Bento
When you receive care from a dentist who has an agreement with the membership, it is referred to as Bento care. Your costs are generally lower for Bento care than for non-affiliated care.
Bitewing
A bitewing is the dental X-ray showing the crown portions of the upper and lower teeth.
Bridge
A bridge is a strong connecting link between two or more teeth, replacing a missing tooth or teeth. It usually has a gold frame and porcelain that has the shape and color of the missing teeth.
Crown
A crown—also called a cap—is a porcelain or gold tooth cover for a decayed, damaged, brittle, or discolored tooth that has a strong base and roots.
Dentures
Dentures are removable, artificial teeth designed to help you chew, restore your bite, and improve your appearance.
Eligible Family Members
- Spouse, and Child/Dependent Child, as defined by the following:
- your biological child a child for whom you or your spouse are the legally appointed guardian with full financial responsibility the child of a domestic partner
- your stepchild
- your legally adopted child or a child or child placed with you for adoption.
Dependent children are eligible for dental sharing until their 26th birthday. At that time, they may enroll for their own membership.
Endodontic Treatment
Endodontics refers to the care of the pulp chambers and root canals of your natural teeth; it usually involves sterilization and filling.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural substance found in minerals that works with your tooth or bone structure to make it stronger and more resistant to acid decay.
Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy refers to the surgical removal of the flaps of gum tissue that create pockets alongside teeth that have periodontal damage. This operation is designed to stop periodontal disease.
Inlays and Onlays
An inlay is a cast porcelain, composite or gold filling that is used to help restore the side or top area of a tooth. Onlays are similar to inlays but are used to cover the entire chewing surface of a tooth.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is surgery of the oral mouth cavity, including teeth and gums. Dental oral surgery typically includes complex extractions and other surgical procedures.
Orthodontia
Orthodontia is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities through the use of devices such as removable appliances or fixed braces to remove teeth or adjust underlying bone.
MAC (Maximum Allowed Charge)
A set fee schedule that is based on a dentist’s region which either determines the fee an affiliated dentist will charge for a service or maximum amount shared by the membership for services at a non-affiliated dentists.
Non-Affiliated
When you receive care from a dentist who does not have an agreement with your membership, your services are considered non-affiliated. Your costs are generally lower for Bento care than for non-affiliated care.
Periodontics
Periodontics is the treatment of the supporting structure of the tooth—the gum and bone tissue.
Reasonable and Customary Charges
A reasonable and customary (R&C) charge is the lesser of the fee most dentists in an area normally charge for the same type of dental service (as determined by Bento) and your provider’s actual charges. It is sometimes called usual, reasonable, and customary (URC); or usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) charges.
Root Canal
A root canal is a procedure where the nerve of a heavily decayed tooth is removed from the tooth and replaced with a filling material.
Sealant
A sealant is the protective plastic coating applied over grooves in your teeth to prevent decay.
Space Maintainer
A space maintainer is an appliance children use in their mouths to keep a space until a permanent tooth comes in to fill the space, so their remaining teeth do not drift or crowd new teeth.
Splinting
Splinting is connecting teeth with a fixed appliance.
Spouse
Adding a spouse to your membership is permitted. In some instances, you may be required to submit your marriage license from a US state or local authority.
Time Limit
Some eligible services are reimbursed based on time limits. In these cases, reimbursement is determined by the exact date of the eligible covered service. For example, the Membership reimburses dentures only after 84 months since the dentures were placed. So, if you received dentures on June 16, 2011, you will next be eligible to receive a new set of dentures on or after June 16, 2016. This is true even if new dentures are lost or stolen.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Syndrome
TMJ/TMD syndrome is a medical or dental problem related to the temporomandibular joint that links the jawbone and skull.
Waiting period
A period of time that must elapse before a member can utilize a service before it can be shared.