Understand the cost before you commit.
We verify your dental benefits before your visit and give you a written estimate before any treatment. No surprise bills. If you don’t have insurance, we explain your options and what each choice actually costs.
How insurance works here (the short version).
Give us your insurance name, member ID, and group number when you schedule.
Before your visit, we check what your plan covers, your deductible status, remaining annual maximum, and any waiting periods.
For anything beyond a standard preventive visit, you receive a written estimate showing what insurance is expected to cover and what you owe.
We submit the claim to your carrier after your visit. Final benefits are determined by the insurance company. Any adjustment appears on a follow-up statement.
Estimate vs. final benefit.
An estimate is our best reading of your coverage based on what your carrier confirms before the visit. It isn’t a guarantee. The insurance company makes the final decision after they receive and process the claim.
When there is a difference between estimate and final benefit, it is usually small. Occasionally coverage changes mid-year, a procedure is downgraded, or a frequency limit is different than the carrier reported. If your final responsibility changes, we tell you why and walk you through it.
Which plans do you accept?
Because carrier participation changes year to year, and because “in-network” and “accepted” can mean different things at different plans, the honest answer is: call us with your specific plan and we’ll tell you exactly what to expect.
As a general rule:
- We accept and file claims for most PPO dental plans.
- Some plans consider us in-network, some out-of-network. Your out-of-pocket may differ.
- We don’t participate in most DHMO or state Medicaid plans. If you have one of these, we can explain other payment options.
No dental insurance? Still welcome.
Many of our patients pay out of pocket. We explain what care will cost before you commit and offer options for phasing care over time when it helps. Our membership plan covers two cleanings, an exam, x-rays, and fluoride for one yearly fee, plus 10% off most other care.
Payment is expected at the time of service. We accept cash, check, and major credit cards. To spread out the cost of larger treatment, we accept CareCredit and Cherry financing.
Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
For crowns, bridges, implants, root canals, or any larger plan, you can ask us to submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance. Your carrier reviews the proposed treatment and returns a written summary of what they will cover. This adds a week or two before treatment begins but removes almost all uncertainty about your final cost.
We recommend pre-treatment estimates for any single procedure over roughly $500. Just ask at the visit when we present the plan.
What different plans typically cover
| Scenario | What we verify | What you can expect |
|---|---|---|
| In-network PPO | Negotiated rates, deductible, maximum | Lowest out-of-pocket; routine visits often fully covered |
| Out-of-network PPO | Coverage percentage, allowed amount | Benefits paid; you pay the difference between fee and allowed amount |
| Discount dental plan | Fee schedule for the plan | A set percentage discount at time of service |
| No insurance | N/A | Written estimate before treatment; membership plan, or CareCredit or Cherry financing |
| DHMO / Medi-Cal dental | We don’t participate in most of these | We’ll refer you to a participating provider |
Common questions
Do you take my insurance?
What is the difference between in-network and out-of-network?
Will you send my claim to my insurance?
What if I don’t have insurance?
Do you offer a membership plan?
Do you accept CareCredit?
Why is my final bill different from the estimate?
When is payment due?
Have a coverage question?
Call us with your plan info and we’ll verify your benefits before your visit. No commitment. No pressure.