Most people aren’t thrilled about visiting their dentist, but they accept that they have to. However, if you are one of the 30 to 40 million people who suffer from dental anxiety, it can be incredibly difficult to convince yourself to get the dental care you need. Thankfully sedation dentistry is a great option that can help make dental appointments feel more pleasant for even the most nervous patients. But what is the cost of sedation dentistry, and is it worth it? Read on to find out more!
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry aims to use antianxiety medications to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable in the dental chair. Two of the most popular options are:
- Nitrous oxide sedation: This light form of sedation dentistry is administered through a small mask placed over the nose. Within moments of inhaling the colorless, odorless gas, the patient will begin to feel light, content, and at-ease.
- Oral Conscious sedation: For this method, the patient takes an antianxiety medication by mouth to achieve a deeper level of relaxation. While they will remain conscious enough to respond to their dental team’s instructions, they likely won’t remember anything of their treatment afterwards.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
Most dental practices don’t have a set cost for sedation dentistry. This is because the exact price will depend on which type you choose and how much of it you’ll need. Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies view sedation dentistry as a luxury and therefore don’t cover it. There are some exceptions for patients with certain medical conditions or circumstances, but most patients will need to pay for all or most of their sedation out-of-pocket. Thankfully, lighter forms of sedation dentistry like nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are considered to be relatively inexpensive. What’s more, many dentists’ offer financing options that can help break down the cost of your treatment into easy monthly payments.
Sedation Dentistry Isn’t Expensive — But Neglect Is!
Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” as the saying goes. Visiting your dentist regularly allows them to help you prevent oral health issues like tooth decay, damaged enamel, and gum disease, or at least detect them as early as possible. Treating these problems right away is crucial to keeping them from becoming larger, more painful, and more expensive conditions. Investing in your oral health is a choice that will benefit your confidence, overall health, and wallet in the long run!
About the Practice
Celebration Family Dental strives to make dental care as pleasant and affordable as possible for the smiles of Carrolton and the surrounding communities. While they go above and beyond to create a friendly, relaxing environment with excellent customer service, they also provide sedation dentistry options to help everyone get the high-quality dental care they deserve. Additionally, they offer third-party financing through CareCredit to help make maintaining optimal oral health easy and affordable. To learn more, they can be contacted via their website or at (469) 892-6647.