Insurance

Most of us weren't born with a naturally perfect smile. There's always something that isn't quite right, whether its misshapen teeth, gaps, damage or discoloration. These imperfections can make it very uncomfortable to show your smile, even around friends and loved ones. Even with the stress and self-consciousness that goes with having a lackluster smile, fear of the dentist causes many people to never even try to improve the situation. Sedation cosmetic dentistry can change all that.

Sedation Cosmetic Dentistry Information

Cosmetic dentistry is designed to give people their most beautiful, dazzling smile. Cosmetic dentists are the ones who give Hollywood stars their perfect, bright white teeth. These dentists are qualified to handle all the normal dental health procedures of your regular dentist, but also offer cutting-edge treatments to beautify your pearly whites. Laser whitening, porcelain veneers and invisible orthodontics are among the many treatments offered by cosmetic dentists.

Sedation dentists specialize in treating patients who experience fear and anxiety about visiting the dentist. Also referred to as "sleep dentists," sedation dentists offer patients anti-anxiety medications or (in some cases) anesthetic options for making their dental visits as stress-free and pain-free as possible.

For many patients, it's embarrassment over their smile or their tooth condition that makes them nervous about seeing a dentist in the first place. Sedation cosmetic dentistry is specially designed for this sort of patient. Sedation cosmetic dentists understand the frustration and lack of confidence that come with an unsatisfying smile, and provide their patients with a calming and confidence-building dental experience.

Sedation Cosmetic Dentistry Costs

Even for standard checkup and cleaning visits, dental care can be expensive. Most insurance providers offer very limited coverage for special procedures, causing both sedation and cosmetic dentistry patients to pay out of pocket. In cosmetic dentistry, the costs can be equated with cosmetic surgery, which is also rarely covered by insurance providers. Since it's seen as voluntary, rather than necessary, treatment, insurance companies typically don't offer any assistance in offsetting cosmetic surgery or dentistry costs.

Sedation dentistry requires the use of sedatives or anesthesia, which is also paid for out of pocket. For most basic visits, sedation dentists will administer anti-anxiety medications such as diazepam (Valium) or triazolam (Halcion). These medications can cost up to $400, depending on your insurance and prescription coverage.

For more extensive procedures, anesthetics ranging from regular nitrous oxide "laughing gas" up to general or intravenous (IV) anesthesia may be recommended. Anesthetics must be administered by a dental anesthesiologist, who are typically not part of your dentist's practice. Anesthesiologists typically bill in time increments rather than by the procedure, so their rates may escalate by procedure. The cost of anesthetics is rarely covered in cosmetic and sedation dentistry, meaning patients must pay for both the anesthesia itself and the billing from the dental anesthesiologist.

Despite the out-of-pocket costs, cosmetic dentistry patients generally consider their treatments a small price to pay for confidence and feeling attractive. More and more people are turning to cosmetic sedation dentistry as a way to get the brilliant, beautiful smile they've always wanted.