Tag Archives: types of sedation dentistry

How much does sedation dentistry cost?

Can you tell me how much sedation dentistry costs? I have put off dental work for some time, knowing that I have severe decay. I have delayed going to the dentist because I did not have dental insurance for years. And although I got dental insurance in September of last year, I did not make a dental appointment due to anxiety. I’ve had three dentists over my lifetime, and two of them had poor patient care and were unnecessarily rough. I always left appointments in pain regardless of the procedure. Last weekend I fell and cracked a tooth. The crack doesn’t look that bad, but my tooth hurts. The pain throbs on and off. I think that I can make a dental appointment if I get sedated, but I would like to know how much it costs. If sedation is expensive, I can save money from each paycheck over the next two months. Thank you. Amit

Amit,

Thank you for submitting your inquiry to our office. Your throbbing tooth pain is a symptom of internal tooth damage. See a dentist promptly for an examination.

Although sedation dentistry fees vary and you must speak with your provider for exacts costs, we can provide estimates.

How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?

The cost of sedation dentistry depends on several factors, including the type of sedation you receive, the length of your dental appointment, and where you live in the U.S. because dental fees vary by location throughout the country.

Types of Sedation

Although dental offices vary with the sedation services offered, the types of sedation available include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Many dental offices do not offer sedation at all, but others provide at least one option. The costs below are estimates. Call your dentist’s office to ask what type of sedation is available and how much it costs.

Sedation Dentistry with Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is the lowest level of sedation.  You breathe in nitrous oxide through a small nose mask during your dental procedure. After the procedure, your dentist will give you pure oxygen to breathe in and quickly reverse the effects.

How much does nitrous oxide cost?

The average cost of sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide in the U.S. is $80 to $150 for the first hour. Your dentist may charge an additional fee if you require nitrous oxide longer than an hour.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is in pill form. Many dentists use the medication Halcion (Triazolam), while others may offer diazepam or lorazepam for sedation. You will take the medication before your dental appointment so that you can arrive relaxed.

How much does oral conscious sedation cost?

The average cost of oral conscious sedation in the U.S. is $250 to $500 per hour. If you need to remain sedated beyond an hour, you may incur an additional fee.

IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation works faster than nitrous oxide and sedation dentistry. The amount of sedation your dentist gives you can vary from making you drowsy to putting you in a deep sleep.

How much does IV sedation cost?

Although the depth of sedation affects the cost, on average, in the U.S., IV sedation costs $500 to $1000 per hour with an additional fee beyond an hour.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Sedation?

Woman's face with her eyes closed while she receives dental work
Ask your dentist’s office about sedation dentistry fees and contact your insurance provider about benefits

Each insurance plan differs. Contact your insurance provider and ask if they provide benefits for sedation dentistry. Most insurance plans that offer sedation benefits have restrictions on the length of time coverage is provided for a procedure. For example, an insurance plan may provide benefits toward the first hour of sedation only.

Your dentist’s office will explain sedation dentistry fees and how long you will need sedation during your dental procedure.

Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.

Will insurance cover sedation dentistry?

I need 3 fillings replaced. I’ve had the fillings since I was 15 years old. 2 weeks ago one of them cracked. It broke a piece of the tooth off so bad that I had to go to an emergency dentist. He said I now need a crown. I am dreading this work that needs to be done. The dentist saw my anxiety level increases as he was explaining everything that needs to be done. He said that a sedation  dentist might help me relax and if I wanted to I could go to another dentist who offers it. I’ve haven’t been to a dentist for about 5 months because my old dentist left his practice. Now the thought of being sedated by a new dentist and having this be the first major work done for me is making me more nervous. Is this something that insurance covers?

Whether or not insurance provides benefits for sedation dentistry depends on your individual plan and the type of sedation offered. Some procedures are billed to dental insurance, and others are billed to dental insurance. In advance of your procedure, the dental office can contact your insurance companies to determine if any benefits are provided. Keep in mind that it is unlikely that insurance will cover the entire cost, but some benefits might be provided.

