Dr Gatti's Blog a Lawrence Dentist Reflections

We have spent numerous hours of continuing education in the area of sleep apnea and sleep breathing disorders over the past five years. As we explain the health ramifications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea to our clients, one of the questions that often arises is, “Will my insurance pay for the treatment if I use an oral appliance?”

It is important to understand a couple of issues: One, this is a medical problem, not dental, so you will be utilizing your medical insurance. There is no dental coverage for the treatment of snoring or sleep apnea. Two, we are not contracting providers so you will be out of network – there are not any dentists that are in network with medical insurance companies for the use of oral appliances.

Realize that our team is well versed in, and happy to guide you through, the insurance process and coaching you on what questions to ask your insurance representative. When all of the required information has been collected we can send a pre-authorization of benefits to your medical insurance company to determine the amount they will pay.

For insurance to provide coverage three things are usually required: 1. a sleep study 2. a diagnosis of OSA and 3. a CPAP intolerant statement. Unfortunately, although snoring can be incredibly disruptive to your sleep and those people close to you, this is not considered a medical necessity and therefore no insurance coverage will be available. The general rule is the more proactive you are, the smoother and quicker the process will be of determining your insurance benefit.

When you are ready to improve your sleep and your health, or have insurance questions, please contact us.

Now there is a way for us to easily and effectively treat sensitive teeth while you are at the studio. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief with Pro-Argin Technology is the newest option available to treat dentin (exposed root structure) sensitivity.

Sensitive toothpaste with potassium salts for daily use work by building up a protective layer in the dentin. This however, takes time and pain triggers can still reach the nerves via open tubules in the dentin. Professional desensitizating products work by occluding or blocking these open tubules.

Arginine, an amino acid naturally found in saliva and calcium carbonate in the Pro-Argin technology bind to the dentin surface, attracting a calcium rich layer into the dentin tubules to effectively plug and seal them. The result is immediate and the relief last about four weeks. To help maintain the desensitizing cover you can utilize high fluoride toothpaste dispensed at the studio.

If you have sensitive teeth ask one of the staff at Dr. Gatti’s Advanced Dental Studio to review what options may work best for you.

At Dr. Gatti’s Advanced Dental Studio we now have available the option of a paste free polishing method. Many of our clients have already experienced this revolutionary new way of having their teeth polished. The polishing agent is impregnated into the polishing cup, thereby eliminating the need to dip the cup into a traditional gritty polishing paste. The result is a polishing procedure without the grit and splatter!

A study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Dentistry showed that the Butler Paste-Free Prophy is less abrasive on composite resin (tooth colored fillings) and enamel and provides a higher gloss finish than the paste products tested. The study shows it also maintains the original finish and gloss on porcelain, This is especially important for the many people with cosmetic restorations. In addition, tests conducted at the Indiana University School of Dentistry’s Oral Health Research Institute found that Butler Paste-Free Prophy cleans as well as traditional paste.

Of course, for those of you who prefer the traditional polishing method, we still have available the most up to date and leading polishing pastes available. Feel free to ask Dr. Gatti or one of our hygienists for more information.