Modern Dental Technology: How Laser Therapy Changes Endodontic Dental Billing

      Laser Dental Treatment: The Future of Endodontic Treatment?
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​        A wide variety of dental and surgical lasers have hit the markets in recent years, increasing their availability and affordability. Laser-assisted endodontics can help with even the trickiest endodontic cases and techniques. What’s more, both patients and providers report better results from laser therapy than from traditional treatments. But figuring out how insurances reimburse laser procedures is one of the primary difficulties in adding laser dentistry to an endodontic practice. However, with the right help, specialists can benefit from laser technology without disturbing their endodontic billing process.

       Some Benefits of Laser Dentistry Positive patient experiences with less vibration and pressure. Lasers cauterize soft tissue, producing less blood than a scalpel. Fewer or no shots to administer. Less painful than traditional Endodontic treatment, with some patients reporting no pain. Reduced post-op swelling and bleeding at the treatment site. Faster healing and recovery. Ideal for patients with high anxiety about dental treatment.

     Considering all of these advantages and more, many endodontists have switched to laser dentistry to make treatment easier on their patients. However, some endodontists hold back because of the unknowns of endodontic billing for laser-assisted procedures.

         How to Bill Laser Dentistry Fortunately, those looking to add laser treatment usually need not worry about learning tons of new codes or navigating major endodontic billing differences. Typically, offices can bill procedures as they normally would without a laser, and they need not indicate the laser on insurance forms. Like a drill or scalpel, a laser is a tool used to perform or assist in performing a procedure, rather than the procedure itself, meaning dental codes stay the same from one tool to the next.

       While endodontic/dental treatment codes generally stay the same, hygiene codes often do vary between traditional therapies and laser-assisted preventive care. As such, general dentists can increase their revenue by sending laser specific claims to dental insurance companies. In addition, each state’s pricing and insurance rules differ, so dental offices must follow the unique regulations and laws in the state where they practice.

          Simplify Laser Endodontic Billing Endodontists and billing staff don’t need to navigate this transition alone. If your office is trying to integrate laser treatment, SB Dental Billing Solutions can help ensure correct endodontic dental billing right from the start.