When you’re in the midst of a dental emergency, our team at Preston Bend Dental wants you to know that you’re not alone. To help remain calm and prevent further damage, be sure to immediately call our office for first-aid guidance and advice. Panic will only make the situation worse, and immediate attention is vital for the most successful outcome. Call our office as soon as possible, and if there's no one here to answer the phone, simply leave a message and we’ll promptly return your call. Quick attention is absolutely crucial during any urgent oral situation, so don’t delay. Time is of the essence!
Sometimes patients delay calling the dentist because they suspect what they’re experiencing doesn’t warrant emergency care. But if you’re having serious pain, are bleeding significantly, or have anything else that interferes with your day-to-day functioning, it’s time to see the dentist. You’ve got an emergency on your hands. Here are some tips on how to handle the situation until you arrive at our office:
While we understand how helpful it would be to provide you with a set cost for treating a dental emergency, that’s simply not possible until we’ve examined your mouth and determined what type of treatment you require. However, our team takes incredible pride in being as transparent and honest as possible. You can count on us to submit a pre-authorization check with your dental insurance company and file claims on your behalf to help you get the most out of your benefits. We’ll also let you know how much your expected out-of-pocket cost will be before you decide to move forward with the treatment.
One of the most important factors to keep in mind when understanding the cost of dental emergencies is that the type and severity of your emergency will dramatically influence your cost. For example, if you only have a minor toothache that requires removing tooth decay and placing a dental filling, not only can you expect to pay less, but your dental insurance is more likely to offer additional coverage in the process. In contrast, more involved treatments like root canal therapy will be more costly because they tend to take longer and involve more time and technique.
Dental emergencies generally do receive coverage by insurance, but it’s often less so compared to preventive forms of care like cleanings and exams. However, if an X-ray is needed for your issue and you have not yet had one performed that year, you may receive more coverage compared to if you did have an X-ray performed.
The only way to truly determine if your emergency is covered is to get seen by a dentist. During your emergency exam, they can confirm which treatments need to be performed and discuss your insurance benefits moving forward. Even if your insurance does not cover the entire cost of your care, our office is happy to offer third-party, interest-free financing to make paying for treatment easier and more affordable.
Dental emergencies are not like other typical medical problems you might experience, such as a cold or a papercut. While both of these issues will generally get better on their own over time, dental emergencies are far more likely to get worse. For example, a toothache can turn into an oral infection. A small chip or crack in a tooth can easily leave the tooth exposed by bacteria, increasing the need for a root canal rather than a simple dental filling or crown. Furthermore, at-home remedies may alleviate some discomfort, but never actually remove it entirely. Instead of delaying your care and needing more expensive treatment later, now is the best time to get seen by our office.
It’s impossible to completely avoid dental emergencies, but there are ways that you can reduce your risk of experiencing one. To minimize your chances of experiencing oral pain, be sure to follow these tips:
