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Hurry -- Benefits End Soon!
12.30.13
New Office Hours for 2014
Our practice's office hours will change once we reopen after our holiday break on January 6th. Our new hours will be:
Monday -- 7 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday -- 10 am to 7 pm
Wednesday -- 7 am to 3:30 pm
First Friday of every month -- 9 am to 2 pm
We will still be open four Saturdays a year for the convenience of our patients who are unable to schedule appointments during the work week. These additional office hours are 8 am until 1 pm on the third Saturday of the month in March, April, September and October.
Don't forget Saturdays fill up quickly, so if you know you require a Saturday appointment, it's never too early to call and reserve your time at 734-677-2156.
Although we will not have office hours on Thursdays, we will have phone coverage from 9 am to 3 pm, and Dr. Kotre will be available for emergencies to her patients of record.
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Dr. Kotre's New Website
We are pleased to announce that our newly-redesigned website is up, and we'd love to hear your thoughts. Please feel to send us a note via our contact form with any feedback you may have. We hope you like the change as much as we do!
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Use Expiring Dental Benefits
As the year draws to a close, dental benefits, along with other insurance benefits, are beginning to expire. While some plans close at the end of the year, many follow a different calendar, with benefits expiration occurring at different times of the year. The end of January, February and March are all common benefit expiration windows.
If you are due for an exam and cleaning, we urge you to use thesedental benefits for which you have already paid. Most dental insurance policies cover semi-annual preventative dental check ups at 100%. It makes sense to not let the opportunity for better dental and overall health go to waste.
Call 734-677-2156 to schedule your appointment, and keep reading for our January special that may be just the encouragement you need to reserve your space soon!
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Whitening Special
As a special incentive to get our patients into our office and using their 2013 dental benefits before they expire, we are offering an amazing discount on in-office whitening.
When you call and schedule an appointment* for preventative or restorative dental care this month for January or February, you will have the option to receive professional whitening** during the same appointment for 25% off.
This is one of the biggest discounts we offer on whitening, and likely the best discount we'll make available in 2014, so take advantage of this money-saving opportunity while you can.
Call 734-677-2156 for more information or to make an appointment, or visit our website and send us an email via our contact form.
*Please note that your discount whitening must be scheduled when you make your preventative or restorative dental care appointment. We are unable to provide whitening services without notice.
**We regret that dental insurance policies and FSAs/HSAs do not cover whitening or most other cosmetic procedures.
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Our Angel Tree is Ready!
12.02.13
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Food Drive Results
We are truly thankful for our wonderful community of patients all year round, but your spirit of giving could not be more pronounced than during the holiday season. Thanks to you, our annual Salvation Army food drive "Give Food to Get Food" was a great success.
The drive ended on Tuesday, November 26th, and the drawing for the winning donors will be held today. Watch your email boxes and ourFacebook page for the results!
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Holiday Hours
Christmas is just a bit over three weeks away; the late Turkey Day certainly seems to have shortened the holiday season this year! With the Christmas holiday coming up quickly, we wanted to let our patients know our holiday schedule for December and early January.
We will be closed starting Monday, December 23rd, and we will not reopen until Monday, January 6th.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we will be scheduling a back up dental provider for the days we are closed. Please call our office at 734-677-2156, and the emergency provider's number will be available on our voice mail.
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Wisdom Teeth
Did you know?
Conventional wisdom states that just about everyone should have their wisdom teeth either pulled, or extracted, usually by the time an individual is college aged. But is the extraction of wisdom teeth truly the best thing for everyone?
The truth is, wisdom teeth extraction, for most people, is likely necessary. However, it's certainly not always required. Much depends on individual anatomy, and the effect wisdom teeth are having on the general health and wellness of the patient. In fact, there are even a few experts that say wisdom teeth should never be extracted at all.
How do you know if you should consider wisdom teeth extraction?
Read our blog post to find out...
