Estela Vargas[email protected]InsuranceCoding for maintenance and repair of dental implantsCertain clinical situations present dilemmas for dentists and insurance coordinators. Coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, reviews which codes you should use and why.December 14, 2023Patient CommunicationGet comfortable firing troublesome patientsDentists have the right to dismiss a patient when differences can’t be resolved or the patient’s behavior is unacceptable. Estela Vargas, CRDH, outlines how to fire a difficult patient.December 7, 2023InsuranceAppealing gingivectomy claims: Read the fine printMultiple factors affect whether insurers will approve your gingivectomy claim, writes dental coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH. Follow these tips with insurers and patients when performing these services.November 16, 2023InsuranceAvoiding insurance denials for crownsCoding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, shares tips to get your crown claim paid the first time it’s submitted.July 6, 2023Dental HygieneThe dental hygienist’s role in recommending, applying, and billing SDFA new Current Procedural Terminology code for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) goes into effect July 1. Here's what you need to know.June 7, 2023InsuranceHow to correctly code an intentional coronectomyCoding for a coronectomy can confuse dentists and insurance coordinators and lead to claim denials. Though the code for an intentional partial tooth removal has been in the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature code set for a decade, it often isn't used correctly. In this column, Estela Vargas shares how to get it right.September 13, 2022InsuranceHow to code 3/4 crownsCode what you do is the rule. But first, you must know whether what you think you are coding is actually what was performed on the patient, particularly when it comes to inlays, onlays, and three-quarter crowns. Coding expert Estela Vargas shares eight tips to help increase your chances of getting paid.June 21, 2022InsuranceHow to code implant- and abutment-supported crownsA standard Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature coding error is documenting and reporting implant- and abutment-supported crowns, writes coding expert Estela Vargas. Vargas explains the difference between these two types of crowns and shares why knowing the distinction is essential to avoiding denials and claim payment delays.May 11, 2022InsuranceThe keys to coding crown lengthening and crown exposureDid you perform crown lengthening (D4249) or crown exposure (D4212) on a tooth? Often, there is confusion about which of these procedures is correct when it comes to coding treatment, and mixing them up could cost you and your practice.April 20, 2022Insurance2 important code changes coming in 2023On January 1, 2023, a big change is coming to two Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature codes related to intraoral radiographs and full-mouth debridement. Coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, shares what you need to know.April 7, 2022Previous PagePage 2 of 2Top StoriesPeriodonticsSmoking, drinking, depression affect gum disease riskAlone and together, lifestyle factors like smoking, excessive drinking, and depression may significantly affect the risk of developing periodontitis, according to a study published on May 6 in BMC Oral Health.PodcastsPodcast: Estela Vargas dives deeper into dental practices getting paid for oral cancer screeningsLegal Issues$10M offered to nab cybergang kingpin involved in MCNA Dental hackOral-Systemic LinkTrouble keeping an erection? The culprit may be in your mouthSponsor ContentWhat dental technologies deliver the greatest practice revenue opportunities?