I need to have my wisdom teeth extracted, as well as have two fillings and one dental crown placed. My dentist suggested I see a sedation dentist to have the wisdom teeth done and then return to him for the remainder of the work. Is it possible a sedation dentist can just do all of it so I can get it all done at once or will I need to go to two separate offices? Also, will insurance cover the sedation?
Bethany
Dear Bethany,
These are great questions. Let’s start with will a sedation dentist be able to do all of it. A lot of that will depend on whether or not you are going to an oral surgeon for your wisdom teeth removal or a general dentist. Oral surgeons are typically not able (or willing) to do the general dental work but they will do the wisdom tooth removal. They also will have an anesthesiologist present, which your insurance will cover, at least in part.
If you go to a general dentist, they can do all the work, but whether or not your insurance will cover it depends completely on your plan. Most dental offices have a business manager who is well-versed in what insurance companies will or will not cover. You could set up a consultation with them and see what information they can give you on your specific insurance plan.
Dentists offer a variety of dental sedation options. I recommend looking for someone who offers oral conscious sedation. This will relax you enough that you will completely sleep through the procedure. The caveat to that is you will need someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment, as well as stay with you for a few hours at home until you are lucid and steady on your feet. I would plan on relaxing on the couch for he majority of the day and maybe binging some of your favorite shows.
Whether or not a dentist will do all of it at once, will depend on the extensiveness of the work you need to be done. When you do your consultation, you can go over all of that, and the dentist will advise you on what will be most useful to you.
This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Carl Embury.