Cost of Sedation Dentistry

For most people, visiting the dentist is just apart of life. Regular checkups are important to maintaining your overall oral hygiene. Most people may not enjoy going to the dentist, but they accept that they have to. For some people however, going to the dentist causes extreme anxiety and terror. For these people, going to the dentist represents an extreme challenge. In some cases, it may keep them from visiting the dentist at all, which puts their oral health at risk.

If you are one of the 30 to 40 million people who suffer from dental anxiety, you may be wondering how you can get help to deal with it. There are several forms of sedation available to help you cope with your anxiety. They range in invasiveness
and level of sedation. They also range in cost.

You may be a good candidate for sedation dentistry columbus ohio if you have extreme anxiety. You may also be a good candidate if you have difficulty controlling your movement, such as patients with Parkinson’s or cerebral palsy. Other candidates are those who have suffered a traumatic dental experience, have a fear of needles, or have extremely sensitive teeth. Talk to your dentist to help you determine if you are in need of dental sedation.

What types of sedation are available?

There are several types of sedation available that vary in invasiveness and level of sedation.

Oral sedatives are one option. The medicines vary in strength so they may be given at different times before the appointment to help relieve anxiety. In some cases, the oral sedative can be given the night before and in others it can be given 30 minutes before.

Intravenous sedation is often referred to as conscious sedation. An IV is administered before the procedure. In this case, you will not remember what happened during your procedure. You will not be fully asleep, but you will also not be fully awake.

Nitrous Oxide sedation is a form of sedation administered by inhalation. The nitrous oxide gas is inhaled prior to the procedure. It causes a state of relaxation almost instantly. The relaxation will dissipate shortly after the procedure.

General anesthesia is sometimes used depending on the severity of the anxiety or incases of extreme anxiety. General  anesthesia for dental work is similar to general anesthesia in hospital operating rooms. The general anesthesia causes you to be unconscious and completely unaware of your surroundings.

What do they cost?

The various types of sedation all have different costs associated with them. Your individual insurance coverage, dentist, and geographic location will ultimately determine the cost you pay. When light sedation is used, such as oral sedation or nitrous oxide inhalation, the cost is usually between $200 and $300. This price does not include the cost of the dental procedure itself, just the cost of the sedation. IV sedation and general anesthesia will cost much more. In these cases, the cost is usually based on an hourly rate for a dental anesthesiologist. The cost of the sedation will be added to the cost of the procedure itself.

If you are thinking that you may be a candidate for some form of dental sedation, talk to your dentist. They will be able to guide you and help you figure out how much the sedation dentistry cost will be.

More About Sedation Dentistry : What is Oral Sedation Dentistry?