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'Tis the Season to Be an Angel
Our 2012 Angel Tree campaign was successful beyond our wildest imaginings. We are hoping to replicate those amazing results this year by inviting our patients to again be part of our Angel Tree tradition by assisting those in need during this special time of year.
When you visit our office beginning today, December 2nd, you will have the opportunity to select a tag from the Angel Tree. Each tag represents the wishes of a real child or youth (toys, clothes, books, hats and gloves) in the greater Washtenaw area. Unlike a toy drive, the Angel Tree program fulfills families' and children's specific needs and wishes for the holiday season.
We must deliver our Angel Tree donations to the Salvation Army by December 16th, so all donated items must be at our office by 3 pm that day in order to meet the deadline.
We are honored to be able to help provide gifts to families in need who would otherwise be left out during the holidays, and look forward to a strong turnout from our patient family. Please give us a call at 734-677-2156 for more information.
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Give Food to Get Food
We are proud of our commitment to the community, and are pleased to announce the start of our 2013 Salvation Army food drive!
In honor of this very important event, we are featuring a special contest -- "Give Food to Get Food." For each item donated to the drive, donors will receive an entry into our raffle.
First prize is a $25 gift card for Darden Restaurant Group. This gift card can be used at Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Red Lobster, and Longhorn Steakhouse.
Our second prize winner will receive an Oral-B Vitality toothbrush, also valued at $25.
The drive will end on Tuesday, November 26th, and the drawing will be held December 2nd and the winner notified by email or phone. You don't need to be a patient to donate, so please feel free to forward this email to family and friends and let them know how they can help this great cause.
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Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving is only four weeks way -- hooray for Turkey Day! Please note that although we are open during our normal office hours Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, we will be closed Wednesday through Friday. We will reopen the following Monday, December 2nd.
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Dental Emergencies
Did you know?
Our office handles many types of dental emergencies, and we can often get patients in to see Dr. Kotre very quickly if we are notified of a problem.
Mouth injuries are common, and can be quite frightening. Injuries to the teeth, gums, and other soft tissues in the mouth often bleed copiously, even when they are not serious, leading to panic, especially in parents who have found themselves caring for a child with a mouth injury. Luckily, mouth injuries and issues are usually easily treated, often just with home care. And even those injuries requiring an emergency trip to the dentist or doctor will generally heal quickly. The mouth is one of the fastest-healing areas of the body. Read more...
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'Tis the Season to Be an Angel
Many of you may remember the incredible success of our Salvation Army Angel Tree last holiday season. This year, we are hoping to replicate those amazing results by again placing an Angel Tree in our lobby, and inviting our patients to do what they can to assist those in need during this special time of year.
When you visit our office between December 2nd and December 19th, you will have the opportunity to select a tag from the Angel Tree. Each tag represents the wishes of a real child or youth (toys, clothes, books, hats and gloves) in the greater Washtenaw area. Unlike a toy drive, the Angel Tree program fulfills families' and children's specific needs and wishes for the holiday season.
We are honored to be able to help provide gifts to families in need who would otherwise be left out during the holidays, and look forward to a strong turnout from our patient family. Please give us a call at 734-677-2156 for more information.
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October = Starbucks + Straighter Smiles
10.01.13
October Invisalign Day
Do you often wish you had a more beautiful smile?
On October 23rd, a VERY limited number of appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for a one-on-one Invisalign consultation and assessment with Dr. Kotre, including one day only financial incentives for those who decide to go forward with Invisalign treatment. An Invisalign rep will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
As a special incentive, we will be offering exceptional pricing for patients who schedule a consultation and opt for treatment on Invisalign Day:
-- For those opting for full Invisalign treatment, a $500 matching down payment incentive will be available.
-- For patients who choose Invisalign express treatment, we are offering a $250 matching down payment.
-- Special financing through Care Credit will be available, and a $250 matching down payment will also be available to those opting for this form of payment.
Don't forget -- FSA and HSA funds can also be used for Invisalign treatment. Put those hard-earned pre-tax dollars to work for you!
