FAQs

For more information about Dr. Thompson and the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery click the Patient Information tab and the Meet Us tab.

What services does Dr. Thompson provide?

We are an oral & maxillofacial surgery practice that provides evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the teeth, soft tissue and bone of the mouth, jaws and facial regions. The specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery involves procedures that include but are not limited to extractions (including impacted wisdom teeth), dental implants, and bone grafts to restore the alveolar ridge. Intravenous sedation and general anesthesia are provided as indicated. Immediate implants at the time of extraction are available in selected cases.

What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Oral and Maxillofacial (Pronounced: Max – i – low – facial) Surgery encompasses the art and science of diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries, deformities, defects and aesthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial area. The word “maxillofacial” refers to the jaws and face.

Do you accept my insurance?

Dr. Thompson accepts all insurance policies, except Medicaid.  We are a contracted Premier Provider for Delta Dental and we take Medicare. (Medicare does not pay for tooth extractions but does reimburse for biopsies, removal of oral growths, and other oral pathology.)

Also note that insurance is not intended and has never been intended to cover the entire cost of your procedure. Insurance is there to assist you with the total fee. You can expect to pay an out of pocket expense on the day of your procedure. Our office will inform you of your copayment, if that information is available, prior to your procedure. Please bring both your dental and medical insurance information with you to your appointment.

REMEMBER: A parent or guardian must accompany ALL patients under 18 years of age at the time of the visit.

Will my insurance cover my procedure?

Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy. Some insurance companies cover a large portion of our fee and others only cover a small percentage. The percentage covered depends on the policy you or your employer have selected. Dental insurance policies have a yearly maximum. Some of this maximum may have already been applied to services provided by your family dentist or other dental provider. This will affect how much your insurance will still cover. A few medical insurance companies may cover your procedure. Medical insurance covers medical procedures (such as biopsies and removal of growths), not dental procedures. If submitting your claim to a medical insurance provider please be aware that you may have a deductible that needs to be met prior to your insurance company paying your claim.

How much will my procedure cost?

Fees vary widely depending on the procedure. The surgical fee for a tooth extraction depends on the coding system developed by the American Dental Association. After Dr. Thompson sees your x-ray we can give you an estimate as to the fee for your procedure, including our best estimate of your co-payment, if you have insurance. Biopsies and other procedures follow a coding system established by the American Medical Association. These fees vary based on the procedure. As we determine your particular situation we will be able to give you a good estimate of the fee.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, and credit cards including VISA, Mastercard, and Discover. We accept HSA cards, debit cards, and Care Credit.

Do you have a payment plan?

We use a company called Care Credit to handle your account if you would like to establish a payment plan. Click on  the Financial Information tab on our website for a link to the Care Credit website.

What x-rays will I need to have?

We will need an up to date “surgical x-ray” for treatment. We may need to take our own surgical x-ray even if your dentist has previously taken an x-ray. If your dentist has x-rays we will attempt to obtain those from your dentist ahead of time so that we can determine if they will be diagnostic for oral surgery purposes. An up to date panoramic/panorex x-ray is needed for wisdom tooth removal.

If I have a question after hours how do I reach the doctor?

Dr. Thompson has a 24 hour answering service for patients who have had oral surgery in our office. Dr. Thompson can be reached through the Community Howard Regional Hospital switchboard at (765) 776-3999.

Do I need a consultation appointment?

All patients who plan to schedule for IV sedation anesthesia must have a separate consultation appointment first. We must also discuss implant and bone graft procedures with you at an appointment prior to your surgery appointment. An implant consultation may be a separate consultation appointment or the implant discussion may take place at the time of your tooth extraction. Our office will be sure to schedule you for a consultation, if indicated, when you call our office.  A parent or guardian must accompany ALL patients under 18 years of age at the time of the visit.

Even if the patient is, for example, 24 years of age, if the parents are financially responsible for the procedure the parent must accompany the patient to the consultation.

What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?

If you have medical or dental insurance please bring your insurance cards. Bring a list of medications that you are currently taking. If your dentist has given you a referral slip or x-rays to transport please bring those. You may view and print our patient information sheet at the Patient Registration tab on this website. Fill it out and bring it with you when you come. Please be sure to tell us at the time you schedule your appointment if you have had an artificial joint replacement, are taking blood thinners, have any other special medical considerations, or are allergic to any medicines.

If I am under 18 years of age can I come by myself to the appointment?

A parent or guardian must accompany ALL patients under 18 years of age at the time of the visit.

 

Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor or family dentist to see Dr. Thompson?

Patients may schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson without a referral from anyone. If you have a family dentist, it is ideal that you have a referral to ensure good communication between Dr. Thompson and your dentist.

Will Dr. Thompson clean, fill, or whiten my teeth?

Dr. Thompson is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and as such, does not clean, fill or whiten teeth, make dentures, or place braces.

What does it mean to be Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?

Dr. Thompson graduated from an accredited dental school and is licensed in the state of Indiana. In addition, Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat patients in the hospital, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and in private offices.

The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is recognized by the American Dental Association as the specialty board for oral and maxillofacial surgery. The Board is responsible for reviewing all applicants for board certification as well as administering the examinations involved in the certification process.

In order to become board certified, an individual must complete an intensive application and examination process. Applicants for board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery must provide verified written evidence of their educational and training qualifications. In addition, these individuals must provide evidence of their experience in all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Letters of recommendation from board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons attesting to an applicant’s acceptable ethical and moral standing in the profession and community are also required as part of the certification procedure.

Finally, Dr. Thompson was required to pass a thorough written qualifying examination and a rigorous oral certifying examination to be certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Diplomates are required to maintain current competency which includes ongoing continuing education. In addition, diplomates are recertified in current competency every ten years in a certification maintenance program consisting of multiple examinations, maintenance of hospital privileges in good standing, specialty procedures, and continuing education. The Board Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon has a demonstrated commitment to continued professional development.