Dental Services FAQs Answered by Seattle, WA’s Premier Dental Team

Here at Dr. Henry Chin DDS, we believe that an informed patient is the happiest of all. Below are some of the most common questions that we receive along with answers from our dental team. Read through them and feel free to call us at (206) 621-1233 for any question you may still have. Keep in mind that next-day appointments are available.

How much should a crown cost?

A crown can be made from many different materials, including stainless steel, gold, porcelain, and ceramic. Due to the wide selection of materials that make a crown, the cost of a crown varies greatly. The floor cost begins at $500 and cuts off around $2,500.

How much are crowns with insurance?

A typical insurance plan will cover you for up to 50% on procedure costs like crowns, although these plans usually have an annual limit of $1,500. Be sure to check with your insurance provider about the flexibility of your plan.

What is the purpose of a crown on a tooth?

The purpose of a dental crown is to restore strength, size, and appearance of a damaged tooth. Crowns are necessary if you have a cracked, severely discolored or decayed tooth.

What are the benefits of crowns?

Crowning a tooth will restore it to its natural shape and appearance. The added support of dental crowns will also restore your bite back to its’ proper function.

What are dental bridges?

Dental bridges are designed to fill a gap of 1 to 2 teeth. The surrounding permanents act as anchor supports for the bridge. The goal is to get your mouth operating to its intended design and function while are also restoring your natural smile.

How do dental bridges help?

The purpose of bridges is to restore your bite and keep your jaw aligned. Gaps in teeth are very destructive to the overall functionality of our mouths. Dental bridges are also a great way to fight the severe risk of cavities that comes with missing teeth

How do you clean wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth hygiene is more complex hygiene for other teeth. Due to the position of wisdom teeth in gum tissue these teeth are more susceptible to cavities, gum disease and pocket formation. Keeping these teeth clean requires that you brush along and below gumlines surrounding the teeth. This routine should be followed for all of your teeth, but is especially important in keeping wisdom teeth healthy. Be sure to always floss and follow up with a rinse of antimicrobial mouthwash.

Why do wisdom teeth grow late?

Depending on the person, wisdom teeth begin to grow as early as age 14 and may develop as late as age 30. This late onset is due to the biological genes for our teeth. Over the course of human history, our mouths have been shown to have reduced in size from our prehistoric ancestors. However, we have retained the genes of extra teeth (wisdom teeth) for a jaw size that we no longer have.

Does FSA cover Invisalign?

Invisalign is a great alternative for people who want to inconspicuously correct their teeth to a perfect smile. Invisalign aligners are compatible with a flexible spending account (FSA) plan.

Does dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are classified as a cosmetic procedure. A typical insurance plan is not qualified for procedures such as veneers because they are solely cosmetic.

How much is the cost of porcelain veneers without insurance?

Depending on the extent of treatment, porcelain veneers can cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000. (In some cases, treatment may exceed $2,000.)

If you have more questions, contact Dr. Henry Chin DDS at (206) 621-1233. We are more than happy to work with you for a solution to your dental needs. Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you call and schedule with us today, we will see you tomorrow!