Emergency Dentistry – Dallas, TX
Effective Help without the Wait
If you have a severe toothache or dental injury, you shouldn’t wait to visit the dentist. Ideally, you should receive professional care right away, and we’re ready to hold up our side of that bargain by offering same-day emergency dentistry. Just give us a call, explain your situation, and we’ll schedule an appointment right away so we can relieve your pain without delay. Even if you aren’t sure you have an emergency, go ahead and give us a call—we’re more than eager to help with emergency dentistry in Dallas, TX.
Why Choose Skillman Family Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certified
- Dental Insurance & Medicaid Welcomed
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Initial Call: Over the phone, describe your symptoms the best you can, and we’ll let you know if you need professional care right away. If so, we’ll schedule an appointment as soon as possible, preferably the same day.
- Emergency Exam: Once you arrive, our team will examine your mouth and take X-rays so we fully understand the problem.
- Treatment Discussion: We’ll go over all the ways we can address your problem, including cost information, so you can choose what works best for you.
- Relief: Based on your conversation with our team, we’ll stop your pain and make any repairs possible. For more extensive issues, we may ask you to come back for a follow-up appointment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
What qualifies as a dental emergency? Lots of things! Thankfully, you don’t need to determine whether or not your situation “counts”…that’s our job! Below, you’ll find a list of emergencies we treat all the time, and if any of the situations apply to you, be sure to give us a call.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
There is no flat rate for emergency dental care, so we won’t be able to give you an accurate price estimate until we examine your mouth and determine which procedures are needed to address your situation. The cost can vary based on the severity of the issue, but in all cases, acting fast is best for your mouth and wallet. Plus, we will work with you to use your insurance benefits and any other options available to make sure that your care is comfortably affordable. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of emergency dentistry in Dallas.
Every Dental Emergency Is Unique
It may surprise you to know that seeing your emergency dentist won’t be as expensive as you imagine. During your visit, our team will perform a thorough oral examination to see which treatment would best address your specific dental needs. Until we can see you and identify the root cause of your issue, we won’t be able to determine the overall price of your treatment.
Once we’ve had a chance to assess your situation, we can give you a detailed review of the pricing information so that you know exactly what you’ll expect to pay. The last thing we’d want is for you to feel surprised when it comes time to pay the bill. We’ll walk you through your recommended treatment plans and discuss your financing options to help stay within your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Fortunately, most dental insurance companies will offer some portion of coverage for emergency dentistry. Not only is at least one biannual exam fully covered, but most restorative services are also eligible for partial coverage. These may include dental crowns, root canal therapy, and tooth extractions. Since every plan is different, you’ll want to consult your insurance provider about the details of your benefits before beginning any treatment. Our knowledgeable team will also be happy to help you navigate and make the most of your policy.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
We understand the importance of being able to afford the dental treatment you need. That’s why, even if you don’t currently have an insurance plan, our team offers alternative financing through CareCredit. This third-party financier can help split up the overall cost of your procedures into smaller, monthly installments. Many of these plans also come with little to no interest, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to get the necessary treatment.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Did you know that the majority of dental emergencies are the result of untreated decay or infection? For this reason, one of the best ways to save money is by implementing a solid oral hygiene routine. Taking proper care of your teeth, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash frequently, can significantly reduce your risk of a dental emergency. You may even save thousands of dollars by simply visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. Make sure to notify our team as soon as you notice an oral issue, and we can provide the treatment you need to keep the situation from becoming a bigger deal later on.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Our Dallas dental team aims to be here when you need us most. With that said, we also hope that you never sustain a serious injury that warrants a same-day visit to our office since it can be stressful to handle and painful to experience. So, here are a few simple ways to help you and your loved ones avoid an unexpected trip to the dentist:
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
We typically recommend visiting us every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. This ensures that we can periodically check for oral cancer, tooth decay, and other serious conditions. Plus, we can use special tools during the cleaning portion of your appointment to thoroughly remove built-up plaque and tartar. Of course, if you experience dental pain or any other abnormal symptoms between visits, then you should reach out to us sooner. That way, we can take care of the problem before it progresses.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, you need to take good care of your teeth and gums on a daily basis as well. In addition to implementing the proper technique, make sure you’re using the right tools, like a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. When completing your oral hygiene regimen, make sure to clean your tongue, brush for a full two minutes, and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash as well. This will help thoroughly remove food particles, bacteria, and other debris.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Throughout the years, you may have heard that consuming sugary foods and drinks in excess can cause cavities to develop. However, that’s not the only thing you should keep in mind when filling your plate! Since crunchy foods can result in a chip, crack, or fracture, we recommend exercising caution with raw nuts, popcorn, peanut brittle, and tortilla chips. Additionally, never chew ice cubes, pens, pencils, and the like.
