When you sustain a serious injury, such as a broken arm, it’s obvious that you need to get to the emergency room right away. But, when a tooth is chipped or causing major discomfort, do you know what the next step should be? Most emergency rooms aren’t qualified to treat dental issues, which is why your first step should be to give our dental office a call to visit our emergency dentist in Fort Worth, TX. We’ll get you out of pain and create a treatment plan that addresses your emergency right away, whether it’s an oral infection caused by decay or physical trauma! Get your dental emergency treated the same day by calling Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail right away!
The first thing you should do during a dental emergency is call our dental office. A team member will be able to schedule you for a same-day emergency visit (in most cases) and also provide helpful advice to improve your condition until you arrive. Depending on the type of emergency you’re experiencing, you will need to consider different steps. All dental emergencies need to be treated in a timely manner, so even if you are unsure if your situation qualifies as an emergency, please call us right away. Below, you’ll learn more about some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail.
Every dental emergency is going to have its own cost because treating them varies according to the severity of the issue. For example, dental pain could be caused by decay or because of an oral infection deep inside of the tooth itself. Both require different types of treatment that have their own unique costs. During your appointment, we’ll confirm exactly what’s going on, prescribe a treatment plan, and discuss affordable financing options.
It’s basically impossible to predict the overall cost of repairing serious dental issues until we get a chance to determine the root of the problem. While there isn’t a set cost for treating dental emergencies, you can rest assured that a visit to your Fort Worth emergency dentist is relatively inexpensive. When you reach our office, we’ll take a look at your mouth to assess your needs and determine what further treatment you need to get back to enjoying your healthy smile. The most common treatments we use to address dental emergencies include:
We also offer sedation dentistry options to ensure whichever treatment you need is as comfortable and relaxing as possible. However, we’ll fully explain our findings, the recommended treatment plan, and the estimated cost beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.
Every dental insurance policy is different, but many plans offer some form of coverage for emergency situations. Typically, preventive services like checkups are covered at 90-100%. Treatments that are often used for dental emergencies, such as dental crowns or root canal treatment, usually receive partial coverage, anywhere from 50-80% in most cases. We’ll be happy to review the details of your dental insurance policy with you to ensure you’re maximizing your benefits.
Dental insurance isn’t your only option when it comes to lowering the cost of treating your dental emergency. At Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail, we’re pleased to offer third-party financing options. These low- to no-interest payment plans will help break up the cost of your treatments into smaller monthly payments. We also offer our own in-office membership plan, which covers your preventive care costs and gives you discounts on practically any other treatments you may need. Our plans even include one emergency exam with X-rays every year!
If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait to get the treatment you need . We’ll be more than happy to help you navigate the cost and ensure that regaining optimal oral health is as affordable as possible.
While many dental emergencies are due to unavoidable accidents, just as many happen because of unchecked infection and damage. Practicing great dental habits at home and getting a dental checkup every six months are small investments that can save you thousands of dollars over the years.
It’s also important that you don’t put off taking care of a damaged tooth or dental pain. Remember, your teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of your body, so the longer you wait, the more the issue and the cost of treating it will grow. It’s much better to come see us when your tooth first starts hurting than waiting until you absolutely need a root canal or tooth extraction!
If you want to avoid a dental injury at all costs, there’s some good news: most emergency trips to our office can be avoided with good habits. In this next section, we’re going to cover what those are, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Fort Worth dental team if you have any follow-up questions!
Some patients think that as long as they aren’t experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms, they don’t need to visit their dentist. That’s not the case! These routine appointments are crucial because they allow us to screen for oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, damaged restorations, and the like on an ongoing basis. Plus, your toothbrush and floss can’t remove plaque and tartar like the tools we have at our office can. In short, your biannual visits are imperative when it comes to keeping your teeth strong and your gums healthy.
Naturally, how you take care of your teeth on a daily basis matters too. We recommend using a fluoridated toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth each morning and evening. At night, you should also floss and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash. Together, these habits will help keep your breath fresh and your smile decay and infection-free.
Note: If you ever need recommendations on which oral hygiene products to use, don’t hesitate to ask us!
Although sugary and starchy foods are delicious, they aren’t smile-friendly. In fact, potato chips, ice cream, and candy are all culprits of tooth decay, and some are so crunchy that they can chip or crack a tooth! That’s why we encourage our patients to fill their plates with nutrient-dense foods as much as possible, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
Simply put, if you play contact sports, you need to wear a mouthguard. This dental device may be small, but it plays a big role in preventing dental injuries like knocked-out teeth. So, make sure you make it a priority to wear it during games and practices!
Note: Those who suffer from bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding) need to wear a mouthguard as well to stop dental damage from occurring as they sleep.
Preventing a dental injury also requires you to take a look at your daily habits. If you use your teeth to open packages, remove bottle caps, trim your nails, or hold your keys, you’re far more likely to chip or damage your smile. That’s why we strongly recommend not using your teeth as tools; it’s one of the easiest ways to wind up in our treatment chair with a painful dental injury!
Do you need an emergency dentist in Fort Worth to provide additional information about what you should do if a dental accident or injury happens? Want to feel more prepared when a crisis occurs? You’re in luck! At Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail, Dr. Patel and his team have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you feel more at ease should you face a dental emergency. Once you’ve reviewed the following information, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.
The answer is most definitely, yes! While a toothache might seem minor in the grand scheme, it can be a sign of a serious, underlying issue. Even if the pain goes away after a day or two, it is important that you alert us to the situation and schedule an appointment to get in and see Dr. Patel. After a thorough examination of your smile, he can better determine if there is a problem under the gum line that caused the toothache or if there is no reason to be concerned moving forward.
In most cases, the best place to go when faced with a dental emergency is the dentist’s office. Not only will you have a shorter wait time, but your dentist is already familiar with you and your oral health, so there won’t be mounting paperwork to fill out. Also, he will be able to provide start-to-finish treatment by detecting addressing the problem with a personalized plan instead of just treating the symptoms. However, should you experience continual bleeding, swelling that refuses to go down, or you have a broken or fractured jaw, you should get to the ER as soon as possible for immediate medical attention.
In the majority of situations, dental insurance will cover your emergency; however, this is often dependent upon the type of restorative work you will need to fix the problem. Most dental insurance companies offer to cover anywhere from 50-80% of services, with many ranging from 70-80% for minor care (i.e. filling) and 50-70% for major care (i.e. dental crown, root canal). It is important that you speak with an insurance representative or allow a member of our dental team to work on your behalf. We will ensure your out-of-pocket costs remain low so that you can get the care you need.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Interested in Dental Implants I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want to Straighten My Smile I Am Anxious/Afraid of the Dentist View Our Services