Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The amount covered by your insurance for dental implants and gum treatment is determined by your employer's plan. We know that trying to understand your out-of-pocket costs can be confusing, but we are here to help you. Our knowledgeable dental team will work with your insurance company to get as accurate an estimate as possible of what you will pay for dental implants and gum care.

It gets trickier with dental implants because placing them involves several steps. Tooth extraction in preparation for implants is considered a basic procedure, and your insurance plan is likely to cover part of the cost. If you require bone grafting to get the implant, however, some plans will cover it, and others won’t. 

Placing your implant in your jawbone is a major procedure, and some insurances may cover a portion of it. Your implant crown restores function and appearance to your smile, and while some plans cover it as they would a regular crown, others don’t.

Periodontal treatments are also a bit of a grey area because routine teeth cleanings are typically covered, but advanced procedures like gum surgery may or may not be covered.

As you can see, there’s no easy answer, and it all comes back to your insurance carrier. Rest assured that we will review your coverage and ensure you get the maximum benefit you’re entitled to. We also offer CareCredit low-interest and no-interest financing.

If you have questions about your insurance or financing, please call Advanced Periodontics of Washington so we can assist you.

This is one of the most common questions we hear, but a referral is not necessary to see Dr. Levy. He will conduct a comprehensive examination and send the findings in a report to your regular dentist. If you don’t currently have one, we know many excellent general dentists and will be happy to recommend one to you.

Patients who call us directly may already know they have gum disease and need periodontal treatment. Others are interested in perfecting the appearance of their gums to enhance and improve their smiles. We often hear from patients in Washington, DC who want to replace missing teeth with dental implants and would like more information.

Dr. Levy handles all these needs and many others at Advanced Periodontics, and we always enjoy meeting new patients who require our services. You will find that we are a caring and compassionate group of people who understand that you may experience anxiety when visiting a periodontist. Rest assured that the quality of the experience you have is as important to us as the exceptional clinical dentistry we provide.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our Washington periodontist, please call us at (202) 524-4863. We also serve patients in the surrounding communities of Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Arlington, Alexandria, and beyond.

Whatever your needs are, Dr. Levy and our team look forward to meeting them and helping you enjoy a healthier smile. 

The amount covered by your insurance for dental implants and gum treatment is determined by your employer's plan. We know that trying to understand your out-of-pocket costs can be confusing, but we are here to help you. Our knowledgeable dental team will work with your insurance company to get as accurate an estimate as possible of what you will pay for dental implants and gum care.

It gets trickier with dental implants because placing them involves several steps. Tooth extraction in preparation for implants is considered a basic procedure, and your insurance plan is likely to cover part of the cost. If you require bone grafting to get the implant, however, some plans will cover it, and others won’t. 

Placing your implant in your jawbone is a major procedure, and some insurances may cover a portion of it. Your implant crown restores function and appearance to your smile, and while some plans cover it as they would a regular crown, others don’t.

Periodontal treatments are also a bit of a grey area because routine teeth cleanings are typically covered, but advanced procedures like gum surgery may or may not be covered.

As you can see, there’s no easy answer, and it all comes back to your insurance carrier. Rest assured that we will review your coverage and ensure you get the maximum benefit you’re entitled to. We also offer CareCredit low-interest and no-interest financing.

If you have questions about your insurance or financing, please call Advanced Periodontics of Washington so we can assist you.

Yes, we do. If your dentist has referred you to Dr. Levy for advanced gum disease treatment, they often request that we continue treating you during the maintenance phase. These appointments are similar to the dental cleanings you receive from a hygienist.

Since our periodontist is monitoring you, however, he will also re-examine your periodontal findings to ensure you are in stable conditions. If Dr. Levy detects anything new, he will send his findings in a report to your dentist for further evaluation and treatment if necessary.

Maintenance cleanings at our Washington dental office are crucial and should be viewed as part of your overall treatment plan. Even if your gums look and feel okay, you shouldn’t skip even one of these follow-up maintenance cleanings. You have already taken the important first step of seeking advanced treatment for periodontitis; the last thing you want now is to set back your progress and put your teeth and gums at further risk.

If you are due for a dental cleaning and suspect you have periodontal disease, you are welcome to call Advanced Periodontics of Washington directly. Dr. Levy will be happy to perform a preliminary exam, report the findings back to your dentist, and provide treatment if indicated.

