Does anyone know if insurance will cover cavitation surgery? I spoke with the receptionist at the dental office where I am scheduled to receive the surgery in January and she said that it is dangerous to even file for reimbursement from insurance. She says that other dentists have been put out of business by Aetna Insurance for filing claims for patients who had this surgery. From what I understand, the problem is, the ADA is telling the insurance companies that cavitations in the jaw bone is a condition that does not exist. If a condistion doesn't exist, it can't be covered. I don't want to get this dentist in trouble by filing a claim that could potentially put them out of business, but I think the out-of-pocket cost is too big to afford otherwise.
Has anyone successfully filed for reimbursement for cavitation surgery? How much of the cost did they cover? What insurance codes did you file the claims under? Anything else I should know before filing the claims?
I have BCBS for my medical insurance and Cigna and Tricare for my dental insurance.
UPDATE:
I have found a dentist who has and is currently submitting claims for cavitation surgery successfully and says has had no problems doing so. This dentist charges only $300 per tooth site vs $1000+ like most others dentists performing cav surgery.
I will not post this dentist's name on this forum for his own protection but it you would like to get the contact info, please send a message to my inbox on this site. Myself and another family member are scheduled to have the cavitation surgery done in mid-June. I am not expecting instant healing or relief from current health problems. I think it will take time for us to see/feel results after surgery. I will try to post back here about our experiences later.
First of all, what is cavitation, how did you get it and how do you have surgery for something that technically doesn't exist? If dentists are getting in trouble for filing claims for the surgery than how do you know if it is nessecary or safe?
Don't pay someone to cut when you can (oil) pull all by yourself. (Far) Cheaper, (far) more effective, and (far)less painful. Ok I'll give the parenthesis a rest now.
wish you could oil pull to get rid of cavitations but I don't believe you can. I have been oil pulling to keep from getting cavities though. That has been working quite well in removing tartar and plaque build-up on my teeth. Cavitations are located in the jaw bone, below the surface of the gum line in the pockets where teeth used to live before they were extracted. The only way I'm aware of to get rid of them is with surgery.
A cavity or cavitation means empty space. I'm not sure how surgery will remove a space unless it's to fill it with something. And if so, what it's filled with would be a major concern.
OP won't get rid of a gum cavity, but if you use antibacterial oils like coconut, oregano, etc it can help keep the canal clean and uninfected. I can't guarantee it, but I strongly suspect surgery will do more harm than good as usual.
that is correct, a cavitation is an empty space in the jawbone where the tooth used to live. The jaw bone is capable of healing a hole that was made my having a tooth extracted from it but it is inhibited when conventional methods of extraction are used, leaving behind ligaments and a socket that had not been properly cleaned. the cavitation surgery involves opening up that pocket at the sight where the tooth was extracted and scraping out any infection. Scraping and drilling should be done until good, health bone has been reached.
Oil pulling can prevent problems that occur on the surface of the mouth and teeth but not issue that occur below the gum line. Since I had my wisdom teeth extracted 10 years ago, a thin layer of bone has healed over the surface, covering the extraction site and creating a pocket in the bone where the infection has become trapped. No amount of oil pulling with any oil will be able to draw infection from an area covered with bone (see link) http://www.dentalhelp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=whatiscavitation
"Where focal infection is concerned, the chief initiating factor appears to be trauma to the jawbone. Such trauma may be physical, bacterial and/or toxic in nature. The most common initiating physical trauma seems to be tooth extraction as it is commonly performed. Most of us lost our wisdom teeth (3rd molars) early in life, either because they were causing a problem or because it was feared that they might. Ironically, extracting a wisdom tooth to prevent problems may end up causing problems instead. Often dentists (including oral surgeons) do not take the time when extracting a tooth to make sure all of the ligament that holds the tooth to the bone is removed, nor do they routinely remove a portion of the bone (which may be infected) that lines the socket. The result is that remaining portions of the ligament (which no longer serves a function) form a barrier to healing by interfering with blood flow to the area. Although the extraction site appears to heal properly, it is not uncommon for actual holes or pockets to form beneath the surface of the gum. When aerobic bacteria (those requiring oxygen) get trapped in such an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment, they change form and give rise to the production of extremely potent toxins. The hidden hole in the jawbone, a cavitation, has thus become an invisible incubation chamber for microbes, whose toxic waste products weaken the entire body."
The Dr. I've chosen to do the surgery has many years of experience in doing cavitation surgery specifically among other biologically accepted procedures and has worked directly with Dr. Robert Dowling - http://northcarolinainstituteoftechnology.com/
You seem sold on this so by all means follow your bliss. Just a few points though. Even if trauma somehow "initiated" an infection, it takes bacteria to have an infection which the right oils can get rid of.
