It is important to understand with most dental insurance plans there will be out of pocket costs. Out of Pocket costs is any amount the enrollee is responsible for paying, such as coinsurance or co-payments, deductibles, and costs above the annual maximum.

Dental Bonding is a composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and /or color. Bonding can also refers to how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.

Ear pain is often a warning sign of TMJ as it is a pretty common symptom. Nerves around the TMJ affect the nerves in and around the ear, and down the neck, so they can manifest pain anywhere in those general regions. Make sure to visit your dentist if you have unknown ear pain

Many dental insurance will have a limiting age of coverage clause. This is the age at which a dependent covered by a dental insurance plan is no longer eligible to receive benefits. However, most dental insurance plans offer an extension of benefits beyond the limiting age of coverage to student and handicapped dependents. Therefore make sure to read the plans terms and conditions if you have an older depending living in the household.

It is important to understand that dental insurance plans typically do not cover every dental procedure. Each insurance plan contains a list of terms and conditions that limit or exclude dental services from coverage.   Limitations may be related to time or frequency such as the number of procedures permitted during a stated period. For example, no more than two cleanings in twelve months or one cleaning every six months. Exclusions are those dental services not covered by the dental insurance plan

Periodontal diseases other wise know as gum disease is an infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. When not treated, periodontal diseases can result in the loss of teeth. The occurrence of periodontal diseases increases with age, from six percent among persons 25-34 years and to 41 percent among those 65 years and older.

This increase is not necessarily due to older persons being more susceptible to periodontal diseases, but rather to the consequences of these diseases, which accumulate over time and are thus more evident in the elderly.

Preventing periodontal diseases is particularly relevant because recent studies have shown a possible association between these diseases and diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are major causes of death among the elderly population.

According to national data 7 percent of adults 65 years and older reported having tooth pain at least twice during the past six months.  Oral pain is not something to defer. Oral pain is a sign of an advanced problem in either your tooth or gum tissues.

Oral pain and health problems, whether from missing teeth, ill-fitting dentures, cavities, gum disease, or infection, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.  Therefore professional dental help is needed to effectively manage and treat any oral pain and dental problems. Make sure to see a dentist at the first sign of any oral or dental pain you may have.

Questions to Ask When Picking a Potential New Dentist Part Two 

In a prior post we talked about questions to ask a dentist when choosing a new potential dental office. Here are some more questions you may wish to ask and keep in mind.  

• How long does it take to get a dental appointment? You may want to say away from dental offices that are so far booked up that making a dental appointment for yourself becomes difficult  
• Do they charge for missed or broken dental appointments.  If so how much advance notice is required in order not to be charged.   
• Does the dentist take continuing education courses and stay up to date with the latest techniques?  
• Does the office offer any kind of payment plans? Many dental offices are starting to offer financing plans.  
• Will the dentist office file the claims for you or will you have to do it yourself? 
• Will the dentist accept your co pay or will you be required to pay the full amount up front and be reimbursed by your dental insurance company later?

Questions to Ask When Picking a Potential New Dentist Part One 

Find a dentist that is right for you and or your family does not have to be difficult if you know what you what to look for in advance.  Before calling any dentist make a list of items that are important to you. Doing this will help you to be clear in asking questions and finding the answer you want.  

• If you have current dental insurance is a dentist a provider of that plan.  If so are they accepting new patients under the dental insurance plan you currently have.  
• How long has the dentist been in practice.  
• Do they have referrals that can be provided you. 
• How long has he/she been at their current location? 
• If you or a family member has any special conditions such as physical handicaps, diabetes HIV/AIDS, Autism etc. is the dentist able to treat patients with special conditions. 
• Does the dentist treat children as well as adults.  
• What are their hours and how do they deal with dental emergencies.

Bitewing radiographs (dental X-rays) Are generally consider preventive dental care and under many dental insurance plans bitewing radiographs are free to little cost.  When reviewing different types of dental insurance plans see what is consider preventive services and compare cost. You want preventive care to be either free to little cost so that you are more likely to maintain your dental care needs and see a dentist as advised