IV sedation needed for wisdom teeth removal?

[Belle5]

We are getting estimates for our son to have his four impacted wisdom teeth removed. One office called us yesterday and told us that their office is not "in network" with any insurance company, however, they give free IV sedation (a $700 value according to them) which most insurance companies won't cover. She suggested that the savings should more than offset the fact that they are not "in network". So, is it typical to need IV sedation for this procedure? If so, why would insurance not cover it?

 

[Justsyd2]

It's elective. I didn't get it when I had mine removed, and I saved a lot of money. They still give you shots so it doesn't hurt, so the only difference was that I was awake instead of sedated. There was some pressure but nothing that scared me. I was totally fine!

 

[minnie1928]

I had my impacted wisdom teeth pulled with IV sedation and wouldn't have done it without it, but I'm also a big baby.

Rather than take their word for it, why don't you call your insurance company and find out directly from them?

 

[prncess674]

It makes a big difference if the teeth are impacted. Basically if the teeth are impacted they are still below the gum line and will need to cut open the gums and crack them out. Pretty violent stuff. IV sedation was covered when I had mine taken out. I would check with your insurance on that part.

 

[Jennabeth]

My DH and I both had IV sedation when our wisdom teeth were removed. Insurance covered it, no problem (Delta Dental). I highly recommend it, especially if they are impacted.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had my wisdom teeth removed in three different rounds.

I had two taken out in college with nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

The other two were to be removed at the same time 5 years later. BUT--one was hurting so bad (it was coming out) that I went in early, but due to their schedule I was not able to get nitrous, that was okay.

When I went back a few weeks later to have the impacted one out, I couldn't have nitrous b/c I found out I was pregnant (at the time they woudln't let me.) That was holy hell. While it didn't "hurt", the amount of force they actually use and the fact that I was aware and probably applying force of my own didn't help. I don't like pressure and don't like force--and those things are necessary.


Nitrous worked fine for me--but it almost didn't the first time and they almost made me come back at another time and be put out. But they were able to proceed as the nitrous kicked in. If I had to have any more teeth removed, I wouldn't do it without it--but that was it for my wisdom teeth.

If your son freaks out when having a cavity filled-that would be an indicator for getting put under.

But if past dental procedures have been easy peasy--then likely a local will be all that he needs.

You may want nitrous on standby just in case he needs a little help.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had IV sedation, and although they gave me the max dose, I was still wide awake - but high as a kite! It was pretty noisy when they were getting them out - I would've freaked without the sedation.

 

[OnePrincess]

I was sedated when I had my wisdom teeth taken out. Two were impacted and two they could pull but it still would have been tough because of how they were coming in. My insurance covered everything with no problem.

 

[NCRedding]

I'm a big baby when it comes to teeth stuff, plus 4 of my 5 (yes, I had extras) wisdom teeth were impacted, so I did IV sedation. I will say I think it made my recovery longer, but I wouldn't have done it any other way.

 

[Starbrite]

My DD7 had to have some major dental work done. (Well everything is major to her...she doesn't do well at the dentist). Our dentist recommended sedation since she has such a hard time. I had to pay the anesthieologist (sp?) $800 out of pocket, then file with the insurance. Of course the insurance co denied it. We appealed & I had my dentist write a letter to the ins co advising that there was no way he could've completed this procedure without the IV Sedation, in his professional opionion it was medically necessary. 2 weeks later I received payment-in-full from the insurance co .

Definately check with your insurance co. Also, if they say it's not covered ask if there is a list of exceptions.

 

[momof1princess]

all 4 of my wisdom teeth were impacted-one was so deeply entrenched, it had to be broken into pieces and removed one piece at a time. i had IV sedation, but not in an oral surgeon's office-it was done at a local surgery center. my DH had 3 removed-he has all 4, but oral surgeon said if he removed the 4th, DH's bite would be crooked. DH had IV sedation and it was done in the oral surgeon's office (same one who did my surgery). perhaps you could contact the oral surgeon's office and discuss any other options you might have, or seek a 2nd opinion?