I know, I had an infection at the root of my tooth that i used OP instead of the recommened two root canals to cure.
Second, the idea that a dentist can somehow "scrape away" bacteria and get 100% of it seems far fetched. I would hope that he also adds some kind of antibiotic once he's in there.
However your assertion that OP only works on the surfaces of the mouth is 100% incorrect. The mouth is the most absorbable area of the body, and OP with antibacterial oils works fantastically well for infected root canals and other cavitations.
If you want to spend the money, time, pain and recovery time to do the surgery - go ahead if you're sold on it. But OP is so inexpensive, easy, painfree and even enjoyable I think you'd be wise to try it first.
I wouldn't be so adamant about this if I had hadn't used OP myself to cure the root tooth infection I mentioned before. I used nothing but OP with flax and oregano oil, and also some colloidal silver swishing.
It saved me 4 hours of root canal misery, $1100, and most important two of my teeth that are healthy as ever instead of being severed and screwed back onto my gums.
I appreciate your concern for my well being and the advice which I believe is well intended.
I did say in a previous message that I agree that oil pulling is hugely beneficial in maintaining good oral health in general since I have been doing it myself for almost a year now. It has the ability to rid the exposed surfaces of your mouth of bad bacteria and viruses each time you pull. I have seen an overall decrease in tartar and plaque buildup, whiter and cleaner teeth, healthy looking gums and fresher breath. It is a habit I plan to continue indefinitely.
If you can show me research as evidence that oil pulling can get rid of cavitations (not cavities), I would be more than happy to consider that it may be true. However, in my research I have not found any information indicating that this is true. I believe that you are not informed about the cause of cavitations or you would know that an infection in an extraction site encased by bone cannot be removed by any other method but with surgery.
It is not my own research but findings that have been reported by Dr. Robert Dowling at NCIT (cancercured.org) that I am referring to. If you are going to dispute this information, please do me a favor and read about his findings before you dismiss the info I'm presenting based on your personal opinion.
One more thing, a cavitation infection cannot be treated with antibiotics b/c there is no blood source in the jawbone. You need blood to transport antibiotics.
Please, let's keep the subject of this posting on my original line "Will insurance pay for cavitation surgery?"
I never said oil pulling got rid of cavities, cavatations or anything of th kind. I did claim that antibacterial oils can absorb in the mouth and help with root canal cavaties and teeth that are infected below the gumline.
I had a friend that graduated dental school. When I told her how I cured my tooth infection with oil pulling, she said the same thing: that infections can only be removed by surgery, and in a matter of months not years my tooth infection will come roaring back worse than before. It's been years and my infected teeth have gone and stayed back to normal with no hint of re-infection.
Since you're already pulling I'll bow out since it's obviously not giving you all the relief you need. You're right that I know little to nothing about cavitation surgery, it's just that as you describe it I'm very suspicious that scraping away bacteria and infection will be effective long term. I know how dentists find procedures that are more designed to help their bottom line than your oral health. But I'll be quiet now.
can you please, please, please share the name of your doc w/me. i've been trying for years to find a competent surgeon to remove my cavitations...which i know are there from i cat scans and prior surgeries...but the prior surgeons have not gotten all of the problem areas cleaned out. i need to find someone who really knows what they are doing and has a great track record.
hi Lisa I mailed you a while ago. Dr.Wes Shankland is highly knowledgable on this condition and does not instantly jump into surgery. http://www.drshankland.com
Besides just scraping away infections most of these cavitation surgeons use peroxide and/or Iodine solutions to disinfect the areas...and sometimes will pack the area with medicated stuff. I've never had it done but I have been told the surgery is less of a big deal than pulling a tooth. Only millimeters of bone are scraped, not huge chunks.
The Insurance coverage always depends upon what type of severity of the surgery.
So it will be better to provide all the details regarding the surgery for claiming the insurance.
I decided to have the cavitation surgery whether insurance pays for it or not.
The dentist I'm using is trained in cavitation surgery using the Huggins method as explained here - http://www.hugginsappliedhealing.com/alliancedentist.php
using conscious sedation which allows healing to cross the mid-line of the body. So as the infection from the cavitation site is removed, the body it able to recognize it and start to heal immediately.
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Dr. Huggins and his team train the individual doctors to practice the Huggins Protocol safely. Alliance members offer the computer-generated Huggins Recovery Program of blood interpretations, biocompatible dental materials, sequential removal of offending materials, a clean air environment as provided by negative ion generators that remove mercury from the surrounding air, instructional videos and informed consent. In addition, the Abbreviated Program also offers acupressure, massage, in-house blood interpretations for nutritional guidelines, a day of classes, and conscious sedation.
