Don’t Lose Them: 5 Smart Ways to Use Your Dental Benefits Before Year-End

At Pioneer Dental Group, we don’t want you to miss out on care you’ve already paid for, especially if you’ve been putting off a visit because you feel nervous or embarrassed about your smile. 

Our expert team, led by Dr. Behzad Binafard, loves helping our patients in Norwalk, California, get the most from their benefits. Here are five smart ways to make the most of your remaining benefits before they expire.

Schedule your preventive visit

Our team typically recommends dental cleanings every six months, along with a check-up. Dental insurance plans usually cover this care twice a year, and the plan starts over in the new year. 

If you haven’t had your second cleaning and check-up of the year, now is the perfect time. In many cases, preventive visits are fully or partly covered by insurance, with very little money out of pocket. 

These visits help us catch small problems early, before they turn into bigger issues, and give you a fresh, healthy start on your oral health as you head into the new year. 

Complete any recommended treatment

If we’ve already recommended fillings, crowns, or other restorative treatments, using your benefits now can save you money and protect your long-term oral health. 

When small problems linger, they often become more painful and expensive to fix. Dr. Binafard and our expert team perform all procedures in our comfortable, state-of-the-art office. 

We also have an on-site dental lab, allowing you to get restorations like crowns and bridges faster. Taking care of those concerns now can help you avoid complications while staying within this year’s coverage.

Start treatment that requires multiple visits

Some procedures, like crowns, dental implants, or smile restoration, take place over several appointments. 

Spreading appointments across the end of this year and the beginning of 2026 may allow you to use both this year’s remaining benefits and next year’s renewed benefits. Ultimately, this can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. 

Use your FSA funds

Although we’re mainly talking about using insurance benefits in today’s blog, it’s also important to consider flexible spending accounts (FSA). Many people contribute pre-tax dollars to these accounts, directly from their paycheck, and then forget they did so. 

That money doesn’t automatically roll over to the next calendar year, so it’s a “use it or lose it” scenario. If you have an FSA, check your balance and spend it before the end of the year. You can use it on nearly any type of medical care, including dental work. It can be a great way to fund your dental care with no money out of your pocket today.

Update your smile goals

If you’ve been feeling self-conscious about chips, stains, gaps, or worn teeth, this is a great time to explore options like Invisalign® or veneers.

Cosmetic dentistry may not be covered by most dental insurance, but if the treatment is medically necessary, it could be covered. For example, if you need a crown to protect your tooth after a root canal, it’s often considered a medical necessity, but it also improves the appearance of your tooth.

Other procedures, such as porcelain veneers, usually aren’t covered, but many patients use FSA funds to pay for cosmetic procedures. 

Ready to use your benefits? Now is the time, so call 562-684-6179 today to schedule your consultation at Pioneer Dental Group or book your appointment online anytime.