Humana Dental Plans have become one of the most popular choices for employers who want to give their employees dental benefits. Humana Dental is one of the ten largest dental insurance carriers in the US, with more than 130,000 dentist locations in its network and more continually being added on a regular basis. Employers can choose from four options in Humana Dental’s portfolio:

1. The Traditional Preferred Plan allows covered individuals to see any dentist they want but they will enjoy discounts of as much as 30% on out-of-pocket costs by seeing an in-network dentist. Coinsurance levels for in-network and out-network dentists, however, are the same.
2. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Humana dental plans still allow you to see any dentist you want but you will have to pay higher out-of-pocket fees when you see an out-of-network dentist. PPO plans offer a wide range of coinsurance options.
3. Preventive Plus plans offer 100% discount on preventive services such as regular cleaning, topical fluoride treatment, X-rays and oral examinations, and 50% discount on covered basic services such as emergency care to relieve pain, extractions and non-surgical root removal and amalgam and composite fillings.
4. Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans require covered individuals and their dependents to pick a dentist from the Humana Prepaid/DHMO network who will become their primary dental care provider. All major services such as crowns and bridgework are covered.

Humana dental plans for individuals are available through Humana One Dental. There are three options you can choose from:

1. Preventive Plus is a PPO-type plan that allows you to see any dentist you want but rewards you for seeing an in-network dentist by offering you discounts on covered services. The plan has no copayments and low deductibles.
2. The C550 prepaid plan requires you to choose a dentist from the network who will be your primary care provider, but allows you to easily change your selection.
3. The Dental Discount plan is not an insurance plan but allows you to avail of 20% to 50% on many dental care services.

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Pet owners often notice that their animals no longer eat properly. Generally, it is always assumed that the animal has a stomachache. This may be true, but teeth and jaw problems are more common than gastrointestinal infections. Inflamed gums cause pain and the animal can no longer eat.

These infections are usually related to dental plaque and tartar, which then develop in gum problems. The bacteria can settle very easily there. They cause the gum inflammation. The gums swell and redden dramatically. Untreated gums and tartar lead to deep periodontal pockets and bone loss in the periodontal compartment of the jaw. The classical periodontal disease arises. The tooth becomes loose and the pain is unbearable.

The animal, which previously received food that it could eat without feeling pain, is now completely exposed. Such problems are usually difficult to identify fin the early stages. However, there are also many internal diseases that cause gum reactions. Therefore, you should always consult a conscientious therapist and make sure that you detect the problem on time.

Tooth problems refer to decayed teeth. Different kinds of dental treatment for animals of all kinds have been tested in recent years, so it no longer necessary to remove the tooth right away. Now it can be treated like it is in humans. The treatments range from drilling and filling to fixing the root canals and crowns. Treatment is necessary because animals depend on an intact dentition. The disadvantage: the animal has to be put under anesthesia for all dental treatments.

Chewing problems may be caused by deformities of the jaws and teeth. These are often encountered, too. In this case, you can just remove the mature teeth and replace it with a fake one. Jaw abnormalities can be treated by fixed jaw treatment devices. However, your animal needs to be specially trained to use this “dental” doctor’s advice.

In horses, for instance, dental care is generally necessary because of the extensive feeding from the trough in manufactured diets, so the natural chewing behavior changes (studies have shown that). The abrasion of the tooth surfaces is different, this also being known as hook formation. However, naturally, this occurs in older horses.

The tooth then protrudes, the sharp edges hurt when chewing and the horse can no longer eat properly. The pet owner should perform regular teeth checks, meant to identify any hooks, so that the animal is relieved from pain.

Rodents also have dental problems. In their case, they are caused by too much wear and tear because the teeth of rodents grow continuously for a lifetime. Rodents are therefore dependent on gnawing and crushing hard things with their teeth, so their teeth are constantly wearing down. This does not happen, for example, when the food is too soft (only green food) or the animal has a malocclusion, the teeth growing over each other and not fitting in the rodent mechanism, so these teeth continue to grow indefinitely and prevent the rodent from chewing properly.

