I have been putting off going to the dentist for years. Now I am starting to get sore gums and toothaches so I am worried that it will get worse if I don’t man up and get to the dentist. It is embarrassing but it is a fear that I can’t seem to get a grip on. I am thinking that sleep dentistry might help but is this something that insurance will cover or do I have to pay for it out of pocket. How much will it cost? Nathan
Nathan – You have a lot of company with other people who fear dental appointments. The fear affects millions of Americans.
Dentists who offer sedation dentistry, or sleep dentistry as some people refer to it, like to treat fearful patients. The dentist and staff will help you to relax, and they won’t make you feel embarrassed about your fear.
Some insurance plans provide limited benefits for sedation dentistry. For example, depending on the procedure, up to one or two hours of sedation may be allowed. If you have a copy of your plan benefits, it may indicate whether or not any coverage is provided for sedation. Otherwise, you can contact the insurance company directly.
The cost of sedation will depend on the type of sedation administered, and the length of your treatment. If your plan does not provide benefits for sedation dentistry, or if the benefits are limited, speak with your dentist about how it can be made affordable for you.
This post is sponsored by Port St. Lucie dentist Dr. Aaron Schamback.