Please note -- we've barely started marketing this event and appointment times are already filling up. If you need a specific time, please be sure to let us know ASAP by calling the office at 734-677-2156 so we can accommodate you. You can also register for Invisalign Day on our Facebook event page.
See you on October 23rd!
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Halloween Is Scary For Teeth
We can honestly say we've met very few people who don't enjoy Halloween, and who can blame them? Piles of delicious candy filling the house everywhere for weeks (and even months!)? Sounds like a dream come true!
While we don't discourage indulging (let's just say we have a number of those with a sweet tooth in our own office), we do like to be sure that our patients know about alternatives to sugary Halloween treats.
Here are our Top 10 ideas for making Halloween a little healthier:
1. Stickers - inexpensive, colorful, and fun, there's hardly a kid around who can resist the offer of a special sticker
2. Halloween pencils or erasers
3. Vampire or monster teeth
4. Temporary tattoos
5. Super-bouncy rubber balls
6. Halloween rings, such as spiders or eyeballs
7. Silly Bandz, one of the biggest kids' trends around right now
8. Glow sticks
9. Sidewalk chalk or crayons
10. Bubbles
And if you absolutely insist that Halloween treats be edible, try passing out a sugar-free gum sweetened by Xylitol, instead.
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"Like" Us For Starbucks!
Last month's contest and subsequent prize drawing was a smashing success (congratulations on your correct answers and winning the drawing, Lisa D.!). So we decided to come up with another way to get our patients the delicious Starbucks coffee they know and love. ;)
Simply visit our Facebook page and "like" us by next Wednesday, October 9th, and you'll be entered to win a $20 Starbucks gift card. Make sure you post a quick message on our wall so we know to enter you in the drawing. The winner will be randomly drawn on Thursday, the 10th. Be sure to check your Facebook messages to find out if you're our latest gift card winner!
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Win a Starbucks Gift Card!
08.29.13
Dental Laser Treatment
We are excited to announce that our staff members have completed their training and certifications for our new soft tissue laser. The laser will allow us to more comfortably and quickly treat many different issues, including periodontal infections; cold and canker sore infections; and sensitive teeth, just to name a few.
We will be incorporating it into our practice over the next several months. If you are interested in finding out how this new technology may be of help to you, please give us a call at 734-677-2156.
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October Invisalign Day
Do you often wish you had a more beautiful smile? Then keep an eye out for our upcoming Invisalign Day. On October 23rd, a limited number of appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for a one-on-one Invisalign consultation and assessment with Dr. Kotre. An Invisalign rep will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
As spots have always filled up quickly in the past, we are letting our current patients know ahead of time before we open up appointment times to the general public. If you'd like to reserve your time to be seen, please give the office a call at 734-677-2156 as soon as possible.
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We've Gone Digital!
During your next visit, you may notice a big change. We've begun implementing digital records management, which we believe will streamline our practice and result in time savings for both our staff, and our patient family. If you have questions about our new system, we encourage you to call us at 734-677-2156, or via our website's contact form.
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Win A Starbucks Gift Card!
Occasionally, we will be running contests to find out which of our readers really has an eye for detail :) This month, when you respond directly to this email with the answers to the following three questions (all of which can be found in this very newsletter), you'll be entered into a contest to win a $20 Starbucks gift card!
So tell us:
1) One condition our new laser treats
2) What new practice-streamlining technology are we currently implementing
3) What is the date of our Invisalign Day
Entries are due by Wednesday, September 4th. The drawing will be held on Thursday, September 5th, and the winner will be notified by email. Good luck to all of our entrants!
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Bleaching Blowout!
07.25.13
Be Rewarded
Have you needed a new crown or crown replacement but been reluctant to schedule an appointment? We have the perfect incentive!
During the month of August, all patients with completed crowns will receive a free OralB Vitality Floss Action electric toothbrush, valued at more than $25.
Give us a call at 734-677-2156 and schedule your appointment today!
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Back-To-School Raffle
You can practically smell the scent of school supplies wafting through the air this time of year, which means it's almost time for kids to go back to school!