They might grow in the opposite jaw. They can also cut their lips and cause other injuries in the animal’s mouth. The rodents may die because they are no longer able to absorb food. Also, the back teeth of rodents can change. However, these then grow in width and lie down over the tongue like a bridge (so-called bridging). The animal cannot eat, not even with such teeth. The swallowing is also blocked. The only help is an attentive pet owner who can check the teeth at the first sign of eating reluctance.

The therapist can then use special tools to bring the teeth back to the natural length and width. Conscientious pet owners know that it is important to monitor the teeth and mouth of their animals from time to time, for the animals to have better conditions for the future. You can do more as pet owners. Note the feeding! Your pets, especially dogs, should not play with hard objects such as stones. Such things destroy the tooth, the enamel breaking off. There are toothpaste and chewing products for dogs, which provide a degree of tooth cleaning.

Particular attention should be paid to feeding in cats because these animals have kidney problems, teeth problems being accompanying symptoms. Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to dental and mouth diseases.

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Do you refrain from consuming?

-cold things

-hot things

-sweets, including

-touching teeth with your tongue or other teeth

Because you sense pain or a certain level of discomfort?

If the answer to the above is yes then you may be suffering from a teeth condition called “Tooth Sensitivity”.

Types of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be classified into two types

a. Dentinal

b. Pulpal

What is Dentinal Sensitivity?

The middle layer of our teeth is called dentin. Generally, the dentine is protected (covered) by enamel above the gumline and below the gumline it is protected by cemetum. The centre of our teeth has a nerve branch, which emerges from the tooth’s pulp (which is the center of the tooth).

Whenever the protective cover of the dentin which is the enamel or the centum are stripped off from the dentinal, the tooth becomes exposed. When the exposed tooth comes in contact with cold or hot things, the nerves get affected thus causing dentinal sensitivity. Dentinal sensitivity may affect more than one teeth.

Some causes of Dentinal Sensitivity are as follows:

a. Inadequate oral hygiene because of which tartar may start accumulating at the gums thereby causing the minerals to depreciate from the tooth.

b. Vigorous brushing of the teeth- which destroys the enamel of the teeth

c. Tooth wear for a long time

d. Periodontal diseases which affect the gums of the teeth.

e. A cracked filling

f. Consumption of acidic foods and beverages.

g. Tooth whitening by people who have poor roots

h. Cavities which have not been treated for a long time

i. Surgery of the gums which may leave the roots of the teeth exposed.

What is Pulpal Sensitivity

The pulp of the tooth which is the center of the tooth is made up of blood vessels and nerves. By any reason if the pulp of the teeth becomes exposed it causes Pulpal sensitivity. This condition generally affects only one tooth at a time.

Some causes of Pulpal Sensitivity are as follows:

a. A filling done lately

b. An infection or teeth decay.

c. Clenching or grinding

d. A tooth which is cracked or broken (if you have a cracked teeth or feeling you will sense a pain on biting.

What are the Symptoms of Tooth Sensitivity?

If your tooth or teeth have a reaction to any kind of temperature change or pressure then you may be suffering from either one of the sensitivity. Also, a reaction to cold or hot things when consumed is also one of the symptoms of tooth sensitivity. If you notice that the sensitivity of your tooth has changed from being sensitivity to cold things towards hot things it means that the nerve of the tooth may be slowly dying and in requirement of a root canal treatment.

What are the Diagnosis of Tooth Sensitivity?

Your dentist may do the following:

a. Question you about your oral habits

b. Examine your dental history

c. Use an explorer (a metal instrument having a sharp point) to find tooth sensitivity.

d. Conduct tests to determine if you require root canal treatment.

e. Examine the tooth for decay, exposed root surfaces and deep metal fillings.

It is worth noting here, that your tooth may become sensitive to cold for a few days after your filling is made. This is so, because, the metal present in the amalgam (silver) transmits the cold to the nerves. In case of bonded fillings (colored fillings) the tooth is etched with acid before the filling is carried out. Therefore, sometimes the etching removes the enamel and makes the teeth sensitivity. But advancements made in bonding now have decreased tooth sensitivity.

