How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
Patients seek sedation dentistry for a few different reasons, most notably due to dental anxiety or in expectation of lengthy or stressful dental procedures. There are a few different methods of sedation used in sedation dentistry, and your dentist will review your options to help you determine which is best for your needs. Each of these types of sedation involves different medications administered in different ways, with varying levels of sedation and at varying costs.
What Are the Different Kinds of Sedation Dentistry?
The three most common methods of sedation used in dentistry are nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV, or intravenous, sedation. Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedative gas administered through a mask that’s placed over the nose. This gas offers minimal sedation, with the primary goal of calming and relaxing the patient. Also known as laughing gas, it creates a blissful, zoned-out feeling. Oral conscious sedation, another minimal type of sedation, relies on an orally administered prescription sedative, like Valium or Ativan, delivered in pill form about an hour before the procedure. These oral sedatives relax patients, causing drowsiness that helps them remain calm, though awake, during treatment. Finally, IV sedation, administered directly into the body through an intravenous tube in the arm or hand, provides the deepest level of conscious sedation and can be adjusted as needed throughout the procedure. This may make IV sedation the best option for longer procedures, though the levels and types of sedation will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to cost. The key difference between general anesthesia and sedation dentistry is that general anesthesia renders the patient totally unconscious; for complicated or extensive dental procedures, general anesthesia is often preferred.
Ultimately, the cost of dental sedation depends on the duration of the procedure and the type of sedation used. In general, nitrous oxide sedation tends to cost anywhere from $25 to $100 per treatment, on top of the cost of the dental treatment. Oral sedation ranges broadly from $150 to $500 for each appointment, with a few different medications preferred for different reasons. The price for IV sedation depends in large part on the duration of the procedure, ranging from $500 to $1,000 at each dental visit. Sedation dentistry isn’t always covered by dental insurance, so make sure to check with your insurance provider first and discuss the specific costs with your dentist as you decide which approach to sedation dentistry is right for you.
The right type of sedation for each patient depends on some key considerations. Sedation dentistry can be used to calm dental anxiety or alleviate fear of dental procedures, providing comfort during routine dental procedures like cleanings or fillings. Sedation dentistry might also be combined with local anesthetics for more complex procedures like removing the wisdom teeth, placing dental implants, or treating infected root canals. For certain patients, sedation dentistry might provide physical benefits; for example, when a patient has a particularly sensitive gag reflex, sedation can help prevent the patient from gagging during a dental procedure, and with certain medical conditions involving the muscles, sedation dentistry can help patients comfortably sit still during procedures. In each case, sedation can help patients who might otherwise avoid dental care establish and maintain a routine that supports a lifetime of oral health, making it an infinitely valuable investment in a smile-filled future.