People rarely think about the timing of their dental visit until they realize they have lost their benefits. Your smile is worth more than just being taken care of; it is worth wise planning. Having an idea of the best time for dental visits will allow you to get the maximum insurance coverage, save money, and keep your oral health in check all year round.

Here at Watson Orthodontics, prevention is always better than a cure. The secret is timing, so that you can take advantage of your dental insurance before it runs out.

Early in the Year: Start Strong

The start of the year is ideal to restart your orthodontic health habit. Many insurance policies renew in January, and that implies your annual limit and deductible are back to zero. Getting an appointment early allows you:

• Catch up on missed exams
• Plan for any bigger treatments during the year
• Space out visits to prevent year-end crowding

Beginning early gives you and your orthodontist more options to schedule treatment – especially if you will need to have multiple visits or a series of treatments that can last many months.

Mid-Year Checkups: Stay Consistent

A mid-year checkup keeps your orthodontic health in a steady state and avoids unexpected problems down the road. In June or July, it is tempting to let things get hectic with schedules and forego appointments. But your mid-year visits are your check-in time. They ensure your orthodontic health is in a pristine state before issues pop up.

This is also an excellent time to review your dental insurance, confirm your dental coverage, and scan your dental insurance calendar to see what benefits are left. Monitoring your plan helps you use your benefits and not have them expire at the end of the year.

Fall and Winter: Beat the Rush

As the year winds down, most dental offices fill up fast. People suddenly remember the “use it or lose it” rule and rush to book their final appointments. By scheduling in early fall, you’ll avoid the December scramble and still have enough time to complete any necessary treatments before benefits reset.

Fall vacation visits are also ideal for families. Kids are in school routines again, and you can arrange appointments during vacation or holiday time. This ensures everyone has healthy smiles before the holidays.

Orthodontic health won’t wait indefinitely. Cavities, gum disease, and plaque all get worse over time – not suddenly, but incrementally. By stretching visits out strategically, you’re proactive instead of reactive. Timely follow-ups prevent more costly and invasive treatments later.

Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits

Your smile shouldn’t wait until something hurts or looks unusual. Making appointments for the optimum time to get work completed keeps you one step ahead, saves you money, and leaves you with a healthy, happy smile.

Don’t delay too long – your benefits have value, but they’re not permanent. Book your follow-up appointment with Watson Orthodontics today for smart use of your coverage.