Call us at (202) 524-4863, and a member of our dental team will be happy to assist you.

Bleeding gums is one of the common symptoms of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Gingivitis develops when bacteria-filled plaque and tartar buildup along your gums and cause an infection. Along with bleeding gums, swollen, inflamed, or tender gums are all your body’s way of fighting the infection.

Gingivitis is easily treatable by a dental hygienist using a thorough teeth cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. You will also need to improve your brushing and flossing skills, as a heavy plaque buildup is usually a sign of inadequate or improper oral hygiene. 

Without treatment, the plaque buildup causes spaces to open up between your teeth and gums. These are called periodontal pockets, and they are a problem because bacteria get trapped, and the infection starts attacking the bones and structures that support your teeth.

This stage is called periodontitis, and in many cases, Dr. Levy can treat it with a non-surgical deep cleaning procedure. After the deep cleaning, also referred to as scaling and root planing, you will require more frequent maintenance cleanings at our Washington dental office to maintain your gum health.

In advanced cases of periodontitis, we may recommend periodontal pocket surgery. We understand the idea of any gum surgery can be intimidating, but please put your fears to rest. You couldn’t find a more compassionate or genuine group of professionals than Dr. Levy and his caring dental team. 

If you notice symptoms of gum disease, call Advanced Periodontics of Washington so we can provide the prompt treatment you need.

Your dentist and hygienist help you maintain healthy gums with routine dental cleanings every six months. However, once gum disease advances to a certain stage, they may refer you to a periodontist in Washington, DC like Dr. Levy.

Periodontology is a specialty area that deals with the structures that support your teeth and the diseases that affect them, as well as dental implant placement. Additionally, Dr. Levy is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a distinction awarded to periodontists who make significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements for the specialty.

For this reason, Dr. Levy is able to offer advanced gum disease treatment that many dentists can’t, such as periodontal pocket reduction surgery. A periodontist also specializes in dental implants and performs bone grafting and sinus augmentation procedures in preparation for implants. Because the look of your smile is important, Dr. Levy also offers cosmetic gum surgery, including soft tissue grafts for gum recession, gingival recontouring, and treatment for "gummy" smiles.

It is common to have concerns if you have been referred to a periodontist. What's going to happen? Will you need gum surgery? If you do, will it hurt? These questions tell us that it's the fear of the unknown that produces the most anxiety.

Here at Advanced Periodontics of Washington, we are sensitive to these concerns. We address any fears by explaining what you can expect during the procedure and answering all your questions. You will find that Dr. Levy and his team are compassionate and caring and make your comfort a priority.

You don't need a referral to see our periodontist, so you can call us directly at (202) 524-4863 to schedule an appointment. We are also pleased to serve patients in Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Arlington, and Alexandria. 

Dr. Rustin Levy understands that being told you need to see a periodontist for advanced gum treatments can stir up anxious feelings. But with over 20 years of experience as a periodontist, he's found that it's not knowing what to expect that triggers the most anxiety.

It's easy to feel vulnerable in a situation when you don't know what's going to happen next. Our goal at Advanced Periodontics of Washington is to help you relax by giving you back some of the control. 

Our patients find Dr. Levy to be an extremely gentle and compassionate professional, and he wants you to feel comfortable and confident in the care he provides. He will answer all your questions and explain what you can expect during your procedure. Whenever possible, he will use visual aids like digital x-rays and 3-D imaging so you can see the problem with your own eyes.

Understanding why you need advanced gum disease treatment and being informed about what to expect helps because it gives you back some control. It also helps motivate you because you understand the benefits of treatment and the consequences of going without.

We welcome you to bring your earphones to your appointment so you can relax and listen to your own music. Need something more to help calm you? Ask Dr. Levy about prescribing a sedative to take before your procedure. Just remember that with oral sedation, we do require that you have someone to help you get safely to and from our dental practice.

If you need advanced gum care, call Advanced Periodontics of Washington so we can provide the help you need. We are pleased to serve patients in DC and surrounding communities, including Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Arlington, Alexandria, and beyond.

It's common to experience some soreness and swelling the day after gum surgery, but it is not necessary to stay home from work. Over-the-counter pain medications like Advil or ibuprofen are often all that's needed to minimize any discomfort you might experience. Many of our patients are comfortable enough to go back to work the day following their gum surgery.