Cochrane Dental Centre
Frequently Asked Questions

   A) There are many different types of dental insurance At Cochrane Dental Centre, we offer direct billing as long as the policyholder’s Benefit Provider will allow us. In some cases, the assignment of benefits will not be permitted due to the balance on account issues. Also, there are a few policies that will not permit the benefits to be assigned to the dental office and will only forward payment to the patient; we require payment at the time of treatment in these instances.

   A) Unfortunately, we are unable to know exactly what every patient’s dental benefits will pay. We will do our best to provide you with an estimated patient portion, but it is the responsibility of the patient to know the details of their insurance plan and to inform us when changes occur to the plan, what is covered by the policy and who is covered under the policy.

Please be aware that due to privacy laws, we are not able to access information on your behalf from your insurance provider. It is helpful if you have a booklet or form with these details to bring to your appointment.

   A) Estimates for your treatment are based on the most recent information we have on file. If you’re concerned about exactly what costs you’ll be responsible for, simply ask about our ‘Pre-Determination.’

   A) A Pre-Determination provides you with the exact cost of the treatment. Upon request, we will submit this information to your insurance provider before completing any treatment. While this may delay your treatment, you will know exactly what (if any) out-of-pocket costs you may be required to pay.

   A) We require payment in full for your patient portion at the time of treatment.  We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Cash and Interac (Debit).

   A) We’re happy to put together a detailed treatment plan with the associated costs clearly outlined so that you can budget for each appointment accordingly. We can also prioritize treatments so that you can attend to the most urgent treatments right away and then plan further treatments over time.

   A) Yes! Cochrane Dental Centre is pleased to offer patients no interest, in-office financing options. Contact us for more details.

   A) We hear this question often. Usually, the patient has looked at his EOB (explanation of benefits statement) which tells you what the provider paid, or they check their plan booklet and sees that the fee charged by the dentist exceeds the fee guide amount set by the Benefit Provider. The problem is that the fee covered by the provider is whatever has been negotiated between your employer and the Benefit Provider and is directly dependent upon the premium paid for your specific benefit policy. That is why the coverage can vary even between the employees of the same company or other patients covered by the same Benefit Provider.

   A) Sometimes, a Traditional White Filling is not the best option for restoring your teeth. Dental Crowns are recommended for teeth with fillings that exceed the natural tooth structure. In addition to large fillings, teeth that have undergone root canal therapy along with teeth that suffer from reoccurring tooth decay benefit from Dental Crowns.

   A) A Dental Bridge is very similar to a dental crown and is used as a restorative dental treatment to replace one or more missing teeth in the same area. A Dental Bridge not only restores the function of your teeth, but it also prevents the surrounding teeth from drifting out of position and into the space created by the missing teeth.

There are many types of dental bridges available, and the best option for you depends on your specific situation. Our Dental Team will thoroughly examine your teeth to identify the best type of dental bridge for your situation.

   A) Porcelain Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your tooth to improve the color, look, and shape of the teeth. If teeth are chipped, misaligned or are beginning to wear, porcelain veneers are a great option to protect compromised teeth from additional damage all while restoring or enhancing their original appearance.

   A) Traditional dental filling materials, which are best known as silver fillings, are not always aesthetically pleasing options for restoring the function of your teeth. White Filling materials have been used for over 20 years, and many patients prefer white fillings over silver fillings for many reasons.

   A) We consider a Dental Emergency to be any situation where you are experiencing unmanageable pain or discomfort in your teeth, gum tissue or surrounding bone and jaw joints. If you are experiencing pain from a sudden or a lingering toothache, fracture or knock-out tooth, or have been involved in an accident that involves your teeth and/or jaw should be treated by a dentist immediately.