Any emergency can be very frightening, especially if they involve your smile. Although you probably never expect a dental emergency to happen to you, 1 in 6 Americans faces this situation annually. If you or a loved one need immediate dental care, do you know what to do? The first step is to calm down and provide the appropriate first aid at home. Then, call your emergency dentist in Coppell. At Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics, we are always here for our patients, even during emergencies. We’ll get you into the office quickly to stop your pain and save your smile. To get the immediate care you need in a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call us right away!
Do you know what to do in a dental emergency? While it’s easy to panic, we encourage you to stay calm so you can act quickly and correctly. Doing so can sometimes make all the difference between losing and saving a tooth! In a dental emergency, follow these steps:
Dental emergencies can take many forms, making it difficult to determine what constitutes as a problem that needs immediate attention. Some issues occur suddenly and without any warning, like from a fall or auto accident. Others result from an issue that’s been brewing beneath the surface, such as an untreated cavity that has caused an infection. No matter the cause or type, we handle a variety of dental emergencies. While you wait for your appointment, here’s how you can manage common dental emergencies at home:
There isn’t a set fee for dental emergencies because the cost is determined by your treatment plan. We’ll provide you with an estimate and discuss your payment options, like using your dental insurance. If there’s any out-of-pocket balance, our office accepts many forms of payment, including CareCredit.
You can’t fully prevent a dental emergency, but there are several things you can do to lessen your risk of one, including:
A dental emergency can be stressful. Don’t worry, you won’t need to go through the difficult situation alone. Your emergency dentist in Coppell is here for you. We’ll explain how to provide first aid over the phone until you’re able to get into our office. We’ll take the time to address your concerns to help you make the best decisions for your smile. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions we’re asked.
Unless you suspect a broken jaw or you have another medical emergency, it’s best to contact your dentist. Most hospitals aren’t equipped to handle dental emergencies, so they can’t address the underlying cause of your discomfort. At most, they can prescribe painkillers or antibiotics. Instead, it’s best to contact our office for a same-day appointment. We will treat the source of your pain to restore a healthy smile.
No one has time for an unplanned trip to their dentist, but you don’t want to delay getting the care you need. As with any emergency, time is of the highest importance. The sooner you get to your dentist, the better because if you wait too long, you might lose your tooth.
Extracting a tooth eliminates the current problem, but it leads to a new list of complications. Every tooth is vital to your dental health. If you lose even one, new issues can occur. Your jawbone will slowly deteriorate because it isn’t being stimulated by the root. Eventually, your remaining teeth won’t have the support they need to stay in place. As they drift out of position, you’re at risk of new complications, like cavities, gum disease, and additional tooth loss. Not to mention, you’ll need to invest in a dental prosthetic.
Instead, it’s best to save your tooth. We will do what we can to restore its health and function. If there aren’t any viable options to treat it, we will recommend extracting it and replacing it with a prosthetic, like a dental implant.
Although every policy differs, most insurance plans cover emergency dentistry. We will work on your behalf with your insurance company to file the necessary claims and paperwork to reduce the amount you need to pay. We will take the time to explain how your benefits are being used to pay for our services. If you owe a remaining balance, we will discuss your payment options.
We offer several solutions to keep your care affordable. Besides using your dental insurance, we accept traditional forms of payment, as well as third-party financing with CareCredit. You’re given the funds you need to pay for your treatment, which you repay using a plan that accommodates your budget. Our team will help you find the solutions you need to save your smile without breaking the bank.
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