If you’re afraid of going to the dentist, you’re far from alone—it’s estimated that around 36% of people in the US have a fear of dental treatment! But this fear is never something that should prevent you from seeking out the care your smile needs, especially when sedation dentistry might be able to help! However, you might be worried about if you can use your dental insurance policy to cover this specific type of treatment. Here’s what you need to know.
When Does Insurance Cover Sedation Dentistry?
Although sedation dentistry is incredibly beneficial, it unfortunately isn’t always considered a necessity when it comes to dental care. This means that many dental insurance plans don’t offer much in the way of coverage for it. However, there are a few notable exceptions to this rule that you should keep in mind:
- If using dental sedation lowers the overall cost of treatment.
- If the patient has a medical condition that makes it impossible for them to receive dental care without sedation; this applies to cerebral palsy, autism, and other similar conditions.
- If the procedure in question is especially complex or requires surgery; some treatments simply cannot be performed without the assistance of dental sedation.
- If the patient is enrolled in a more expensive policy that provides specific benefits for sedation dentistry.
What If I Don’t Have Coverage for Sedation Dentistry?
It’s always crucial to check the specifics of your plan before committing to any type of dental treatment, whether sedation is involved or not. That said, if your plan doesn’t include any benefits for sedation, don’t fret! Many practices offer various means of making sedation dentistry more affordable; this includes things like in-house savings plans, third-party financing, and more.
In any case, you must also consider the awesome benefits of sedation dentistry—you simply can’t put a price on the peace of mind it’s able to provide for some patients with dental-related anxiety. When it comes to oral health issues, they often have the tendency to worsen over time, and if you aren’t visiting the dentist due to anxiety, you’re only making things worse. Sedation is an accessible solution for getting your smile the crucial care it needs without causing you too much stress!
About the Practice
The team at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery has proudly served patients in the Burke, Reston, and Alexandria communities for several years. They’re thrilled to offer a wide range of restorative services as well as various sedation options. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with their team to set up a visit for you or someone you know, feel free to visit their website for more information and to find the closest office to you!