subject: What You Should Know About Sedation Dentistry And Insurance [print this page] Many patients face severe dental anxiety when they visit the dentist. Others avoid going entirely due to extreme dental phobia. For these patients, many dentists offer sedation dentistry. Also called sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry relies on medication to coax patients into a relaxed state throughout their dental procedure. It is often referred to as sleep dentistry because patients report that they remember nothing of the procedure, as if they were in a deep sleep the entire time. Many patients curious about sedation dentistry wonder what it is and if its covered by insurance.
There are four levels of sedation. During mild sedation, the patient is in a relaxed state. In moderate, or conscious, sedation, the patient is super relaxed and wont remember any of the procedure. During deep sedation, the patient teeters between consciousness and unconsciousness, but is still able to be awakened at any time, if need be. Finally, under general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious. Additionally, there are several types of sedation used including nitrous oxide, oral medications, IV sedative drugs, and full-on general anesthesia.
Sedation helps those with dental phobia and anxiety cope with a visit to the dentist to improve their oral health and smile. Many patients with these conditions avoid the dentist entirely, even a simple check up visit. In other cases, sedation may be essential to patients with medical conditions that make it difficult to sit still for long periods of time, if at all. Your dentist will discuss your situation with you and the level of sedation needed.
Though some non-IV sedation methods may be covered under some insurance policies, most insurance companies do not cover sedation. However, before eliminating it as an option, contact your insurance company to verify if it is covered under your specific plan. If sedation dentistry is not covered under your insurance plan, contact your dental provider, as they may offer financing options, including payment plans, which fit your needs.
by: Penelope Stone
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