Patient resources
Patient FAQs
Answers to help you feel at home, prepared, and confident about your care.
Here to help
Good questions deserve clear answers
Explore common questions about your visit, dental insurance, and payment options. For more detail about costs, visit our Insurance & Financing page.
01 / Getting started
Visits & care
Everything you need to know before and during your appointment.
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are! We’re always happy to welcome new patients to Unique Smiles of McHenry. Give us a call or send us a text, and our team will help you find a time that works well for you.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We work with many PPO dental insurance plans. Since every plan is a little different, we’re happy to check your benefits and help you understand what your plan may cover before your visit.
What if I don’t have dental insurance?
That’s perfectly okay. We offer an in-house dental membership plan for patients without insurance, along with several payment and financing options. Our team would be happy to go over those with you.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Your first visit gives us a chance to get to know you and take a good look at your overall oral health. Depending on your needs, your visit may include X-rays, digital scans, photos, an exam with the doctor, and a cleaning or periodontal evaluation. We’ll explain everything as we go and make sure you have plenty of time to ask questions.
How long does a new patient appointment take?
We recommend planning for about 1½ to 2 hours for your first visit. We like to give ourselves enough time to be thorough and make sure you never feel rushed.
Do you offer emergency dental appointments?
Yes. If you’re dealing with tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or another dental concern that can’t wait, please give us a call. We’ll do our best to get you taken care of as soon as we can.
What dental services do you offer?
We offer a wide range of dental services for you and your family, including preventive care, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, implants, veneers, whitening, clear aligners such as Invisalign and Spark, night guards, periodontal care, and more.
Do you offer payment plans or financing?
Yes. We understand that dental treatment can be an unexpected expense. We offer different payment and financing options, including Cherry and CareCredit for patients who already have an account. Our team is always happy to talk through the options with you.
What is your cancellation policy?
We understand that plans can change. We just ask that you give us at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to move or cancel your appointment. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be subject to a fee because that time was reserved especially for you.
How do I schedule an appointment?
It’s easy! Give us a call at 815-385-0777 or text us at 833-947-3773, and one of our team members will be happy to help you find an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment online.
02 / Making care accessible
Insurance & payment
Understand benefits, estimates, and ways to pay.
Do you submit dental insurance claims for me?
Yes, we do. As a courtesy, our team will submit your dental insurance claims and provide the information your insurance company needs to process them.
What does “out-of-network” mean?
Out-of-network simply means we are not contracted directly with your insurance company. The good news is that many PPO plans still offer benefits when you visit our office! Our team is happy to help review your benefits and provide an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs so there are no surprises.
Why is my insurance estimate different from what my insurance actually paid?
Insurance can be a little confusing, and estimates are just that: estimates. We base them on the information your insurance company gives us before treatment. The final amount may change because of deductibles, annual maximums, waiting periods, frequency limitations, exclusions, or the way your insurance company processes the claim.
Can you tell me exactly what my insurance will cover before treatment?
We’ll always do our best to give you the most accurate estimate possible. However, insurance companies do not guarantee payment until the claim has actually been processed. For certain larger treatments, we may recommend sending a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance company first.
When is my portion due?
Your estimated portion is due at the time of service. Before your appointment, our team will review your estimated costs with you, including both the best-case and worst-case scenarios based on your insurance benefits. We want you to feel comfortable and informed, with no unexpected surprises!
What payment options do you offer?
We accept several forms of payment and offer financing options for qualifying patients. Options may include Cherry and CareCredit for patients with an existing account. If you have questions about paying for treatment, our team would be happy to help.
Do you have an option for patients without insurance?
Yes! We offer an in-house membership plan for patients without dental insurance. It includes preventive care benefits and helps make dental care more predictable. Our team can explain what’s included and help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Still have a question?
Our team is happy to help. Call 815-385-0777 or text 833-947-3773.