How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
You have read about sedation dentistry and want to see if it is a good option for you and your dental anxiety. But before you make the appointment, you want to know how much the sedation will cost. You will need to determine the cost of the treatment and add the cost of the sedation to that total. The price of the sedation is determined by the type of sedation you have, how long your appointment lasts, and how much training dentists need to qualify to give sedation.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is usually the least expensive among the sedation options. Most dental offices charge a nominal fee for nitrous oxide. It starts to work fast and wears off quickly. The cost is usually a flat fee, but it can also be charged per visit. Nitrous oxide is best applied to simple procedures or patients requiring light sedation.
Oral sedation requires taking medication prescribed by your dentist before your appointment. It costs more than nitrous oxide because the medication requires more monitoring to ensure your body is processing the medication properly. Depending on the specific medication your dentist prescribes, your oral sedation should not have a large price tag. Oral sedation is best applied to longer or more complex treatments.
Intravenous sedation is the most expensive because the dentist needs specific training and additional certification. In order to administer the sedation medication, the dentist will need expensive equipment. While any patient is under IV sedation, they require constant supervision by a qualified provider. IV sedation is best applied to longer appointments and to patients who experience extreme dental anxiety. Costs for intravenous sedation are usually based on how long the procedure takes, so longer appointments may cost more.
Finally, there are some special surgical centers that offer dental procedures under general anesthesia. With this type of sedation, you are completely unconscious, and a trained anesthesia provider, either a doctor or nurse anesthetist, must be present during the procedure. Due to the strength of the medications used, the training required to administer them, and the equipment used to properly dose the medication while monitoring all your vital signs, general anesthesia is the most expensive option. As a result, it is typically only used in more difficult cases or in patients with special needs.
Not all insurance plans cover sedation dentistry. Some dental insurance plans cover sedation dentistry only if it is medically necessary; if you have certain medical conditions or you are having a certain type of surgical procedure, then your insurance plan may offer coverage. If you believe sedation is necessary, you can work with the dental office billing staff to submit paperwork to your insurance company to apply for coverage. Additionally, be sure to talk to the dental office to see if they offer any finance programs or membership plans for patients who pay out of pocket for sedation services.
If you have more questions about sedation dentistry or how it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if sedation dentistry is the best option for you.