Arestin is not covered by insurance because insurers regard it as a supplementary treatment for periodontal disease, only covering procedures deemed essential for medical reasons.
Furthermore, some insurance providers see Arestin as an experimental or investigational therapy due to its recent market entry and insufficient evidence of long-term effectiveness.
Can Arestin be purchased without insurance coverage?
Arestin can be purchased without insurance coverage, but it can be very expensive. The normal retail cost of Arestin without health insurance is $3,823.85 per 30, 1MG Miscellaneous.
Some dental professionals may offer discounts or payment plans for patients who need Arestin but cannot afford it.
However, some insurance plans may classify periodontal disease treatment as a cosmetic procedure, which is typically not covered by insurance.
Therefore, it is important to check with your insurance provider before getting Arestin treatment to see if you are eligible for any coverage or reimbursement.
What are the potential side effects of using Arestin?
Arestin may cause some side effects, such as:
- Bleeding from the gums
- Mouth irritation
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Mouth ulcers
- Headache
- Infection
- Flu-like symptoms
- Pain
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Allergic reaction (rare but serious)
Are there any alternative treatments for periodontitis that are covered by insurance?
There are some alternative treatments for periodontitis that may be covered by insurance, depending on your plan and your dental condition. Some of these treatments include:
Scaling and root planing (SRP): This is a procedure that involves manually removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and their roots, and smoothing out rough spots on the roots where bacteria can gather. SRP is a widely used treatment for gum disease and may be sufficient for mild to moderate cases.
Flap surgery: This is a surgery that involves making cuts in the gums to fold back the tissue and expose the tooth roots for more effective scaling and root planing. Flap surgery may be needed for severe cases of periodontitis that have caused bone loss or deep pockets.
Soft tissue grafts: This is a surgery that involves taking tissue from another part of your mouth (such as the roof of your mouth) and attaching it to the affected gum area to cover exposed tooth roots and prevent further gum recession. Soft tissue grafts may be needed for cases of periodontitis that have caused gum shrinkage or tooth sensitivity.
How effective is Arestin compared to other periodontal treatments?
According to some clinical studies, Arestin is more effective than SRP alone in reducing pocket depth, which is a measure of gum disease severity.
Arestin also significantly reduces bleeding on probing of the gums and kills the bacteria most commonly associated with periodontitis.
However, Arestin is not a cure for periodontitis and may not work for everyone.
It is intended to be used as an adjunct to SRP and good oral hygiene practices.
Some other periodontal treatments that may be effective include flap surgery, soft tissue grafts, laser therapy, and bone grafts.
These treatments may be more invasive, costly, or risky than Arestin.
What is the average cost of Arestin treatment without insurance coverage?
The cost for Arestin alone is estimated to be between $30 and $55 per site or tooth. Per quadrant (a section of your mouth), you may be looking at an average of $60 to $95. This is the cost without any insurance.
However, Arestin is usually used in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP), which is a procedure that involves removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and their roots.
The cost of SRP may range from $200 to $400 per quadrant without insurance. Therefore, the total cost of Arestin and SRP may be around $260 to $495 per quadrant without insurance.
What is the typical duration of Arestin treatment?
The typical duration of Arestin treatment may vary depending on your dental condition, your response to the medication, and your dentist’s recommendation.
However, a general guideline is that Arestin is usually applied once every three months for up to nine months.
This means that you may need to have three SRP sessions with the Arestin application in total.
After each Arestin application, you should avoid touching the treated area, brushing or flossing the treated teeth, eating hard or sticky foods, or using dental floss or toothpicks for 10 days.
You should also avoid using mouthwashes that contain alcohol for 12 hours after each application.
These precautions are to help Arestin stay in place and work effectively.
How often do patients require retreatment with Arestin?
The frequency of retreatment with Arestin may depend on several factors, such as the severity of your gum disease, your response to the medication, your oral hygiene habits, and your dentist’s recommendation.
However, a general guideline is that Arestin is usually applied once every three months for up to nine months.
This means that you may need to have three SRP sessions with the Arestin application in total.
Some patients may require more or less retreatment with Arestin depending on their individual circumstances.
For example, some patients may have persistent or recurrent gum disease that requires more frequent or longer-term use of Arestin.
On the other hand, some patients may have improved gum health which allows them to reduce or stop using Arestin.
Are there any long-term risks associated with using Arestin?
The potential long-term risks of Arestin use might vary depending on personal sensitivity to the drug, medical background, and oral care practices.
Some possible risks are:
Tooth color alteration: Arestin could lead to a permanent yellow-gray-brown hue in teeth for children under 8 years old, and this change will persist.
Increased sun vulnerability: Arestin may heighten sun sensitivity, resulting in a greater likelihood of sunburns. It is advisable to limit sun exposure and employ sunscreen and protective clothing outdoors.
Allergic response: Some individuals allergic to minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics might experience a severe, life-threatening reaction to Arestin. Symptoms could include rash, hives, itching, facial, throat, or tongue swelling, breathing difficulties, or shock. Seek prompt medical care if any allergic reaction signs are present.
Systemic impact: Arestin, designed for local application, should not cause systemic effects due to minimal drug absorption. However, it is possible for Arestin to enter the bloodstream and impact other body parts, potentially leading to headaches, stomach issues, infections, flu-like symptoms, or pain. Report any unusual or troubling symptoms to a doctor while using Arestin.
