Benefits at a Glance

Preventive Benefits
Preventive, diagnostic and radiographic benefits do not require a deductible or a waiting period. And when you visit a network dentist, we cover these benefits at 100% of our allowable charge - your coinsurance is 0%. We cover 50% of the allowable charge when you visit a dentist outside the network.

Covered Service	Frequency	Coinsurance InOut-ofnetwork network
Diagnostic (Oral exams)	Two per year	0%	50%
Set of bitewing X-rays	One per year (not in same year as full mouth x-ray)	0%	50%
Full mouth X-rays (Age 5 and over)	One every three years	0%	50%
Preventive (Includes cleanings, topical fluoride treatments for children under age 16, space maintainers for children under age 12)	Two dental cleanings per year	0%	50%

Anthem Individual Dental has an annual maximum benefit of $1,000 per covered person every calendar year the policy is in effect. This applies to preventive, restorative and complex benefits.

Restorative and Complex Benefits
Restorative and complex services have waiting periods before services are covered. You pay a $50 annual deductible with an in-network dentist, and a separate $100 annual deductible when you go out-of-network.

Covered Service	Waiting Period	Coinsurance In-Out-ofnetwork network		Deductible In-Out-ofnetwork network
Restorative Services (fillings)	6 months	50%	50%	$50	$100
Simple Extractions
Adjunctive Services (Emergency treatment of dental pain for minor procedure, general anesthesia with oral surgery)
Oral Surgery (Includes root removal, treatment of abscess)	18 months
Prosthodontic Services (Onlays, crowns, dentures)
Endodontic Services (Root canals)
Periodontal Services (Includes periodontal cleaning, scaling, root planing)

Dental Policy Terms and Limitations

Rates subject to change without notice

How the Plan Works:

No Health Underwriting!
You can enroll in this plan regardless of your health–
there are no medical questions to answer.
Save Money with Our Network of Dentists–
or Pick the Dentist You Want!
To get the highest level of benefits, choose from our network
of participating dentists. Of course, you’re also free to
choose a dental provider outside the network, but your
share of the cost may be greater.
Preventive Benefits are Covered in Full!
When you visit a network dentist, you have no deductible
or coinsurance to pay for any covered preventive or
diagnostic service.
It’s Convenient!
When you visit a network dentist, there’s virtually NO
paperwork! Your claims are automatically filed for you, in
most cases.* To reduce your paperwork even more, you
can take advantage of our automatic bank draft service,
and have your premium drafted from your bank account
monthly. Or, you can choose another payment method –
we offer quarterly, semi-annual and annual billing.
Best of All
Anthem Individual Dental is available exclusively from
Virginia’s largest health insurer,** Anthem Blue Cross and
Blue Shield.
*This added feature is not guaranteed by your policy and can be modified or discontinued at our discretion.
** Anthem Market Research, October 2004.
2

* Based on 2006 National Dental Advisory Service Fee Report.

** This portion of the plan is not an insurance product. In-network providers typically charge reduced rates within these ranges. Member charges are based on CareFirst allowances with the participating providers. Since rates vary by provider, members should check with their participating dentist to determine the costs of specific procedures. Members must pay these reduced rates directly to the provider during the office visit.

Please see the brochure for details of the benefits

Dental Information Articles

An Introduction To Dental Implants

Dental implants are used to replace both the form and the function of missing teeth. In the case of existing teeth, the tooth root holds the tooth in place. When a tooth has been lost due to infection, gum disease, an accident, or injury, a dental implant can be used in order to replace the tooth root and secure an artificial replacement for the tooth.

The actual dental implant is a metal screw designed to thread into the jawbone and allow for the attachment of a variety of prosthetic dental replacements. Most of the time, the implant is made of medical grade titanium or a titanium alloy. Titanium is used due to its excellent compatibility with human biology. Tens of thousands of dental implant procedures are performed every year.

History of Dental Implants

Forms of dental implant procedures have been performed for thousands of years. Egyptian mummies have been discovered with gold wire implants in their jawbones, and pre-Columbian skeletal remains have even shown dental implants made of semi-precious stones.

In Europe, ancient Roman soldiers have been found with iron dental implants. In the Middle East, remains have been unearthed exhibiting ivory dental implants dating back to the Middle Ages.

Modern dental implant logy was established in the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century, although the procedures popularity did not grow until the 1980's with the introduction of the titanium cylinder.

Uses of Modern Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used for a variety of replacement situations. The implants may be used to replace one single tooth, eliminating the need to grind down and alter adjacent teeth. On the other hand, they can be used to support replacement teeth for mouths which are entirely toothless.

Dental implants can be used as anchors to provide support for a fixed bridge, or to provide stability for a complete denture set, eliminating unsightly and bothersome moving and/or clicking associated with dentures.

The implants can even be used to support existing, yet loose teeth by being splinted with the dental implants.

Common Reasons for Tooth Loss

A few of the most common causes of tooth loss are infection, gum disease, injury, or accidents. When teeth are missing, it causes the remaining teeth to shift, rotate, and may cause them to become crooked. Spaces and gaps in the teeth can cause embarrassment, speech problems, and loss of self-esteem and confidence. An improper bite may also develop, making it difficult to chew food properly. Dental implants can help prevent or correct these problems.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent for Richmond Dental Health. The cosmetic dentist office provides cosmetic procedures throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on cosmetic dentist in Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Budda_Oliver

An Introduction To Dental Implants - Part 2 Of 2

The Procedure

A dental implant procedure is not a one visit process, typically taking several visits to one or more dental experts. As with any medical procedure, the first step is to find a qualified, skillful, and trustworthy surgeon to perform your dental implant procedure. Having a capable dentist can be the deciding factor of whether or not you will be pleased with the results.