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"Cavitations are the new kid on the block. Although described by the Father of Modern Dentistry, Dr. G.V. Black in the early 1900's, and published in many dental articles (mostly outside the US), they are unknown to many dentists. Even the ADA claims they do not exist. When a tooth is removed, the periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to bone (similar to the afterbirth around a fetus) is left in according to instructions from dental schools. The ligament often prevents bone healing of the socket area. Today, this hole is termed a "cavitation". This is almost always true (over 99% of the time) in wisdom tooth areas. These holes left unhealed are generally lined with necrotic (dead) bone and many of the same anaerobic bacteria that are found in dead or root canal teeth. The ones that are often related to autoimmune diseases. Porphyrins (the energy producing molecule in the blood stream) are particularly attacked by products within the cavitation, therefore offering less oxygen transport and energy molecules for healing and daily operation of the body."
saw the dentist closest to me who has 18 years of experience doing cavitation surgery yesterday. glad I made the trip! they advised that I wait to find out if my insurance will cover the surgery before I go ahead with it b/c it's such a huge out-of-pocket expense. decided to wait for now. Cavitat machine confirmed that i have 4 cavitation sites in my mouth and my husband has three in his. a chiropractor working out of the same office was able to do muscle testing to confirm which tooth sites had the cavitations - amazing stuff! he also used muscle testing to test for safe composite materials to be used for both of us - pretty cool! had about 6 filings replaced that had started to loose their seal and allow food to get trapped between tooth and filling and had a couple cavities under those spots taken care of all while under conscious sedation - very nice option I must say. you don't really remember much of the procedure as you fall into a light sleep. husband also had a mercury vapor test done confirming that level of mercury escaping from his filling each time he chews is 0.3 as compared to the level considered toxic by the EPA being 0.1 - yikes! so he had that one Amalgam filling safely removed wearing a mask and intraveneous vitamin C to speed healing. no we play the waiting game to see what insurance will say. I have BCBS for my medical insurance but this office says that company in their experience, won't pay. has to be filled as a medical claim, not dental b/c it's a surgery. not sure which insurance companies will cover it though. anyone have any ideas?
I am sorry I don't have an answer for you about whether insurance will cover the procedures. I don't have insurance myself anyways.
I have at least two toxic root canals I know of and also suspect cavitations and additionally I have 10 or so mercury amalagams. One the root canaled teeth is associated with the adrenal gland (lower right lateral incisor, #26 tooth and is a contributing factor to the stage 3d adrenal fatigue and severe fibromyalgia that has debilitated me.
If you wouldn't mind, would you share how much the evaluation, testing, X-rays, surgeries, and crowns will cost?
you may PM me if you don't wish to post in open forum. thanks
In answer to your question about the costs, I can tell you what this dentist charges. Some may charge more and some less. I choose this one b/c of the years of experience and the aggressive way that cavitations are treated the first time so the need for a second surgery is not necessary.
Cavitation evaluation (2 hours): $495
Hair analysis testing: $41
Full set of X-rays: not sure but covered by my insurance
Cavitation surgery cost per site: $1,500
You asked about crowns. This dentist does not believe in using crowns as they allow bacteria to get trapped against the tooth and can lead to cavitations over time.
Let me know if you have any other questions. If you would like the name of the dentist I saw who is located in the Northeast, let me know and I will send the contact info to your inbox.
Thank you Rocknlocks for the information! Please keep me posted on how you do with your procedures. I am going to read your previous posts in detail when I have more time. Right now my condition is not stable enough to undergo the surgery nor do I have the finances but I want to learn and do further research. I wish you all the best and good health.
Okay, just wanted to update you with some new information I just recently came across regarding this surgery. I was able to locate a dentist in central US who does the cavitation surgery for $300 per tooth site, which is $1,200 less per tooth than the quote I got in January from another place. My husband and I will finally be able to afford to get our C's caused by improper wisdom tooth removal, taken care of! Yes, we will have to travel but even with the cost of plane tickets, rental car and hotel, we are still paying less than 1/3 the cost of what we had initially been told it would be.
The only difference is that this dentist does not use conscious sedation, just numbs the site with an injection and there is no intravenous vitamin C given during the procedure. That's okay with me though. I actually was fully conscious during my W tooth removal so it can't be that much different going back into that same tooth site again.
If anyone is interested in attaining info about this dentist I would be happy to send you a private email message with that person's contact info so as to protect that person from those who do not believe cavitations exist and want to punish those who treat them. Please send a message to my inbox (tip right hand corner of this page) on this site.
This depends on the coverage you have applied for. Dental coverage is optional in getting a health insurance. Then when you apply for dental, there are also options on regular dental check up or surgeries included.
Do you still have dentist who specializes in cavitationa and only charges $ 300 per site? How are you doing with
the surgery you had? Thank-you for your help.
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Will insurance pay for cavitation surgery? 