What are the Preventive actions for Tooth Sensitivity?

You can avoid Dentinal sensitivity if you adhere to the following:

a. Use a soft or ultrasoft toothbrush. Brush your teeth in an upward and downward direction instead of brushing it from side to side.

b. Getting treated for grinding and clenching.

c. Use a toothpaste which has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) and which has a seal of their approval.

d. Use a toothpaste having a fluoride and mouth rinse

e. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss it daily

You can avoid Pulpal sensitivity by:

(a) Getting a root canal treatment done on time: Delaying a root canal treatment is a good way of preventing pulpal sensitivity. If not, it can lead to further problems.

What is the treatment for Tooth Sensitivity?

The treatment for Dentinal Sensitivity is as follows:

a. Cleaning the teeth: Your dentist will clean the teeth. If the teeth have become too sensitive the dentist may use a local anesthetic or nitrous oxide.

b. Applications for sensitivity: After cleaning the teeth your dentist will apply fluoride vanish to protect the teeth. This is however, just a temporary remedy but it strengthens the teeth. He/She may also apply an in-office treatment which blocks the tubules (opening) in the teeth that cause sensitivity.

c. Toothpastes and mouth wash that contain fluoride help to reduce sensitivity. Using such products will help your teeth against sensitivity.

d. Using tooth pastes that are especially made for sensitive teeth.

e. Consulting the dentist before using fluoride rinses as some are acidic. Always remember to use a neutral sodium fluoride for the teeth.

The treatment for Dentinal Sensitivity is as follows:

a. A root canal treatment where the nerve of the tooth is damaged or dying.

b. If it is due to amalgam (silver) filling, it will disappear in a few days.

c. A high filling that causes sensitivity can be polished off by the dentist.

d. Treatment for sensitivity caused due to grinding or clenching.

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A smile makes a strong impression and confidence in everyone. Many surveys reported that smile makes more attraction than any other physical features. When you have a dental problem, it fails to uphold your broad smile. So, it is imperative to choose a right dentist to feel confident and comfortable. In this page, we discuss on “How to avoid mistakes when choosing a dentist”.

Excruciating toothaches confuse while choosing a dentist. Most of us do mistakes in this area. So, you shall not handle the matter emotionally. You are required to search out for a good dentist to save your dental health instead of deciding a dentist with an available appointment.

You can avoid falling to heavy pressure, fear by handling the following precautions:

Don’t determine a dentist’s potential in a single visit/phone call

• You start asking questions and have clear communication from the beginning. When a dentist does not (or) cannot explain your specific condition, show the diagnosis report with clear explanation, fails to discuss alternatives, pressures you for a costly treatment, then it is the right time to walk-out from his dental clinic and you might find out other options.
• Firstly, request the dentist a written quote/see the list of services along with prices before nodding to any dental treatment.
• Don’t stop your search on dentist until you find a dentist whom you can trust and who truly examines your needs.
• Don’t allow your pain, though it is horrible, surpass the necessity of your consumer rights by agreeing less than you need.

Don’t choose a dentist based on availability, pricing

You should not find a dentist as one who offers treatment at low cost, resides close to your residence or his/her immediate availability. First of all, you have to verify whether the dentist and staff are properly trained, capable of providing needy treatment and the best dental care, treating advanced conditions of decay and any dental problems.

You, as a patient, should look out the following:

• You shall inquire about the dentist’s clinical experience verbally or viewing his dental website
• Confirm with the dentist whether he/she has amenities to make you comfortable during advanced treatments
• Enquire whether the dental practice accepts your dental insurance or how much you should spend from wallet etc.
• Check out online reviews of other patients about the dentist

Don’t choose an uncertified, improperly trained dental team

You can quickly verify whether your dentist is properly licensed to practice in your state as a Doctor of Dental Medicine/Doctor of Dental surgery. But, what do you aware of the rest of the team members? When a medical team fails to have a team of trained assistants, licensed hygienists, the following flaws may occur:

• Poorly processed dental X-rays may delay the process, unwontedly extend your dental visitation, make you discomfort.
• Billing mistakes will hike your dental treatment cost
• Poorly sterilized dental equipment can cause infection
• Providing an inferior dental preventive care will hurt your overall health

So, discuss with the dentist about your queries on the dental team, their experience, etc.

