Being fearful about dental work is a very real thing. According to a study published by PubMed, the fear of going to the dentist is one of the most common fears along with fear of heights, spiders and snakes.
Thanks to the advent of sedation dentistry, some of that fear is being relieved. Sedation dentistry is the practice of using a sedative medication to relax the patient received dental work. Not only does sedation dentistry help ease anxiety, its analgesic properties can raise the patient’s pain threshold. Sedation dentistry will not only make your dental experience more comfortable, it will make the visit feel like a few minutes instead of a several painstaking hours. Plus, methods nitrous oxide has few side effects and works within minutes.
There are a few levels of sedation
- Light Sedation is the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or a pill to make the patient relaxed and comfortable while still remaining awake and alert.
- Medium sedation, also known as oral conscious sedation, is the use of a pill (often Halcion) is taken an hour before the procedure begins. It will make you relaxed and sleepy. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
- Deep sedation is the use of an intravenous sedative. It is most commonly called IV sedation and is used for more complicated procedures like wisdom teeth removal or dental implant surgery. When receiving IV sedation you will be given supplemental oxygen and your vitals will be monitored. You will likely not remember the procedure at all or feel any pain.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Unfortunately, sedation dentistry is not typically covered by insurance. That being said, every insurance plan is different so be sure to research your benefits. Light sedation like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is more likely to be covered than deep sedation services like IV sedation. If you or your loved one has a disability or medical condition like epilepsy or autism, talk to your insurance provider about special coverage clauses. And it’s also a good idea to talk to your office’s billing specialist to make sure they document your treatment in a way that makes it more likely to be covered by insurance.
PRICING
According to estimates from Dental Economics and Angie’s List, nitrous oxide can cost as little as $50 at some offices and as much as $200 at other offices. Medium level sedation administered orally typically costs somewhere between $150 to $500. IV sedation is the most pricy as costs around between $300 to $500. Deep sedation delivered through anesthesia is usually somewhere around $500.
CERTIFICATION
The majority of dentists can offer nitrous oxide and medication to sedate patients, but a smaller percentage of dentists are certified to offer deep sedation and general anesthesia. This certification comes from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). And each individual state dental board has rules and regulations about sedation dentistry techniques.