If sedation dentistry is used during an appointment with an oral surgeon, an anesthesiologist might be present to administer it. The insurance will likely provide some benefits for the sedation, which is often referred to as twilight.

Sedation at a dental office for general procedures is usually nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Anti-anxiety medication is given for oral conscious sedation, and insurance generally doesn’t cover it.

You can search for experienced sedation dentists who use different levels of sedation, depending on your procedure and anxiety level. Ask about each dentist’s training, credentials, and experience. Schedule a consultation with two or three sedation dentists and get a feel for how you are treated as a patient. If you are comfortable with the dentist and his or her office environment, it might be easier to trust the dentist with giving you medication to help you relax.

Remember that you will still be conscious during your appointment and able to respond to the dentist’s questions, and to let the dentist know if you are experiencing any discomfort. Your vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure.

Ensure you are comfortable and have enough information about sedation dentistry and your dental procedures before you schedule an appointment to have your dental work completed. It help your appointment to go smoothly.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

I am still nervous after nitrous oxide at the dentist

Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry? I have a really embarrassing fear of the dentist. My current dentist is really nice but every time I have to go I get so nervous I shake and I am sometimes literally sick. I’m afraid I’m going to need a cavity filled or something. My dentist before wasn’t that nice. When I leave this dentist everything is fine but when it’s time for the next appointment I start freaking out again. They say it gets better every time you go. But it hasn’t for me. Any tips? I have another apt in 2 weeks and I want to prepare myself for a better visit. I am asking about sedation because my dentist only uses nitrous and it doesn’t help at all. I am still nervous after I receive it. Thanks Brendon

Brendon – Bad dental experiences are a source of fear and anxiety for many patients. It is good that you have found a gentle dentist. You may be a candidate for a higher level of sedation dentistry. Your medical history will need to be reviewed first.

To start, tell your new dentist about your fear and the reason for it. He or she will pay extra attention to the things that make you particularly nervous. Sometimes, a more thorough explanation of the procedure, and what to expect during and afterward will calm you.

You can take an I-pod and listen to music to distract you from the dental procedure. Or, some dentists have televisions in the treatment room.

If you are very anxious, you may need a dentist who uses higher levels of sedation than nitrous oxide, such as as a small amount of anti-anxiety medication that you take in advance, or IV sedation. Dentists vary in the type of sedation dentistry they offer. Not all dentists provide sedation for their patients.

Sedation dentistry completely relaxes you so that your dentist can complete your treatment while you are free of anxiety.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Can I take Benadryl to make me sleepy before I go to the dentist?

For the average person getting cavities filled might not be a problem, but it’s a problem for me. I need something to sedate me or relax me before my dentist’s appointment. I have never had cavities before, and I hate going to even the nicest, most gentle dentist. Now I have 2 cavities that need to be filled. I am going with composite and I know that takes longer than silver fillings. My question is can I take maybe a Benadryl or something for the fillings even though it’s a simple and quick procedure? Will Benadryl affect anything the dentist will do or put in my mouth? I got a suggestion to drink alcohol before the appointment but that doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. What is something safe for me to take before the dental appointment? Manuel

Manuel – Yes, you can be sedated for the simplest of dental procedures. But you shouldn’t try to sedate yourself with Benadryl, alcohol, or by any other means. If you are anxious or nervous, a sedation dentist prefers that you be relaxed before your appointment. If you can’t relax, the dental treatment and your visit won’t be productive. But leave the sedation to your dentist.

A sedation dentist uses nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas), conscious oral sedation (mild, anti-anxiety medication), or IV sedation to help you relax during a dental procedure. The levels of sedation offered varies with the dentist and his or her training. All are common, safe means of helping patients relax.

Many patients cancel dental appointments because of their anxiety. Some patients actually refer to themselves as dental cowards or dental phobic. Speak with your dentist about your concerns and your desire for sedation. If he or she doesn’t offer a level of sedation adequate for your needs, you can consider finding a dentist who does.

Your comfort level with a dentist can contribute to or decrease some of your anxiety. If you need to find a dentist who practices sedation, we suggest that you schedule a consultation first to ensure you are comfortable with the office environment, staff members, and dentist.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.