Posts for tag: dental sedation
If I have to have dental surgery, would dental sedation be a good option for me?
Yes, dental sedation has been and will continue to be a great modality to help with patient comfort. Sedation dentistry will help patients cope with anxiety, be able to sleep better the night before, create amnesia which eliminates knowledge of the procedure, and certainly provide pain control so the patient has a comfortable visit. Talk to your dentist about dental sedation and how it can improve your next dental visit!
Can I drive if I am given sedation drugs before my dental appointment?
Under NO circumstances can you drive with any sedation drugs in your system. Sedation drugs not only relax your muscles but it can impair your judgement, your reflexes, and awareness. Operating heavy machinery, exercising, decision making is discouraged while potentially under the influence of sedation drugs.
What if I am only taking a valium? My dentist used to give me a valium the night before, can I still drive myself?
Valium is used as a sedative and sometimes as a sleep agent therefore not recommended. If you were involved in an accident and were under the influence of valium, you would be liable/responsible regardless of how you feel. Think of it like only having 3 beers and saying "I feel fine....I can drive home". Do NOT take any sedatives/sleep agents if you plan to drive yourself to a dental appointment.
Question: Can Sedation Dentistry eliminate the need for needles?
Answer: No, local anesthesia is still necessary to provide pain control. Sedation dentistry helps promote anxiolysis, the reduction of anxiety before a dental procedure. While it helps with anxiety, it does not prevent pain, only the anticipation of pain. Interestingly, sedation dentistry has been shown to decrease the typical amount of local anesthesia needed to provide pain control. There are many patients who pursue sedation dentistry because they have difficulty getting numb or simply do not like discomfort of the injections. Talk to your dentist about how sedation dentistry can help decrease the fear of injections while providing superior pain control.
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.
What Kind of Dental Work Can Be Done Under Sedation?
Most dental procedures can be performed safely under sedation such as fillings, crowns, root canals, deep cleanings, extractions etc. The more important limiting factor is the amount of work that needs to be accomplished as the type of sedation will determine how much work can be completed. For example, more extensive work can be performed acceptably and much safer under IV sedation versus oral sedation or laughing gas. The type of sedation prescribed to the patient is based on medical history of the patient, level of anxiety and the amount of dental work needed!
