Estela Vargas

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Correcting alveoloplasty coding calamities
After a claim was denied by the insurance plan because the "claim failed the ADA code validation," Estela Vargas, CRDH, explains what went wrong and how the claim can be resolved.
February 1, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Legal Issues
The dangers for dentists of avoiding a signed informed consent
Dental professionals should respect patients' autonomy and freedom to make decisions about their health by giving them as much information as possible and the opportunity to comprehend the proposed services, writes Estela Vargas, CRDH.
January 16, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Team Management
How to create a dentist-dental hygienist dynamic duo
Creating a dynamic duo comprising a dentist and dental hygienist involves the work and commitment of both parties. A collaboration between the dentist(s) and hygienist(s) must be developed before they can diagnose as a team, writes Estela Vargas, CRDH.
January 9, 2024
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Coding for maintenance and repair of dental implants
Certain clinical situations present dilemmas for dentists and insurance coordinators. Coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, reviews which codes you should use and why.
December 14, 2023
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Patient Communication
Get comfortable firing troublesome patients
Dentists 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, 2023
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Appealing gingivectomy claims: Read the fine print
Multiple 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, 2023
Estela Vargas, CRDH.
Insurance
Avoiding insurance denials for crowns
Coding expert Estela Vargas, CRDH, shares tips to get your crown claim paid the first time it’s submitted.
July 6, 2023
Coding Billing Woman
Dental Hygiene
The dental hygienist’s role in recommending, applying, and billing SDF
A new Current Procedural Terminology code for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) goes into effect July 1. Here's what you need to know.
June 7, 2023
Estela Vargas.
Insurance
How to correctly code an intentional coronectomy
Coding 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, 2022
2022 04 08 16 47 4860 2022 04 08 Vargas Estela 400
Insurance
How to code 3/4 crowns
Code 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, 2022
2022 04 08 16 47 4860 2022 04 08 Vargas Estela 400
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Top Stories
Woman Handcuffs
Legal Issues
Fake dental assistant accused of disfiguring woman arrested again
An unqualified dental assistant was arrested again.
Dr Bicuspid Podcast 400
Podcasts
Dental romance: Risks and professional boundaries revealed
Ceramic Dental Bridge Sebra
Imaging & CAD/CAM
Do you know how well CAD/CAM dental restorations survive?
Portable X Ray Oleksandra
Imaging & CAD/CAM
How dental assistants can take better x-rays every time
Escape the PPO Trap: Take Back Control of Your Practice
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Escape the PPO Trap: Take Back Control of Your Practice
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What's in your mouth makes you pack on the pounds? Maybe
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A new Cell Reports study suggests patients with obesity have unique oral microbiomes and metabolites linked to cardiometabolic disease markers.
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A slogan fit for the New England Patriots and dentistry
By Ann-Marie DePalma
"Believe it before you see it" applies to football and dentistry, where success hinges on aligned teams, consistent leadership, and a focus on excellence in patient care, writes Ann-Marie DePalma.
February 2, 2026
Operatory Football Field Level Up
KaVo DIAGNOcam: The next-gen cavity diagnosis tool
By Dr. Ankur Gupta
Learn from Dr. Ankur Gupta of Catapult Education how DIAGNOcam by KaVo has revolutionized cavity detection in his practice with its advanced features.
February 2, 2026
Figure 1: I don’t think I sealed that gingival margin.
Do’s and don’ts for offsetting inflation
By Dr. Roger P. Levin
With inflation squeezing margins, practices must increase production and decrease overhead. Dr. Roger P. Levin shares his tips for doing both with minimal stress.
February 2, 2026
Levin Practice Success 400
Imposter dentist pleads not guilty to scamming patients
By Melissa Busch
A man who allegedly scammed clients out of $4 million while illegally practicing dentistry without a license has pleaded not guilty.
January 30, 2026
Gavel Scale Lawsuit Westock
These addictions may be tied to TMDs
By Ava Barros
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may be associated with higher rates of certain addictions among university students, according to a BMC Oral Health study.
January 30, 2026
Cigarette Smoker Closeup
The billing problems dental practices are carrying, and how to stop repeating them
By Ashley Bond
Break the cycle of billing chaos with better systems that reduce rework and create predictability in 2026, writes Ashley Bond.
January 30, 2026
Dental Billing Africa Studio
The 'credit invisible' problem in dental care
By Max Axler
Nearly half of U.S. adults worry about dental care costs. Holistic credit assessment technology can help 45 million 'credit invisible' Americans access necessary treatment, writes Max Axler.
January 30, 2026
Woman Bill Stressed Andrii Zastrozhnov
Dentist charged with arson
By Melissa Busch
A dentist was charged with arson for allegedly causing an explosion at his dental practice, which is now permanently closed.
January 29, 2026
Fire Rescue Tape Stephen
How testosterone may hurt your chances of straight teeth
By Melissa Busch
Disruptions in testosterone levels may affect orthodontic tooth movement, according to a new study.
January 29, 2026
Steroid Injection Catalin Pop
Podcast: The essential role of dental office managers as COOs
By Kevin Henry
The office manager role is evolving, and Dr. Roger P. Levin believes it's time clinicians appreciate the valuable potential the position holds.
January 29, 2026
Dr Bicuspid Podcast 400
Do you know which patients are at greater risk of dental pain?
By Ava Barros
Research suggests the roots of tooth pain may lie in social and maternal education gaps, reports a study published in the Journal of Dentistry.
January 29, 2026
Man Jaw Tooth Pain
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