Finish the Year With a Brighter, Healthier Smile

As the holidays approach and your festive schedule fills up, you might want to make one more appointment. Don’t let the year end without taking advantage of coverage you’ve already paid for.

Below is a year-end treatment guide from Costa Mesa dentist Dr. Michael J. Spitzer to help you make the most of your remaining dental benefits.

1. Cosmetic Dental Treatments to Start the New Year with Confidence

Holiday photos, office parties, and gatherings with friends and family showcase your smile. If you’ve been considering a cosmetic dental treatment or a smile makeover, many of these options are even completed in just a single visit.

Professional Teeth Whitening for a Noticeably Brighter Smile

Teeth whitening has become one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you are self-conscious about your smile, teeth whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic options that still provides excellent results.

Dr. Michael J. Spitzer’s dental office in Coastal Orange County, offers at-home teeth whitening with Opalescence Go kits.

Dental Bonding to Fix Chips, Gaps, and Uneven Edges

Dental bonding is a fast and cost-effective cosmetic treatment that can correct:

• Minor chips

• Small gaps

• Discoloration

• Uneven tooth edges

Bonding is ideal for healthy teeth that need cosmetic enhancement. If you have more significant damage or decay, Dr. Spitzer will recommend the most appropriate restorative option for your personalized smile makeover.

Porcelain veneers for Dramatic Smile Transformations

Teeth that are badly stained, shaped, or crooked can often be improved with a veneer placed on the surface of the affected tooth or teeth. Porcelain veneers might be the right solution to help you restore your smile and confidence.

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic bonded to the front of your teeth to alter their color or shape. They are used on teeth with uneven surfaces, chips, discoloration, unusual shapes, uneven spacing, or crookedness. Little or no anesthesia is required. Veneers typically last longer and maintain their color better than bonding, and they are highly resistant to permanent stains from coffee, tea, or cigarette smoking.

2. Crowns and Smile Makeovers

If you have a cracked, heavily filled, or sensitive tooth, now is the time to protect it. Holiday foods, temperature changes, and increased chewing can quickly worsen existing dental problems if left untreated.

A dental crown is a custom-made covering crafted from porcelain, ceramic, resin, or metal that fits over a tooth damaged by decay, trauma, or everyday wear. Dr. Spitzer may recommend a crown to strengthen a weakened or cracked tooth, protect a tooth after root canal treatment, or restore proper function and appearance. Crowns are designed with natural grooves and contours, allowing them to look and function just like natural teeth.

For patients seeking more comprehensive results, a smile makeover combines multiple cosmetic and restorative dental treatments to improve both the health and appearance of your smile. At the office of Dr. Michael J. Spitzer here in Costa Mesa, CA, we create personalized treatment plans in order to help you achieve a confident, healthy smile you’ll love.

3. Overdue Exams & Cleanings - Use Those End-of-Year Dental Benefits NOW

If you haven’t had your routine exam or cleaning in the last six months, this is the single most crucial appointment to schedule before benefits expire. Preventive care protects both your smile and your wallet.

Most insurance plans cover preventative services, such as annual cleanings, exams, and X-rays, at 100% with little to no out-of-pocket cost. Ensuring you receive these twice-yearly visits is crucial to maintaining optimal oral health and to making this the most cost-effective use of your remaining 2025 dental benefits.

Finish the Year Strong and Start the New Year with a Healthy, Confident Smile!

Many patients may not realize that most dental insurance operates on a “use it or lose it” basis. This means that any unused coverage and funds expire at the end of the calendar year. 

Maximize Your Annual Maximum: Most dental insurance plans have an annual maximum—the total dollar amount the plan will cover within a year (often around $1,000 to $1,500). Utilizing this amount before it resets ensures you are getting the full value of the benefits you've already paid for through your premiums.

Whether you’re looking to brighten your smile, protect a damaged tooth with a crown, or catch up on a routine exam and cleaning, December is the perfect time to use your 2025 dental benefits before they expire. The care you receive now can help set you up for a healthier, more confident smile in 2026.

At Michael J. Spitzer, DDS, we proudly serve Costa Mesa and Coastal Orange County patients with personalized, high-quality dental care.

Don’t wait—schedule your year-end dental appointment with Dr. Spitzer here in Costa Mesa today and start the new year smiling with confidence.