Dental Insurance Program
Individual Supplemental
Group Dental - Orthodontic Benefits

Need individual supplemental dental insurance?

If you live in Maryland there's no doubt that we have your two best options with the Maryland Preventive Dentistry Program and Superior Dental Group.

But if you don't live in Maryland one particular competitor of ours, DentalInsurance.com, is probably worth checking out simply because of the wide variety of plans and programs they carry. We once tried to line up a lot of different programs ourselves in order to compete with them but it turns out we don't have the resources necessary to negotiate the rates they came up with.

DentalInsurance.com has national plans as well as a number of regional plans that might be just what you're looking for today. But, remember, if you live in Maryland no one has a program good enough to beat ours!

Why sealants (2)

1. Sealants
[ Next Section | Return to Contents Page ] What are dental sealants? Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are put on in dentists' offices, clinics, and sometimes in schools. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth. Sealants are clear or tinted. Tinted sealants are easier to see. Are sealants new? No, sealants are not new. They have been around for a long time! Research by NIDCR and others led to the development of sealants in the early 1960s. But many people still do not know what sealants are. In fact, fewer than 20 percent of children in the United States have sealants! How long do sealants last? Sealants can last up to 10 years. But they need to be checked at regular dental check-ups to make sure they are not chipped or worn away. The dentist can repair sealants by adding more sealant material. How much do sealants cost? Sealing one tooth usually costs less than filling one tooth. Having sealants put on healthy teeth now will save you money in the long run by avoiding fillings, crowns, or caps used to fix decayed teeth. But the most important reason for getting sealants is to avoid tooth decay. Healthy teeth can last a lifetime! Does insurance pay for sealants? Many insurance companies pay for sealants. Check with your company for details. [ Next Section | Return to Contents Page ]

2. Why sealants
Why get sealants? By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay. What causes decay? Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid. The acid can eat a cavity in the tooth. The decay has to be cleaned out by drilling and then the tooth has to be filled. Of course a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay. That's why sealants are so important. Why do back teeth decay so easily? The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away. [ Previous Section | Return to Contents Page ] How can I get more information about sealants? For more information about sealants call your dentist, state or local dental society, or health department. Sometimes sealants are put on at school -- check with your school or local health department to see if there is such a program in your area. For copies of the printed pamphlet contact: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse 1 NOHIC Way Bethesda, MD 20892-3500 301-402-7364 nohic@nidcr.nih.gov www.nidcr.nih.gov [ Previous Section | Next Section | Return to Contents Page ]

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