First, the dentist will take x-rays of your mouth and perform a thorough oral examination. Typically, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ease any discomfort during the operation. A pilot hole is then bored into the jawbone, to allow for the placement of the implant. After the hole is drilled, the implant is inserted into position. The implant is left for around four months to fuse into the jawbone through a natural process known as Osseo integration.

After a few months, and when the implant has fused securely to the bone, the dentist will then attach the post to the implant. The post is the support for the synthetic replacement or replacements.

The last part of the procedure is known as the restorative phase. This is when the dentist will take impressions and create the necessary prosthesis that will attach to the implant or implants. This process normally take several visits in itself.

Qualified Dentists

You may find that you will have to see several different dentists in order to complete your dental implant procedure. Periodontists and oral surgeons are both qualified to perform the first part of the process, placing the implant or implants. If a periodontist or oral surgeon is used to complete the implant procedure, then a restorative dentist will be required to complete the process during the later visits.

Implantologists are qualified to perform the entire procedure themselves, from beginning to end.

Long-term Success

Overall, dental implant procedures have about a 90% success rate, and many last more than 20 years. With good oral hygiene, your dental implants can last you a lifetime. The success of your procedure also depends on the quality and quantity of bone available to the dental surgeon. The better the bone, and the more of it, the better the chances of a complete success.

The quality of the restorative prosthesis placed on top of the implant is also a major factor affecting the success of your procedure. If the design of the crown, over-dentures, or other prostheses are poorly constructed or poorly designed, the biting forces of the mouth will not be balanced and may cause complications in the future.

Who Does NOT Qualify for Dental Implants?

Some medical conditions or specific physical characteristics may make it impossible or dangerous to have a dental implant procedure performed. People who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes, parathyroid disorders, blood disorders, rare bone disorders, or bone marrow cancer should not consider getting dental implants. Also, those undergoing or who recently have undergone chemotherapy or other radiation therapy should avoid this procedure.

Some with certain physical characteristics such as insufficient or poor quality bone, low sinuses, or low nerve bundles may also not qualify for dental implant procedures.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent for Richmond Dental Health. The cosmetic dental office provides cosmetic procedures throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on a cosmetic dentist in Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Budda_Oliver

Lumineers - A New Type of Dental Veneer

If you dream of having a perfect smile, but the thought of having veneers applied to your teeth makes you wince in pain, you'll be happy to know there is a new, pain-free alternative to help you get a fantastic looking smile. Lumineers are porcelain coverings, made from a patented type of porcelain known as Cerinate, applied directly to your teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, your dentist can apply these contact lens-thin “smile shapers” to teeth without any grinding or shaving. They can be applied without the use of anesthesia, so no shots are required.

Porcelain veneers, also known as "dental porcelain laminates,” are wafer-thin shells that bond to teeth. Most traditional veneers require that your dentist grind down sensitive tooth structure for a good fit. They are permanent, custom-shaped
and require the removal of roughly .5 mm of the original tooth to allow space for the new veneer.

Lumineers laminates are thinner (.2mm); roughly the thickness of a contact-lens. The original tooth structure needn't be shaped for placement and, if desired, Lumineers can be removed. It is claimed that Lumineers resist micro-leakage and micro-cracking more so than traditional porcelain veneers. Unlike other porcelain veneers, you won't need to wear temporary veneers until the Lumineers are created. Lumineers are expected to last just as long as traditional porcelain veneers and normally cost less than traditional dental laminates.

In addition to being made of thin, porous porcelain, both products offer permanent whitening with no staining or discoloration. Both Lumineers and traditional porcelain laminates can strengthen, lengthen and shape your teeth. They can be used to repair minor tooth imperfections, are stain proof, natural in appearance, and highly resilient. This procedure does not hurt, it is fast, and in most cases, affordable.

Lumineers can be a more comfortable and time-saving solution for adults who are considering braces. If your bite problem isn't severe, Lumineers will change the shape and alignment of your teeth, making them look straighter and more uniform. They will help restore and strengthen teeth and aid in preventing wear over time.

There may also be some disadvantages to Lumineers. As there is little to no tooth reduction needed for Lumineer porcelain veneers, there is a limit to how much smile correction can be accomplished. This can also lead to bulky appearing and feeling veneers in some cases. Also, if you suffer from bruxism, clenching or grinding of your teeth, veneers can be damaged, chipped or cracked.

Since these are a little thinner than the average veneer, it actually requires even more skill and artistry on the part of the cosmetic dentist and the laboratory. Color management is challenging even with thick porcelain. When it is three-tenths of an inch thick, as these are, it is even more demanding for the laboratory and the cosmetic dentist. The thinness also makes the shaping of the teeth trickier. It is a good idea to seek the services of an expert cosmetic dentist, and make sure to view the dentist‘s previous work with Lumineers. Hue, chroma, translucency, color depth, brightness, and highlights, all need to be handled correctly for you to have a beautiful smile.

Mr. Oliver is an employee of Family Dentist, Cosmetic, and Wellness Center. The family dentistry office provides cosmetic dentistry services throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their cosmetic dentistry practice in Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Budda_Oliver

Restorative and Complex Benefits Restorative and complex services have waiting periods before services are covered. You pay a $50 annual deductible with an in-network dentist, and a separate $100 annual deductible when you go out-of-network.

Rates subject to change without notice

How the Plan Works:

Restorative and Complex Benefits
Restorative and complex services have waiting periods before services are covered. You pay a $50 annual deductible with an in-network dentist, and a separate $100 annual deductible when you go out-of-network.