 

[bradyloganmom]

DH had IV sedation in the dentist's office. His were very impacted. Insurance covered it. Good luck! HINT/ADVICE----bags of frozen peas work much better that traditional ice packs!

 

[ajk912]

I don't know why insurances won't cover sedation. My pediatric dentist won't even work on a kid without it. They say it traumatizes the kid to not have sedation, and they want to keep happy patients with tons of rainbows and sushine. I still pay the $171 sedation fee for my 5 year old, but I put my foot down when my kids are about 7. I am like..seriously..unless there is a NEED, I am not doing that sedation anymore. It's too expensive!!! So now I am a mean mom who makes the big kids do dental work with just novocaine and laughing gas. I know, seriously, call CPS on me. But like my last example..my 5 year old got two tiny fillings. That dental sedation was the most expensive part of the procedure! And it didn't take long at all..I really think my 5 year old would have been fine with just the novocaine and a tv for her to watch. Heck, it takes just about as long to get your teeth cleaned as it does to do a quick filling or two.

 

[mamalle]

I would think you want something. I had all four of mine out in 2000 at a oral surgeon's office. He had them out in 20 minutes I received a shot right into my anticubital area (like where a IV would be) of valium.. Never had that down before but it did the trick for sure.. the week prior I had a dumb dentist spend 1.5 hours trying to pull out just one of them which didnt happen.. he kept trying to numb me up and it was a horrible experience..

 

[LIFERBABE]

Insurance will most likely cover it, but you will have to pay oop to your provider since they are out of network.

My son was 4 when he had to have teeth removed and required sedation. It is an outpatient procedure not covered by Dental, but by your medical. The IV part is medical insurance.

What I did was sign up with a cheap discount plan. Got a treatment plan complete with procedure codes from my doctor and start shopping for a plan that specifically covers as prescribed.

Then I used the discount plan to get the cash pricing and paid the discounted fee for the procedure at the time of service. I filed my claim with the insurance company and was reimbursed everything but my deductible. I paid less than $300 total for everything including the extra insurance which I cancelled upon expiration.

You really have to coordinate your own benefits when you need major procedures that are not emergencies or pay more out of pocket.

HTH!

 

[Saraheg2107]

I had IV sedation for mine. I had all 4 taken out at once and they were impacted. Like PP’s have said, it is a matter of personal preference. While I would not have felt the pain per say, there is a lot of tugging, pulling and breaking going on during the procedure, I did not want to be awake to see OR hear any of that. I have heard it can get really nasty. As it was, not to get to gory, one was particularly stuck, and when they finally got it out it kinda rolled down my front, so I woke up to a trail of blood going down the part of my shirt not covered, I am extremely glad that I didn't see that happening. My insurance covered it, the Dentist told them I needed it. I would check with the insurance company first, sometimes if it is declared medically needed by the Doctor they will push it through.

 

[pixie921]

I had all 4 of mine out at once, and three were severely impacted. I only had novocaine shots (4 total IIRC), and there was hardly any discomfort during the procedure (certainly nothing I'd describe as "pain"). To me, IV sedation is scary.

 

[ameraumi]

I only had 2 wisdom teeth, both on the bottom. I guess I was lucky that my upper ones never formed. Anyways, I opted for IV sedation since they were impacted. The office billed both my dental as well as medical ins. I only had to pay a small portion of it this way.

 

[surfergirl602]

It really makes a difference if you teeth are really badly impacted. If they are crooked, around the nerve, etc. in most places its required. I had to have it because my bottom two had to be chiseled out in several pieces. I got mine out in april.

 

[greens_in_WA]

I was sedated. I had a friend who wasn't - said his neck muscles were sore for the longest time after - due to the strain and resistence - being pulled around at all.

Good luck with your insurance.