Understanding The Costs Associated With Dental Sedation

18 December 2018
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you have a fear of the dentist, then it is wise to look into sedation dentistry. This type of dentistry can help to keep you calm while your dentist completes necessary dental work. If you are concerned about costs, then there are a few questions you may have. Keep reading to learn about the answers to a few common ones.

Will Insurance Pay For Sedation?

Most dental insurance plans will pay for sedation only if it is medically necessary. Invasive procedures and disabilities both call for sedation in most cases. Also, you should know that an extreme phobia or a diagnosis of anxiety can be used as a reason to undergo sedation dentistry. Your physician can provide documentation of your diagnosis to your dental insurance company if they require proof of your condition.

If you are unable to acquire documentation from your physician, then you need to look at the treatment costs that your insurance plan will cover each year. Many plans will only cover about $1,000 or a bit more. If you opt for the sedation, the cost of the dental procedure with the anesthesia can easily exceed your yearly treatment cost maximum. If you are nearing the end of the year and you only need the single dental procedure, then this may not be a problem, but you should be prepared with savings if an emergency develops before the new year begins.

How Much Is Sedation Out Of Pocket?

If you do not have dental insurance and are considering sedation, then you may want to know what the direct costs of your procedure may be. Your costs will vary greatly depending on the type of sedation you want. Oral sedation is the least expensive and involves you taking an oral sedative before the procedure. It is the lowest level of sedation and may cost a few hundred dollars. Nitrous oxide sedation is not usually that expensive either, but this will depend on your reaction to the gas, how much needs to be provided, and whether or not the dentist needs to stop the procedure if you are feeling ill.

The most expensive sedation method is IV sedation. This is the most complete type of sedation, but it will often cost between $500 and $1,000. It is used for major procedure and for extreme fears.

If you want to know about the level of sedation dentistry that is best for you, then speak with your dental professional and a quote can typically be provided based on your needs.