Reviews
If you are one of the 30 to 40 million people who report having dental anxiety, you may be thinking about getting dental sedation at your next dental appointment, especially if it’s for a procedure that will take a long time. However, since sedation will add to the cost of your visit, you’ll need to consider a few factors before you commit to it. Read on to learn more about what you can typically expect when it comes to the cost of sedation dentistry.
What Types of Sedation are Available and What Do They Cost?
First of all, before you can determine how much sedation will cost, you need to be aware of the different options. There are three major types of dental sedation:
- Nitrous oxide, which is inhaled through a nasal mask in order to induce a light sedative effect
- Oral conscious sedation, which involves a pill that will put you in a highly relaxed state
- IV sedation, which is delivered straight into your bloodstream and is more suitable for lengthy procedures
The exact cost of each of these options depends on the practice and where they’re located. In general, nitrous oxide tends to have the lowest cost while IV sedation has the highest. Your dentist can give you a more specific price range when you call their office. In addition to the cost, you also need to consider which type of sedation would be the most effective for your specific case; the least expensive won’t always be the most suitable.
Will Insurance Help Pay for Sedation?
It’s a good idea to check your dental plan to see what benefits are available when it comes to sedation. Some policies do include sedation coverage, but it might depend on the circumstances. In some cases, they might only pay if the sedation is determined to be a medical necessity – as in, it would be impossible for you to receive proper dental care without it. In other cases, you may be eligible for sedation coverage if you have been formally diagnosed with a severe dental phobia. Every dental insurance policy is different, so get in touch with your provider if you’re not sure whether sedation is included under your plan.
Keep in mind that most of the time there’s a maximum that dental insurance policies can cover within a given year. When combined with the normal fee of your treatment, there’s a chance that the cost of sedation could put you over the amount of coverage that you’re entitled to, which means you’ll have to pay the remainder out of pocket. Keep that in mind when planning your next appointment.
Sedation dentistry can be a game changer for anyone suffering from mild to severe dental anxieties and phobias. If you’re interested, reach out to your dentist or insurance provider today to see how you can fit it into your budget.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Rosenfield has brought contemporary dental care to the Medford area for more than 33 years. He holds membership with the Dental Society of New York and the Long Island Dental Forum. He realizes that many people are nervous about seeing the dentist, which is why he’s happy to offer nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation all under one roof. To make an appointment or ask about sedation dentistry at Island Daily Dental Care, visit his website or call (631) 286-9000.