Don’t prefer a chaotic dental team

• If you do not have open and clear communication
• Pressures you for expensive treatments
• If you feel anything is hidden
• When you perceive more negative comments about the dentist

Choose your dental team

• Where you and your time are respected
• Where you have a clear communication
• Where your financial limitations are considered
• Where you receive detailed information, experienced advice

In spite of having the best dental practice and treatment, if you don’t take proper dental care, then your total efforts fall in vain. As for how it is important to filter the best dentist, as the same it is important to take care of your dental health by following easy techniques such as brushing, flossing etc.

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Living with missing, gapped or decayed teeth can be limiting, inconvenient, and embarrassing. The innovative cosmetic dentistry can bring back the appearance and function of natural teeth, and can correct almost any deficiency in a person’s smile.

Today, dentistry is more than just pulling a tooth. Cosmetic dentistry is a new area of dentistry, which is different from general dentistry in many ways.

In the traditional dentistry, the dentist focuses on the patient’s dental health as well as general monitoring for possible oral diseases and hygiene, while the cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetic appearance of the patient’s teeth, mouth and smile.

Some of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures include dental implants, tooth-colored restorations, fillings, tooth whitening, veneers, crowns/bridges, braces, dental bonding, gum de-pigmentation, gap closures, lip and cheek injections, orthodontics, and more.

Using one or more of these cosmetic dental procedures, combined with the latest advances in general and cosmetic dentistry, a skilled, experienced cosmetic dentist can transform your ill-shaped teeth and help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile.

Patients with damaged tooth structure now no longer need to rely on unsightly metals to replace decayed teeth. Dentists now use high density, advanced composite resins and porcelain materials for filling up cavities. These modern filling materials mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.

Dental implants are used for substituting missing or broken teeth, dental veneers mask badly shaped, stained teeth and gaps, while tooth whitening helps to improve the color of your teeth and gap closures and bonding techniques can close those embarrassing pockets in between the teeth.

Benefits

A cosmetic dentistry procedure not only enhances your facial aesthetics, it even gives a significant boost your self-esteem, and confidence.

The cosmetic dentistry can have dramatic effects on your overall facial appearance. It can help you:

Enjoy well-aligned teeth without embarrassing braces.
Have beautiful, dazzling, more confident smiles.
Restore decayed or damaged teeth.
Enjoy safe and effective cosmetic dental treatments.
Regain the lost natural beauty of your teeth and smile with dental implant technology.
Boost your self-esteem with new, healthier, pearly whites.
Have virtually pain-free dental work with the latest dental technology and equipment.

Cost

The cosmetic dentistry cost in the Middle East, Western European Countries & United States of America is so high that many dental patients form these regions either choose to hold back their plans to fix their dental issues or seek cost-effective dental treatments abroad.

The cost of dental treatments and surgeries in countries like India, Thailand, Mexico and Costa Rica falls to a fraction of what they cost in the industrialized countries, so it’s quite understandable why more and more Western patients are crossing their national borders to avail cost-effective dental treatments in these low-income, less developed countries.

Since, in most cases, insurance doesn’t cover the costs of cosmetic dentistry, the uninsured, average patients may be incapable of paying out of the pocket for the dental treatment in their home countries.

Cosmetic dentistry prices can vary from procedure to procedure, depending on what kind of implant surgery you undergo as well as what kind of services, in terms of the quality of dental care and standard of the facility, you are getting.

For instance, dental implant cost may vary depending on the type of dental implant, permanent and temporary implants, and the number of teeth that need to be replaced or restored. Likewise, bridge cost also varied based on how many teeth are involved, and the quality chosen by you.

A dental surgeon’s expertise and the location and reputation of the dental facility are other considerations that can increase the price of your cosmetic dentistry procedure.

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