Wear a Mouthguard
Contact or non-contact, if you play a sport, you need to wear a mouthguard. After all, roughly five million teeth are knocked-out each year during sports-related accidents! So, always wear yours when you’re skateboarding, playing football, or participating in any physical activity.
Note: We may also recommend having a custom mouthguard made if you chronically grind or clench your teeth. That way, we can protect them from premature wear!
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
People use their teeth as tools all the time, whether it’s to remove a clothing tag, open a tube of mascara, hold their keys, or trim their nails. While it may seem convenient in the moment, it’s important to remember that these habits can seriously damage your smile, requiring an immediate visit to our Dallas dental office. In short, to protect your teeth and your wallet, never use your teeth as tools.
Root Canal Therapy
When the nerve tissue inside a broken or badly decayed tooth becomes infected or exposed to the air, a root canal can provide pain relief while preserving your tooth. Our goals at Skillman Family Dentistry in Dallas are to save your tooth and eliminate pain caused by the irritated nerves.
After completely numbing the area, Dr. Henry gently removes all the infected tissue from inside the tooth. He then disinfects the empty canals, places a sterile filler, and seals the tooth so that no further infection can occur.
Using the latest technology and modern dental materials, Dr. Henry provides root canal therapy that allows you to keep the tooth for many years and relieves your acute pain and discomfort.
Tooth Extractions
No one wants to have a tooth pulled. Dentists like to save teeth, and patients like to keep theirs. But when all else fails, removing or extracting an infected, painful tooth may be the only option for treatment.
Dr. Henry and his team will relieve your pain using appropriate anesthesia techniques to numb the infected tooth and surrounding tissue. Minimizing your discomfort and immediate relief of your pain are our goals. After your extraction, we will provide you with complete aftercare instructions to help ensure full healing. We also have several tooth replacement options available. If you are suffering from a severe or chronic toothache, we can help.
Dental Emergency FAQs
If you’re experiencing discomfort or some other kind of urgent dental situation, then you should consider seeking care from Dr. Henry . Your cosmetic dentist in Dallas will be more than happy to provide the necessary treatment to alleviate your symptoms and address the root cause of the problem. To help you feel more comfortable and confident about your visit, we’ve gathered and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Read along to learn more or feel free to reach out to our team if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
We generally don’t recommend a “wait-and-see” approach if you’re experiencing a toothache. This is because this condition won’t usually go away by itself, as your teeth can’t recover on their own like a bruise or a cut. If your pearly whites are being affected by decay, damage, or infection, you’ll need to seek professional dental treatment as soon as possible to treat the situation. For this reason, you should consider giving us a call if you’re experiencing any kind of tooth discomfort, as this will allow us plenty of time to address the root cause.
Is Emergency Dental Care Expensive?
Many people hesitate to pursue necessary urgent dental care because they’re worried about affording the treatment. However, by not addressing the issue early on, you can be at risk of needing more costly procedures in the future. Fortunately, our team is happy to accept dental insurance from numerous providers! Not only can your treatment potentially receive around 50-80% coverage depending on your policy, but you’ll also have a less stressful experience managing your budget for your urgent condition. We also offer third-party financing options through CareCredit and Sunbit, which can split the overall cost of your emergency care into more convenient monthly installments!
If I Have a Toothache, Will I Need a Root Canal?
Since toothaches can be an indication of multiple issues, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically need a root canal. Several common treatments for this condition include antibiotics, fillings, crowns, and gum disease therapy. That’s why it’s best to schedule an appointment with us right away so that we can determine the source of the issue and which option will be necessary for you. Even if you end up needing a root canal, our team will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. Many of our patients find this treatment to be as simple as getting a large filling. Dr. Henry may also provide you with sedation therapy to help you stay relaxed if you’re feeling anxious during your visit.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?
You should only go to your local ER if your dental emergency is life-threatening, such as:
- Swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe
- Bleeding that persists longer than 10 minutes
- A broken or dislocated jaw
Any other urgent dental situation should be brought to us. This may include a severe toothache, or a broken or knocked-out tooth. By visiting our team, you’ll be able to save yourself time and money while also preserving your dental health in the long run, as emergency rooms can typically only alleviate discomfort temporarily.