This year, we're asking kids age eight and older to donate one school supply item, such as pencils, pens, markers, etc. With that donation, each child will receive one entry into our backpack raffle.
This awesome string-style sack will be packed with dental goodies, including an electric toothbrush!
All school supplies will be donated to the winner's school.
Want more details? Additional information is available by calling the office at 734-677-2156.
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Bleaching Blowout!
Have you always wanted to have your teeth bleached, but haven't been able to make the time? Our latest special is just what you've been waiting for!
If you schedule an appointment this month for an August or September cleaning, you will have the opportunity to receive teeth bleaching at the same time for a heavily discounted price -- 30% off!
Give us a call today at 734-677-2156 for more information, or to make an appointment. August is almost full and September is filling up fast.
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Custom Mouth Guards Only $25!
06.27.13
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Helping Those In Need
We are proud to announce that we recently finished another case for Donated Dental through the State of Michigan, which is an organization we support annually with pro bono dental care. Dr. Kotre believes deeply in public service, and putting that belief into practice is one of our core values.
Donated Dental's mission is to provide access to oral health care and education for those who would not generally be able to afford it. You can read more about them on their website.
In addition to our work with Donated Dental, we also participate in theMIChild program sponsored by Delta Dental. MIChild provides dental care to children who are covered under Medicare through the State of Michigan. We have been participating with MIChild since its inception, and are proud to continue to support this program whenever possible.
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Affordable Mouth Guards
We have many patients who participate in team sports. As a former high school athlete, Dr. Kotre is dedicated to preserving her patients' dental health both via education, and prevention.
One of the easiest, most affordable ways to prevent dental injuries is by purchasing a mouth guard. We are able to fabricate a custom mouth guard for only $25. The proper fit provided by a custom mouth guard can mean the difference between excellent and mediocre protection against injury.
In addition, if you or your children are involved in a team sport, we are offering a discount program that will outfit the entire team with mouth guards at once for just $20 each.
We have already seen several kids with serious mouth trauma this year. The effects are often both painful and expensive. We would love to see all children (and adults!) who play sports be properly protected from these types of injuries. Please give us a call at 734-677-2156 for more information or to schedule an appointment for a mouth guard fitting.
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Free Beach Balls!
To help kick-off summer right, we're giving away a free beach ball at each visit as a special treat for our youngest patients. Parents and guardians, don't forget to have your child pick one out of our "treasure chest" after their appointment! :)
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Have a safe, happy and fun July 4th!
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Enter to Win!
05.27.13
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July Is Full!
If you are planning on booking an appointment for yourself or your family members this summer, please note that our schedule is already booked up through the end of July. Please give us a call at 734-677-2156 as soon as possible if you require an appointment before school starts up again this fall.
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Cold Sore Soother
Do you suffer from cold sores? We are pleased to introduce Xerese, a new product available via prescription. Xerese helps treat cold sores and allows them to heal faster.
If you would like to try Xerese, we have samples available in the office, and also coupons for a $20 copay for those with prescription coverage. Give us a call today at 734-677-2156 for more information, or to reserve a sample or coupon.
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Win An Electric Toothbrush!
We love having the chance to interact with our patients, and contests are one of the most fun ways to do so. This month, we're giving you two ways to win!
Contest #1: **"Like" us on Facebook, or **"follow" us on Twitter, then send us a message via either of these sources with your guess at the amount of games the Tigers will win during the month of June. The closest correct guess gets a Sonicare HealthyWhite electric toothbrush (retail value: $129.99), while the second closest guess will receive an OralB Vitality Pro White toothbrush (retail value: $25.00+). All entries must be received by June 15th in order to qualify.
(**Please note -- for the above contest, you MUST "like" or "follow" us -- not just send a message.)
Contest #2: Review our practice on Google through the end of June, and you'll also be entered to win one of the above brushes!
For more details on these great new contests, please visit our website, or give us a call at 734-677-2156.
