Posts for tag: dental insurance
There are few people who have never had a dental problem. Dental issues can range from toothaches and tooth decay to cold sores, abscesses and dental phobias. Since your mouth is the gateway for infection and bacteria to spread throughout your body, having the most information regarding your diagnosis leads to healthy teeth and gums.
Your dentist may have not been able to effectively communicate your treatment options. Specifically, you may have been advised that an aggressive and complicated treatment plan is necessary. You may want to explore whether a less expensive, alternate treatment plan is possible. You may simply want more information regarding your diagnosis.
More and more dental patients are obtaining second opinions prior to undergoing dental surgery or other dental treatment plans, just the same as they would get a second opinion before medical surgery or other medical problems. Low cost second opinions, which may be subsidized by conventional dental insurance, can potentially save you time, money, and multiple visits or procedures.
Honestly, dental work is expensive. For most people, dental insurance is not always a viable option. When it comes to dentistry, the thing that puts people off is the expense. The cost may vary depending on what services you need performed and also varies between dentists. Shopping around will help you find lower cosmetic dentistry costs but be wary about low prices that are too good to be true. Always ask the dentist what the price will include and ask if there will there be extra fees. Some practices will include aftercare, while others do not include any follow up after your treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Sedation Procedures for Dental Work?
It varies from insurance company to insurance company and from procedure to procedure. Most dental insurance companies will cover multiple extractions under IV sedation and certain surgical procedures; however, routine dentistry such as cosmetic work and fillings are not typically covered. Insurance companies will also only cover up to a certain amount of time so if you had dental work that would take 3 hours...your insurance company may only be responsible for 1-2 hours leaving the patient responsible for the remaining time.
Talk with your dentist about your coverage and or contact the insurance company. Questions you should ask your insurance company:
1. Is oral, IV, or laughing gas sedation a covered service?
2. If so, are there limitations on sedation based on procedures and amount of
work that is needing to be done?
3. Is there a frequency or time duration limit on the sedation?
4. Do they require preauthorization before treatment is performed?
5. What is my financial responsbility for the sedation portion of the dental work.
I received a filling to 2 of my teeth a few hours ago and my tongue still feels numb and is relatively swollen
What can i do to help take down the swelling and the numbness?
Great question..I am assuming you had fillings done on the lower jaw. It is very uncommon to have to numb the entire side of the jaw where the tooth receiving the filling is located. When the jaw is numbed, the following are also numbed: teeth, gums, jaw, tongue, and lips. The tongue is actually a good side that the dentist numbed you adequately.
Depending on the dentist injected you, how many injections they gave you and the tye of anesthetic they gave you, it could could range form 30 minutes to 8 hours. It is unlikely you have swelling and the numbness will subside as your body metabolizes it. I would only be concerned if it lasts longer than 1 day. Time is on your side!
Dr.G
