FAQ
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Does Apex Take Medicare or Medicaid
Unfortunately, we do not participate with them, or any medical insurances for that matter. At this time, we only participate with Dental Insurance PPO plans. For a list of our current insurance participation, click HERE
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Do you offer any payment plans?
Yes! We offer financing options through Care Credit, a 3rd party company that allows you to pay for treatments little by little over the course of 6 to 24 months.
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Should I stop taking my blood thinners beforehand to be prepared for my first visit?
No! Do not stop taking any medications until you have confirmed (1) Your medical doctor who Rx’s the medication says its safe to pause them. And (2) Apex has given you a firm date for treatment. Treatment on the same day as your consultation is never guaranteed.
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My Stitches fell out, is that ok?
Yes. We only use dissolvable stitches that are designed to unravel and fall out on their own. The only instance where this would be a concern is if you had recent bone-grafting, then you should call us the next morning during business hours.
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I'm having a concern after my surgery; what should I do?
Not to worry; many times, the solutions to issues can be found in your aftercare instructions (which can be found HERE).
But never hesitate to call us to run things by our trained staff. In the unlikely event that you aren’t able to get in touch with us, please report to your nearest emergency room. -
Can I fly in an airplane after my surgery.
It is not generally recommended for two reasons. (1) We want you to stay local after surgery for about 1 week, just in case you need to see us for a follow-up. (2) Changes in cabin pressures can cause pain and inflammation in our sinuses.
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My insurance didn't pay what they were supposed to, now what?
Insurance companies are infamous for telling you an estimate of theirs and your responsibility for payment, but then ultimately pay less than expected or have you pay for more than what was estimated.
In the event of denial for non-covered services, our team of expert insurance coordinators will re-submit the claim again with a narrative explaining the necessity of treatment. If there is still no resolution after 90 days from services rendered, we will report the issue to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on your behalf. But unfortunately you will need to make up the cost for what insurance didn’t pay by 90 days. We’ll charge your card on file, but we will continue to help you as much as we can for any eligible reimbursement.
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Do I need to have a follow up after my surgery?
We truly believe in our work, and pride ourselves in our abilities to ensure an excellent outcome. As such, follow-ups for most surgeries are not a routine or reflex practice. However, you are always welcome to have Dr. Cappetta take a look at your surgery sites in case you are having any issues, or just want the peace of mind from a “A+ check up”.
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Can I drive myself home after surgery?
If you are getting twilight sedation or general anesthesia, no, you will need someone to drop you off and pick you up. No uber drivers.
If you are only getting novocaine/local anesthesia with or without laughing gas, then yes, you will be able to drive yourself here and home afterwards.
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Can I book my consultation and my surgery for the same day?
Yes and no. Time allotted for consultations is insufficient for both a consultation and surgery. So Apex will need to explicitly tell you that you can do both in the same visit. This, of course, all depends on a patient’s health, medications they take, and the complexity of their treatment.
These variables are hard to predict and thus It isn’t usual practice for oral surgeons to do both in one visit, but we can make exceptions pending a brief discussion on the phone. Never assume you are getting surgery on the day we meet you for the first time. -
Do I need a referral to be seen at Apex?
With the exception of wisdom teeth management and biopsy evaluations, patients must have a referral for any treatment. A written referral from a referring dentist is essential for an oral surgeon for a few reasons; none of them having anything to do with insurance requirements or authorizations.
First, the referral process enhances patient safety and autonomy in treatment options. By having a documented referral, the oral surgeon can verify that the patient's condition has been evaluated by a qualified provider, and that all other options have been exhausted or thought unfeasible prior to surgery. For example, we’d hate to extract a tooth that could have been saved with a simple filling.
Second, a written referral establishes formal communication between the referring dentist and the oral surgeon. It ensures that all parties are aligned in the correct and accurate coordination of patient care. For example, we wouldn’t want to extract a tooth that you pointed to, when in actuality, your dentist wanted you to get the tooth next to it removed. There is no room for error at Apex!
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Don't I need to take antibiotics before my surgery?
There have been some very recent changes in the appropriate clinical guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis prior to surgery.
As per the American Dental Association; “… [for] patients with prosthetic joint implants, prophylactic antibiotics are not recommended prior to dental procedures to prevent prosthetic joint infection…”
As far as the American Heart Association is concerned; there are only a small subset of patients who would benefit from taking antibiotics prior to procedures. They are; (1) Patients with Prosthetic Valve materials and Ventricular Assist Devices. (2) Patients with a history of Endocarditis. (3) Patients with un-repaired structural heart defects. (4) Patients with a history of a heart transplant. The AHA does NOT recommend antibiotics due to the presence of cardiac stents, pacemakers, defibrillators, or “heart murmurs”.
Dr. Cappetta, at his discretion, usually does give antibiotics prior to patients with immunosuppression, who are in chemotherapy, have had any radiation treatments at or above the neck, or have taken bisphosphonate medications in the last 10 years.