How Much Will Sedation Dentistry Cost?

If the idea of even a routine dental checkup fills you with anxiety or dread, you may start to rely on sedation dentistry to get through your appointments. Sedation helps many people overcome their dental anxiety, helping them stay relaxed and at ease while their teeth and gums are treated. However, having sedation performed will add to the cost of your visit, and the exact amount will vary depending on what kind of sedative is used. Uncertain about the cost of sedation dentistry in Van Nuys? Read on to get some important context of what you’ll need to consider.

What Types of Sedation are Available, and What Do They Cost?

There are three major types of sedation used in a dental practice:

• Nitrous oxide sedation, which comes in the form of a gas delivered through a nasal mask and is suitable for those who are only mildly anxious.
• Oral conscious sedation, which is preferable for those with moderate anxiety and involves a pill taken at a certain time before your appointment.
• IV sedation, which is the strongest form of sedation available and delivers the sedative directly into your bloodstream to put you in an extremely relaxed state.

The exact cost of each type of sedation can vary depending on the location of the practice. That said, nitrous oxide sedation is generally the least expensive while IV sedation and oral conscious sedation are more costly. Please note that an hourly rate is often charged for IV sedation.

Will My Insurance Cover Dental Sedation?

Most dental insurance plans consider sedation dentistry to be elective – as in, an optional treatment not necessarily required for your health. As such, you normally shouldn’t expect your dental insurance plan to cover sedation. Note that general anesthesia (which is not classified as sedation) is often considered a medical necessity, and thus your plan is likely to help pay for it.

In certain cases, sedation dentistry might be approved of as a necessary expense if you have a medical condition or disability that would otherwise prevent you from getting dental care. For example, some policies will help cover sedation if you’ve been diagnosed with severe dental phobia. It’s important to check with your dentist and your policy provider to make sure you have a full grasp of what benefits are available.

It’s important to note that dental insurance plans have a cap on how much they’re willing to cover during the year. When combined with the cost of your treatment, the fee for sedation could put you over your annual maximum. Keep that in mind when planning your dental budget.

 Sedation is meant to be a solution for dental anxiety in Van Nuys, and as such the price shouldn’t be something that makes the experience stressful to you. Talk to your dentist to explore different options for making a sedative-aided treatment more affordable.

About the Practice

At the Dental Smile Center, an experienced restorative and cosmetic dentist, a board-certified periodontist, and a board-certified endodontist combine their skills and experience to offer Van Nuys families high quality comprehensive dental care. Each treatment is tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs, and that means offering dental sedation to those who need extra help to relax. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (818) 780-9700.