Will insurance cover sedation dentistry?

I need 3 fillings replaced. I’ve had the fillings since I was 15 years old. 2 weeks ago one of them cracked. It broke a piece of the tooth off so bad that I had to go to an emergency dentist. He said I now need a crown. I am dreading this work that needs to be done. The dentist saw my anxiety level increases as he was explaining everything that needs to be done. He said that a sedation  dentist might help me relax and if I wanted to I could go to another dentist who offers it. I’ve haven’t been to a dentist for about 5 months because my old dentist left his practice. Now the thought of being sedated by a new dentist and having this be the first major work done for me is making me more nervous. Is this something that insurance covers?

Whether or not insurance provides benefits for sedation dentistry depends on your individual plan and the type of sedation offered. Some procedures are billed to dental insurance, and others are billed to dental insurance. In advance of your procedure, the dental office can contact your insurance companies to determine if any benefits are provided. Keep in mind that it is unlikely that insurance will cover the entire cost, but some benefits might be provided.

If sedation dentistry is used during an appointment with an oral surgeon, an anesthesiologist might be present to administer it. The insurance will likely provide some benefits for the sedation, which is often referred to as twilight.

Sedation at a dental office for general procedures is usually nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. Anti-anxiety medication is given for oral conscious sedation, and insurance generally doesn’t cover it.

You can search for experienced sedation dentists who use different levels of sedation, depending on your procedure and anxiety level. Ask about each dentist’s training, credentials, and experience. Schedule a consultation with two or three sedation dentists and get a feel for how you are treated as a patient. If you are comfortable with the dentist and his or her office environment, it might be easier to trust the dentist with giving you medication to help you relax.

Remember that you will still be conscious during your appointment and able to respond to the dentist’s questions, and to let the dentist know if you are experiencing any discomfort. Your vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure.

Ensure you are comfortable and have enough information about sedation dentistry and your dental procedures before you schedule an appointment to have your dental work completed. It help your appointment to go smoothly.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Is this free teeth whitening damaging my tooth enamel?

I got free teeth whitening a couple of months ago and I think that it is started to damage my tooth enamel. My teeth are starting to a weird color. Also they are super sensitive to anything cold. Sometimes even if I am not drinking anything cold, I get this powerful shock in my teeth that really hurts. I took ibuprofen last night and that seemed to help. At first I really thought the stuff was working because my teeth looked whiter. Now they don’t look or feel good. I guess I should stop using it. Can it permanently damage my tooth enamel? Thanks. Joseph

Joseph – You should stop using the free teeth whitening. You didn’t mention how often you use the whitening gel, but if you are using it more than once a month, you are probably using it too often.

Any type of bleaching gel, if used frequently, can weaken your tooth enamel and even discolor your teeth. If bleaching gel is professional strength, usually touchup treatments are needed once or twice a year. If you smoke or drink daily, touchups may need to be more frequent, perhaps quarterly.

But bleaching your teeth daily or weekly should be avoided. Teeth whitening treatments that are unsupervised by a dentist can damage your tooth enamel. Your teeth can become translucent and very sensitive.

Schedule an appointment with a dentist to examine your teeth and to look at the ingredients in the bleaching gel you are using. The dentist will be able to determine if your free teeth whitening gel is causing the sensitivity in your teeth and if it has done any lasting damage to your teeth.

Some dentists offer free teeth whitening or discounted teeth whitening to patients who maintain their regular cleaning and examination appointments. This is a safe way to brighten your smile and get predictable results. Your dentist will monitor the progress and decrease or increase the strength of the bleaching gel, depending on how it is affecting your teeth. He or she will also let you know how frequently you should do touchups.

Schedule an examination with an experienced cosmetic dentist as soon as possible.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Need an affordable dentist for 3 chipped teeth

I really need to find an affordable dentist. I have been out of full-time work since April of this year. Last week I had a bike accident that chipped 3 of my teeth. They are so sensitive. They hurt if I drink cold water, eat anything cold and even the cold air makes them hurt. I know that I can’t keep going like this so I have to do something about it. My budget is really tight and I am wondering if because I need 3 crowns whether the dentist will give me a discount. – Niles

Niles – Yes, you can find an affordable dentist to treat your chipped teeth. He or she will first need to examine your teeth to determine the extent of the damage. If the damage is limited, depending on which teeth are chipped, dental bonding may be able to restore them. Dental bonding will provide a secure restoration for central and lateral incisors, as well as canine teeth. If that’s the case, you won’t need crowns at all, and bonding is less expensive than a dental crown.

Molar teeth, on which more pressure is exerted for biting and chewing, may need a sturdier restoration, such as a dental crown. If you do need crowns, you can find a dentist who can make them affordable for you.

Some dentists have in-office discount plans for patients who don’t have dental insurance. Another alternative is to speak with the dentist about payment plans for your care. Financing with no-interest payments are often available. Contact the offices of a few skilled dentists to find out your options to get affordable dental care.

If you are feeling sensitivity in your teeth, you need to get them examined and treated as soon as possible. Tooth cracks, fractures, or breaks can worsen in with time when they are left untreated. The condition of your teeth and accompanying pain can get worse. The sooner you receive treatment, the easier the restoration will be. It can also help you avoid more aggressive treatment and the expense that comes with it.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.