take a little bit of practice. It does “slip on and slip off” but since it is a completely custom fit, it is very snug. There is SOME flexibility, but it takes practice to learn the correct path to get it placed “just right”. You won’t want to do this several times per day.
There is NO adhesive or glues, so it stays put via friction. Our teeth have a bit of a roundness, so the material will “cup” around the “nooks and crannies”.
Taking them out takes a bit of practice
Can snap on smile replace missing teeth?
Snap-On Smile covers up crooked or chipped teeth and can fill in gaps too. This set of veneer-like teeth is custom made for your mouth. Unlike porcelain veneers, Snap-On Smile is removable so you can take it out when needed.
Can you wear snap on smile every day?
While you CAN wear Snap-On Smile all day, every day, you may want to decide how much it is worn. The more it is worn, the faster it will wear out. If you want this investment to last a long time, 24/7 is not a good idea. No matter what, we suggest that the patient remove and clean the appliance before going to bed. Proper care is required just like any other dental appliance.
Does Insurance cover snap on smile?
Snap-On Smile is for cosmetic/esthetic application, so do not expect insurance to help. As a general rule, cosmetic/aesthetic dental services are not covered by dental insurance.
Who should NOT do Snap on Smile?
Snap on Smile is NOT for you if you have:
- very few natural teeth
- loose teeth
- periodontal disease
- you are in the middle of orthodontic treatment
- your teeth flare out severely
How do you clean a snap on smile?
Cleaning is easy.
- Place Snap on Smile in a bowl or cup full of denture cleaning solution. The water should cover the appliance completely
- Soak for a minimum of 15 minutes
- Remove the Snap-On Smile and rinse thoroughly under running water before using. You may use a soft toothbrush on the inside of the appliance to gently remove any residue.
Do Snap on Smile veneers work?
This custom device is fabricated in a lab to fit precisely over your teeth. It is entirely tooth-borne, so no adhesives are required. People who wear a Snap-On Smile are free to eat, drink and function normally. However, like any snap on veneers, these are specifically designed as a temporary solution, not a permanent one, but with care can last for several years.
Tukwila Connection Dental GEHA Dentist
December 11, 2019
Dr Timmerman is a GEHA dentist (part of Connection Dental) which is an “umbrella plan”. What this means is that there is no “plan” called Connection Dental but a group of plans MANAGED by the umbrella. What they do is help manage OTHER plans or networks. Dr Timmerman may in fact NOT be “in network” with a plan, but “IS” in the network via this umbrella. This CAN become very confusing.
GEHA Dentist, and the Umbrella
Most people can visualize an umbrella. A large, circular apparatus used to cover and repel rain. Flip it upside down, and it does the exact opposite, it collects rainwater.
In this case, it is a collection of dental benefit insurance plans that opens up the network to connect more patients to dentists. If you are looking for a MetLife dentist and they are not listed with MetLife, you may still be eligible for fees that are in their network.
Maximizing Your GEHA Dentist dollars
Why is it important to find a GEHA dentist? For one, less stress. Paperwork to manage your claim should be much more straightforward. This makes for fewer delays and ultimately saves everyone money.
Dentist Near Me
December 2, 2019
When you need a dentist, most will think to themselves, “I need a dentist near me.” This makes it convenient for dental emergencies AND future dental care. But how do you find a dentist that treats you the way that you want to be treated?
Ask Friends for a Dentist Near Me
This might seem like the best method, and if you have rarely ever needed dental care and are healthy, then this might work out well. But…. There is a strong possibility that things are not as good as you assumed. An extremely common approach to dental disease to wait for treatment to be large 
enough to be profitable. The common phrase the dentist will say is, “Let’s watch that…” Watch it do what? Get bigger? Hurt? Break?
If your dentist has “approval addiction” then you may have a false sense of security. If your mouth is full of early stage decay or fillings/restorations and each time you get your teeth cleaned your dentist says “everything is fine”, then your NEXT dentist will look like the “bad guy” when they tell you what is going on. It may not MEAN treatment, but there may be a suggestion. Ultimately, WHEN to treat is up to the patient.
So, should you ask a co worker? Sure, but take the advice with a grain of salt.
Does the dentist take my insurance?
This is the tricky part. EVERY dentist works with insurance in SOME capacity. If a dentist is “in network”, then they have agreed to discount their fees in exchange for patients to be directed their direction. It is expensive marketing. There is no “qualifying” or “screening” done, other than making sure the dentist has an active license.
While you might save money by going to an in-network dentist, you need to accept that there are treatments that you simply will not be offered or given a referral for. If you are relatively healthy, this means very little, but if you have a lot of needs, in-network dentists are likely not the best choice. The costs for care will exceed the insurance benefits quickly, so the costs are mostly yours anyway.
Now, I DID say that EVERY dentist works with insurance. I’m not lying. Some insurances make it harder to work with if you are not IN network, but even dental offices that are 100% cash only will STILL help you fill out/complete the paperwork to file claims. In an office like this, you must consider any insurance benefit like a rebate check. You will pay for your care completely and then within weeks, your check from the insurance company will come to you in the mail.
Having said all that, there ARE insurance companies that will ONLY pay specific offices, and seeing an outside dentist will void any benefits. This is called capitation or HMO care. That is a topic for an entirely different post…. Safe to say, offices like this are giving ONLY the most BASIC level of care.
Google search for a dentist
Probably the best way to find a dentist near me is google (the internet). It isn’t always the easiest (some websites are VERY pretty, but the dentist/office is NOT in real life….). This allows you to search for a dentist based on WHY. Is it JUST because the dentist is near me, or are there specific needs? Did your last dentist retire and you just want a dental home? Do you have complex treatment that your current dentist CAN’T do?
A well done website will contain the services offered by the dentist, a way to contact (phone number, address, link to a map to find your way, etc). If you find a dentist that is in an acceptable location and offers the services you desire, then the next step is a records appointment and examination. Once your new dentist understands you and your goals, you can start the path to the level of dental health that you desire.