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Dental Emergency? Try Dentemp
On vacation and have a minor dental emergency? A stop by your local drugstore may be all you need for a quick fix. Dentemp makes two over-the-counter products that can help temporarily repair minor dental problems such as broken fillings or crowns. Once you're back in town, however, don't forget to give us a call to make that temporary fix, permanent!
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Amazing Whitening Special!
4.25.13
$25 Electric Toothbrushes
We currently have a very limited quantity of the Oral B Vitality electric toothbrush available. This is a great "starter" electric toothbrush that allows you to get an idea of their advantages without having to spend more than you might like. They are also an excellent investment in children's dental health.
If you are interested in purchasing a Vitality brush, please give us a call at 734-677-2156 to reserve one before they're all gone!
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Spring Bleach Special
With all of the special events coming up in late spring and early summer, such as prom and graduation**, now is the perfect time to take advantage of our spring bleach special. During the month of May, in-office whitening will be available for only $145 -- a savings of more than $65!
Dr. Kotre uses the DASH teeth whitening system, which is both simple and quick, with an appointment lasting only about an hour and fifteen minutes. DASH whitening can be done as often as every six months, but the results from a single treatment can last up to 18 months.
Give the office a call at 734-677-2156 to schedule your appointment, and get on the path to a brighter, whiter smile today.
**Please note that whitening is only available for our patients who are age 15 and older.
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Kids Require Parental Presence
Our patients are truly like family to us. So many of you have been with our practice for a decade or more, and it's given us the amazing chance to see people we've treated as kids have kids of their own!
We are so very honored that we often feel like family to our patients as well, even to the extent that parents sometimes feel comfortable enough to drop off their children with us for treatment without their on-site presence. Unfortunately, we are required by law to have a parent or guardian present during appointments for all children under age 18.
We appreciate you all so much, and thank you in advance for your understanding!
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Great News!
Those of you who have been with our practice over the years likely know Sharon, our lead hygienist. We would like to take a moment to congratulate her on the impending arrival of her very first grandchild, who will be born to her daughter in October.
Welcome to grandmother-hood, Sharon!
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Free Oral Cancer Screenings
03.29.13
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Oral Cancer Awareness
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. To mark this important event, we are offering free Identifi oral cancer screenings (an $80 value), which help identify early-stage oral cancers. If you would like the screening, it will be available during any scheduled check up. For additional information, please give the office a call at 734-677-2156.
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Facts About Oral Cancer
Did you know?
Nearly 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year.
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It will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day.
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Of those 40,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years (approximately 57%).
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The mortality rate for oral cancer has not significantly improved in decades.
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The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about routinely such as cervical cancer, testicular cancer, and skin cancer.
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Worldwide, oral cancer rates are even higher, with over 640,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
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Historically, the death rate associated with oral cancer is particularly high not because it is difficult to diagnose, but because the cancer is routinely discovered late in its development, when it has already metastasized to other areas of the body, often the lymph nodes.
Early diagnosis is the key to positive outcomes after a diagnosis of oral cancer. Our free Identifi oral cancer screening will be available for the entire month of April during all regularly scheduled check ups. Call today to make an appointment at 734-677-2156.
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Oral Cancer and You
Who is at risk for developing oral cancer?
Tobacco users are one population at much greater risk for developing oral cancer than non-users. For example:
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Cigarette, cigar, or pipe smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
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Users of dip, snuff, chewing or other smokeless tobacco products are 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the cheek, gums, and lining of the lips.
Other risk factors include:
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Family history of cancer
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Excessive use of alcohol
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Excessive sun exposure, especially at a young age
The key to beating oral cancer is early detection. Regular preventative dental appointments, at least twice a year, will go a long way towards making sure any changes or issues are identified early on. For more information on oral cancer, you can check out these excellent resources:
If you have concerns about your risk of developing oral cancer, we are happy to speak with you. Please give us call at 734-677-2156.
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March Means Big Savings!
