{"id":169,"date":"2025-10-17T17:07:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/?p=169"},"modified":"2025-12-01T17:28:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T17:28:32","slug":"tiny-fix-big-money-how-dental-fillings-can-help-you-save","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/tiny-fix-big-money-how-dental-fillings-can-help-you-save\/","title":{"rendered":"Tiny Fix, Big Money: How Dental Fillings Can Help You Save"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AdobeStock_272866545__1717091977_67444.jpg\" alt=\"Patient smiling after saving money with dental fillings\" class=\"wp-image-170\" style=\"width:301px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AdobeStock_272866545__1717091977_67444.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AdobeStock_272866545__1717091977_67444-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AdobeStock_272866545__1717091977_67444-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As the end of the year approaches, dental practices seem to fill up fast. The reason? Everyone is in a rush to use their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/for-patients.html#insurance\">dental insurance<\/a> benefits before time runs out. If you still have some leftover coverage, now\u2019s the time to think about getting any dental fillings you need. They\u2019re one of the most cost-effective treatments in dentistry, and acting now can save you time, money, and discomfort later on. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Fillings Are So Cost-Effective<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When a cavity is small, treatment is very simple. Your dentist simply removes the decay and replaces it with a tooth-colored filling. This process is quick, comfortable, and low-cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, cavities don\u2019t stay small forever. When they spread, they can damage more of your tooth, eventually reaching the nerves at the center. At that point, you may need a crown, root canal, or even an extraction\u2014each of which costs far more than a filling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does Dental Insurance Cover Fillings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most dental insurance plans cover a large portion of the cost of fillings\u2014usually between 70% and 100%. This is because they\u2019re generally considered to be a \u201cpreventive\u201d procedure, which insurance benefits are designed to take advantage of. If you\u2019ve met your deductible for the year, you can take full advantage of your coverage to ensure your smile stays healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Now Is the Best Time for Dental Fillings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The last few months before the end of the year are generally considered \u201cuse it or lose it\u201d season. This is because the majority of dental insurance benefits expire at the end of the year, and many patients panic and schedule appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By waiting, you may end up having to start over with a new deductible in January. That means paying more out of pocket for the same treatment\u2014or worse, experiencing an expensive dental emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting a filling now is one of the best ways to use your dental insurance wisely. It keeps your teeth healthier, lowers your risk of dental emergencies, and helps you avoid larger expenses down the road. If your dentist has recommended one or more fillings, now is the perfect time to schedule them before the year ends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/meet-the-dentist.html\">Dr. Jay Lopez<\/a> earned his dental doctorate from the University of Colorado after completing his engineering degree at the University of Arizona. A Kois Center graduate and clinical mentor, he\u2019s highly trained in advanced restorative care. If you need a filling, he and his team are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your dental insurance. Call (520) 886-8090 to schedule an appointment at Jay R. Lopez, DDS, PC, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dentistryintucson.com\/\">visit our website<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the end of the year approaches, dental practices seem to fill up fast. The reason? Everyone is in a rush to use their dental insurance benefits before time runs out. If you still have some leftover coverage, now\u2019s the time to think about getting any dental fillings you need. They\u2019re one of the most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Dental Insurance and Dental Fillings | Dr. Jay Lopez<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you&#039;ve been delaying a couple of dental fillings, now is the time to get them before your dental insurance benefits reset for the year.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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