Emergency Dentist — Coppell, TX
Get the Immediate Care You Need
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!
Why Choose Sandy Lake Dental & Orthodontics for Emergency Dental Care?
- #1 Team of Highly Trained Dentists Focuses On Your Comfort
- #2 Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- #3 Multiple Ways to Make Emergency Dental Care Affordable
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
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:
- Step 1: Call us as soon as you can so we can schedule you for a same-day emergency appointment.
- Step 2: Follow our first-aid instructions over the phone as we walk you through how to manage your situation until you can reach us.
- Step 3: See us for your emergency exam, where your Coppell emergency dentist will evaluate your condition and eliminate any pain you’re feeling.
- Step 4: Make a treatment plan once we’ve fully explained all your treatment options, including their estimated price and length.
- Step 5: Get the fast, professional care you need no matter what emergency you face! Our experienced team will jump into action as soon as a treatment plan has been created so we can get you back to enjoying a happy, healthy, and pain-free smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
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:
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Since the cost is determined by your treatment plan, there isn’t a set fee for dental emergencies. Don’t worry – that doesn’t mean that understanding the price will be difficult. Quite the opposite since we will provide you with an estimate and discuss your payment options first. If you want to learn more about the cost of emergency dentistry leading up to your appointment, then read on.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
The category “emergency dentistry” encompasses everything from cavities and loose restorations to completely knocked-out teeth. As a result, there isn’t a flat fee. To determine the necessary treatment (and the corresponding price), your Coppell dentist will need to conduct a thorough oral exam and take X-rays. From there, they can determine the root of the problem, how severe the damage is, and which restorative services are needed to restore the look, health, and function of your smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
It’s common for dental insurance providers to cover a portion of the cost – whether it’s the emergency exam or the restoration itself. Of course, the fine print on your plan will determine your exact coverage, which is why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with your benefits. If you have any trouble, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us so we can review your coverage and provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you currently don’t have dental insurance, then ask us about our other financial solutions, including:
- CareCredit Flexible Financing – With CareCredit, you can choose a payment plan instead of paying for the entire cost of emergency dental care at once.
- Our In-House Membership Program – When you join, you get access to benefits like large discounts on fillings, root canals, and other restorative care.
- New Patient Specials – If you’re new to our office, ask about how you can save with our new patient specials!
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Knocked-out teeth, large cavities, damaged restorations, and other common dental injuries can typically be prevented with a commitment to preventive dentistry. That includes committing to a good oral hygiene regimen at home, visiting us biannually for a checkup and cleaning, and quitting unhealthy habits, like smoking. Although these may seem like small steps, they can dramatically reduce your chances of needing sudden dental care and, as a result, reduce your chances of spending money on emergency treatments.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can’t fully prevent a dental emergency (after all, accidents sometimes happen!), there are several things you can do to lessen your risk of one. In this next section, you’ll find a few best practices we recommend that may seem small but will go a long way in protecting your teeth, gums, and any existing dental work you have from harm. So, read on!
Maintain Good Oral Care Habits at Home
As you likely already know, you need to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently in order to prevent harmful substances like plaque and tartar from building up, which can wreak havoc on your smile. However, those three steps are just the beginning. To protect your teeth and gums from harm, you also need to use the right products, like a soft-bristled toothbrush, and be mindful of timing. In other words, you need to brush for a full two minutes and rinse with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds every time.
Visit Your Dentist at Least Twice a Year for a Cleaning and Checkup
In addition to committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home, you need to come to our Coppell dental office every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning (unless instructed otherwise). These routine appointments ensure that oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues are caught early on. They also allow us to remove plaque and tartar with the special tools we have at our office, which helps prevent dental problems from arising as well.
Wear an Athletic Mouthguard If You Play Sports
It goes without saying that you need to wear a mouthguard during contact sports, like wrestling and football. However, you also need to wear one during solo sports, like running, cycling, rollerblading, and skateboarding. This is crucial because your teeth need to be protected if you accidentally fall. So, if you don’t already have a mouthguard, let us know! We can have a custom one made so your chances of chipping, cracking, or knocking out a tooth are significantly lower.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Do you use your teeth to tear into plastic wrapping when the scissors aren’t within reach? Do you put your keys in your mouth when your hands are full? Do you bite your nails or chew on the back of your pen while working? If so, you’re at an increased risk of dental damage, so it’s important that you break habits like these ASAP.
Don’t Bite Overly Hard Foods
In addition to not chewing on ice cubes, you shouldn’t bite into overly crunchy foods, like hard pretzels or peanut brittle. You also should steer clear of gummy and sticky treats, like taffy and caramel-filled candies. Instead, do your best to fill up on nutrient-dense foods that help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, like plain yogurt, and lean proteins are a great place to start.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
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.
Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
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.
How Long Can I Wait to See an Emergency Dentist?
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.
Should I Just Have My Tooth Extracted?
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.
Will My Dental Insurance Pay for Emergency Dental Care?
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.
What Are My Payment Options for a Dental Emergency?
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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