02.28.13
Luck O' The Irish
Is there a dental service that you've needed or wanted that's not covered by insurance, such as whitening or veneers? Well you're in luck! During the month of March, when you schedule an appointment for a non-covered procedure, you'll have the opportunity to draw a coupon on the day of your appointment that will get you a discount of 10%, 15%, or even 20% off!
Don't need any work completed, but you've been coveting a new electric toothbrush or other product? You can come in and draw a discount as well.
Give us a call at 734-677-2156 for more information or to schedule your appointment.
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$500 Off Invisalign
Held over from February!
Would you like to improve your smile but don't require major work to do so? Invisalign is now offering a five "aligner" program which will allow us to treat minor alignment issues, such as spacing, crowding and orthodontic relapse. The program also includes the Invisalign retainer plan (4 sets of final retainers).
During the month of March, we are offering this new Invisalign program for a huge introductory discount -- $500 off!* Other Invisalign products will also be discounted during this time. Don't forget, you can use FSA or HSA funds to pay for Invisalign, and we also offer CareCredit for those who would like to finance their treatment.
Please give our office a call for details or to schedule a free complimentary consultation at 734-677-2156.
*If further refinement is needed or desired, additional fees apply.
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March Madness!
We are pleased to be able to offer the newest product from Sonicare, the AirFloss. The AirFloss is a gentle, yet powerful way to clean in-between teeth, and removes up to 99% more plaque than brushing alone. The AirFloss is now available for purchase in our office for the amazing price of $65 (not even Amazon sells it for less)!
This month, help us celebrate March Madness by entering our contest to win an AirFloss of your own via our Facebook page. Just "like" our page, and message us with your prediction for the winner of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship (and the total final score in case we have need of a tie-breaker) by March 18th. Whomever guesses correctly will win the AirFloss.
Already "liked" our page? You can still enter, too!
For more information, give us a call at 734-677-2156.
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Aging and Dental Health
Interested in the effects of aging on your dental health?
We recently featured a series of articles on our blog about the ways in which teeth and oral health can change over time, and what can be done to correct or reverse these issues. Subjects covered include:
Questions about how your oral health has been affected by aging? Give our office a call today at 734-677-2156 to discuss any issues you may have, and what can be done to give you your healthy, confident smile back.
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Free Electric toothbrushes + Huge Invisalign Sale
1.31.2013
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Focus On Children
It's that time again! February is National Children's Dental Health Month. With the theme "Get a Gold Medal Smile," the American Dental Association has come up with a great campaign to help both parents and professionals educate kids about the importance of maintaining good dental health. For more information on this great new initiative, including great activities for kids, check out the ADA's page.
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$500 Off Invisalign!
Would you like to improve your smile but don't require major work to do so? Invisalign is now offering a five "aligner" program which will allow us to treat minor alignment issues, such as spacing, crowding and orthodontic relapse. The program also includes the Invisalign retainer plan (4 sets of final retainers).
During the month of February, we are offering this new Invisalign program for a huge introductory discount -- $500 off!* Other Invisalign products will also be discounted during this time. Don't forget, you can use FSA or HSA funds to pay for Invisalign, and we also offerCareCredit for those who would like to finance their treatment.
Please give our office a call for details or to schedule a free complimentary consultation at 734-677-2156.
*If further refinement is needed or desired, additional fees apply.
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Limited Appointments
Ann Arbor public schools' winter break is coming up fast. We still have appointments available but they are almost gone! Please contact us either by phone at 734-677-2156 or via our website to schedule an appointment for your kids so they can be seen without having to miss time in the classroom.
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Office Incentives
We are excited to announce a great new incentive for February.
When you come in for a check up and cleaning during our special "toothbrush hours" -- 11:00 am--2:00 pm -- you will receive a free Oral B Vitality Electric Toothbrush at your visit. Kids are also included in this deal! Plus, all month long, children who are seen for a check up will receive a special (sugar-free!) treat in honor of Valentine's Day.
Call us today at 734-677-2156 to book your appointment before they're all gone!
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