Your insurance may cover dental sedation as it may be considered a medical necessity.
If you are undergoing a series of dental procedures or treatments, or you need to have major oral surgery, and you are wondering if your dental insurance will cover the cost of having oral sedation, the answer is that it depends on the type of dental policy you have. Many dental insurance policies only cover up to a specified amount. The fee for the dental treatment, plus the cost of the sedation, could be over your policy’s coverage. However, many sedation options are inexpensive.
It often depends on the type of sedation used. Your insurance may cover general anesthesia, as it may be considered a medical necessity. Sedation is a broad term because it describes different levels of consciousness.
Types of Sedation Options
Nitrous oxide is a clear, odorless substance that is extremely effective in curbing the anxiety that can come with oral treatment. It is the lowest level of sedation that you can have, and it is typically called “laughing gas” because it makes you feel euphoric. With nitrous oxide, you don’t lose consciousness. The patient receiving laughing gas is awake throughout the procedure; they are just altered. Laughing gas is usually given in the dentist’s office, and the fee is very small.
Another type of minimal oral sedation involves the patient taking a pill before going to the procedure. When it takes effect, the patient typically falls asleep and rests peacefully throughout treatment. This is also a highly effective and extremely inexpensive form of oral sedation. Even if your dental insurance does not cover the medication, it is a minimal cost you can pay out of pocket.
If you have to have extensive or major oral surgery, IV sedation might be required or recommended. IV sedation is more expensive than more minimally invasive forms of sedation. It requires that an anesthesiologist be present—not just to place the IV but also to monitor the procedure and ensure that you are safe throughout the entire process. Since you are unconscious, a breathing tube is usually placed to ensure that you are getting enough oxygen.
It’s a much more invasive form of sedation, but if it is recommended and the oral surgery you are having is extensive enough, then it may be covered by your insurance – minus your deductible and at a rate that is predetermined by your policy itself.
Who Can Benefit from Dental Sedation?
Individuals with anxieties, phobias, severe gag reflexes, or difficulty getting numb are candidates for the center’s general anesthesia services. In addition, young children or individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to cooperate for dental treatment can benefit from these services.
St. Louis Dental Anesthesia
If you or a loved one needs a dental procedure but requires dental sedation, we will help determine which level is best and how it works with your insurance policy. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!