Dental Insurance 101

Read the latest tips

Crowns

If you have a tooth that’s infected, cracked, or broken, you may need a dental crown. Covering a damaged tooth with a crown lets you save as much of your tooth as possible.

Dental networks

Most Regence plans allow you to see any dental provider for services, but seeing a dentist in our provider network will help ensure you receive cost-effective, high-quality care.

Extractions

We like to think that our teeth will last a lifetime. They might, but sometimes we have to have a tooth pulled. Your teeth help you eat and they even define the shape of your face, so it’s understandable that we don’t look forward to dental extractions.

Finding the right dentist for you

Choosing a dentist you like and trust is an important decision. Your dentist is part of your health care team and helps you keep your mouth healthy.

Gum treatments

One of the most common oral health issues is gum disease. It’s also a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

How your dental plan works

What do you get when you buy a dental plan? Just like health insurance, you get access to a network of dentists and coverage for care and treatment you receive.

Implants

Many people get dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots, to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Missing teeth can cause neighboring teeth to move and fill the space where a tooth used to be. This can eventually cause issues with your bite and bone structure and interfere with your ability to eat.

Jaw pain

Jaw pain is a common condition. It can be temporary and mild or severe. When the pain is extreme, it can interfere with your quality of life and cause discomfort when you eat or speak.

Overcoming the anxiety of going to the dentist

If you get anxious at the thought of going to the dentist, it’s OK—the fear of going to doctors or dentists is fairly common. The good news is that most visits to the dentist involve routine exams and cleanings that will help prevent more complicated services and treatments in the future.

Pretreatment estimates

What do you get when you buy a dental plan? Just like health insurance, you get access to a network of dentists and coverage for care and treatment you receive.

Root canals

If you’re worried about getting a root canal, don’t be. It’s a common dental procedure that’s done more than 15 million times a year, according to the American Association of Endodontics.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes brief, repeated interruptions to your breathing during sleep. While the link between sleep apnea and the health of your mouth may not be obvious, there’s a strong connection.

The importance of dental insurance

If you’re wondering whether or not you need dental insurance, the first thing you should know is that medical insurance doesn’t cover most dental services.

The importance of seeing your dentist

Going to the dentist isn’t something that most people look forward to. It may even cause anxiety for some people. Keep in mind that your dentist is your partner in preventing oral health issues and other health problems, so it’s well worth the visit.

Using preventive benefits

Many dental conditions are painless at first, but brushing and flossing aren’t enough to prevent some issues. Regular dental visits can prevent or lessen the effects of cavities, gingivitis, enamel loss and periodontitis. If untreated, these can lead to bigger problems like infections and tooth loss, which can be painful and expensive to treat.

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