Frequently Asked Questions
At Next Care Dental, we understand that choosing the right dentist can come with many questions. Whether you’re searching for a trusted family dentist, emergency dental care, or affordable cosmetic dentistry services, our team is here to provide clear answers and guidance.
Most PPO Plans
Medicare Advantage
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PPO Dental Insurance & Medicare Dental
What PPO dental insurance plans are accepted?
Next Care Dental accepts most PPO dental insurance plans and helps maximize your benefits.
How does PPO dental insurance work?
Patients can visit in-network dentists at reduced rates. Preventive care is often fully covered.
Does Next Care Dental accept Medicare dental coverage?
Traditional Medicare does not usually cover routine dental care, but supplemental plans may help. We accept Medicare Advantage plans from Humana, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare Dual Complete, Wellcare, SCAN, Cigna (including Cigna Indemnity), Liberty Dental and Memorial Hermann Dental. Learn more about Medicare dental coverage.
Can PPO insurance be used for major procedures?
Yes, depending on the plan, it may cover crowns, root canals, bridges, and implants.
How does PPO support preventive care?
It covers exams, cleanings, and X-rays to help maintain your oral health.
What if I don’t have insurance?
Financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit and Cherry.
How much does a dental exam cost?
$99 for an exam with X-rays, or $59 for an emergency exam (self-pay). See full exam pricing.
Can PPO be used for emergency care?
Coverage depends on your plan, but many plans include emergency services.
What treatments are commonly covered?
Preventive care, fillings, and partial coverage for major procedures are commonly included.
Is emergency care available for uninsured patients?
Yes, both insured and uninsured patients are treated at our office.
Preventive Dentistry
If my teeth feel fine and I don’t see any cavities, do I still need a dental exam?
Yes, and for a very important reason: dental issues like gum disease, bone loss, and early-stage cavities often don’t have any “feeling” until they are quite advanced. By the time a tooth starts to hurt, treatment is usually more complex, like a root canal or crown. During a preventive exam, Dr. Patel, Dr. Vu, and Dr. Pruneda look for microscopic changes in your enamel and gums that you can’t see in the mirror, so small problems get fixed before they turn into expensive emergencies.
I’m an adult; are dental sealants only for children’s molars?
Not at all. While sealants are most common for kids, adults with deep grooves in their molars and no existing decay or fillings can benefit from them too — ask us if they’re a good fit for you.
I already use fluoride toothpaste; is an in-office fluoride treatment necessary?
Toothpaste helps, but an in-office treatment delivers a much higher concentration of fluoride directly to your teeth, giving extra protection that’s especially useful if you’re prone to cavities.
Restorative Dentistry
How do I know if a tooth needs a crown instead of just a large filling?
It typically comes down to the structural integrity of the tooth. A dental filling is ideal for treating a small cavity where there is still plenty of healthy enamel. However, if more than half of your tooth is decayed, fractured, or has a large old filling that is failing, a dental crown is the safer long-term choice — it acts like a “helmet,” encasing the entire visible part of the tooth to prevent it from splitting or breaking further under the pressure of chewing.
Is root canal therapy as painful as people say?
Not with modern techniques. Most patients say a root canal feels similar to getting a routine filling — the procedure actually relieves the pain caused by the infection, rather than causing it.
What makes “Dental Implant Restorations” different from a standard bridge?
An implant replaces the tooth root itself with a small titanium post, so it stands on its own without relying on neighboring teeth for support — a traditional bridge, by contrast, anchors to the teeth on either side of the gap.
Dental Technology
How much radiation am I actually exposed to with digital X-rays compared to traditional ones?
This is a common concern, and the shift to digital has been a game-changer for patient safety. Digital X-rays at our Houston office reduce radiation exposure by up to 80–90% compared to old-school film X-rays — roughly equivalent to what you’d naturally absorb from the sun during a short cross-country flight. It’s a very low-risk way for Dr. Patel, Dr. Vu, and Dr. Pruneda to catch hidden issues like bone loss or infections that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Why do I need a Panoramic X-ray if I already had individual “bitewing” X-rays taken?
Bitewings only show a few teeth at a time in close detail. A panoramic X-ray captures your entire jaw, sinuses, and joints in one image, so we can spot bigger-picture issues like impacted wisdom teeth or bone changes that bitewings simply can’t show.
Will the digital sensors used for X-rays be uncomfortable or make me gag?
Today’s digital sensors are smaller and more comfortable than older film, and we position them carefully to minimize any discomfort. If you’re prone to gagging, let us know — we have techniques to make the process easier.
Dental Exam Cost
$99 exam + X-rays and $59 emergency exam for self-pay patients.
Insurance
Most PPO plans, Medicare Advantage, and Texas Medicaid for children.
Emergency Dental Care
Same-day visits whenever we can, Monday–Friday.
Helpful Links
Still Have Questions?
Our team is happy to help. Give us a call or book an appointment with Dr. Harsh Patel, Dr. Thuy Vu, or Dr. Natalie Pruneda today.