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.
Dr. Behl!
I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen.
I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing.
During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem.
What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable.
Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for such incredibly kind words! We’ll be sure to pass this along to Dr. Behl. We’re pretty sure the flying unicorns are going to be the part she remembers most! 🦄💙 We’re so glad our team could help make your experience a more comfortable one.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly.
My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Very nice very convenient for me great people working
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
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!
Updated: August 14, 2024
1 thought on “Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Sedation?”
1 thought on “Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Sedation?”