When a dental emergency strikes, the last thing we want you to do is panic. While emergencies are generally uncommon, you shouldn’t have to tackle them on your own. Whether you have a long-term issue like dental decay that’s led to an infection or a physical injury that left your tooth cracked and exposed, Dr. Dine is ready to get you on a treatment plan that not only restores your smile and oral health, but gets you out of pain quickly. Call our dental office today the moment you believe something is wrong for emergency dentistry in Fairfield, OH!
Why Choose Dr. Andrew Dine, DDS for Emergency Dental Care?
Calming Sedation Options Available for Maximum Comfort
We Work Hard to See Emergency Patients for Same-Day Appointments
High-tech, Modern Dentistry in a Relaxing Dental Office
What to Do In a Dental Emergency
Step 1: Call us as soon as you can. When a dental emergency appears, it’s best to give our dental office a call first and foremost in a majority of situations. This way, we can provide guidance to you over the phone and get you scheduled for an appointment the same day.
Step 2: Visit us for an emergency exam with Dr. Dine. When you arrive for your appointment, Dr. Dine will see you right away to alleviate your pain and quickly learn more about your situation.
Step 3: Review the findings and make a treatment plan. Dine will go over his findings with you and fully explain all your treatment options. Together, you’ll make a treatment plan for getting your oral health back on track in a way that works best for you.
Step 4: Get the quick, compassionate care you need right away. Whether you need a filling, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or something else entirely, our dedicated team will be focused on your comfort while we repair your smile. For patients who are particularly anxious or uncomfortable, we offer calming sedation to put your mind at ease.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Not every dental emergency is as easy to identify as a broken or knocked-out tooth. While many dental emergencies are the result of an injury or accident, others may have been slowly developing for a long time because of poor oral health. So even if you’re unsure if you need urgent dental care, we encourage you to call us if you’re experiencing new, worrisome, or painful dental symptoms. Below, you’ll find just a few of the most common dental emergencies Dr. Dine and his team treat regularly.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
We never want our patients to postpone getting the emergency care they need because they’re worried about the cost. That’s why we’re proud to offer an emergency exam with X-rays for only $49. Once we’ve had a chance to evaluate your situation and get you out of any immediate pain, we’ll be able to recommend which treatments would be best for you and a personalized estimate of costs. As with all of our treatments, you’ll always know the estimated price of your treatment before starting it. Plus, we’ll work with you to make it as affordable as possible. In the end, you should know that dental emergencies are relatively affordable compared to medical emergencies, so we strongly recommend that you give us a call as soon as you begin to suspect a problem arise!
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Treatment for a dental emergency will likely vary in cost depending on the severity and type of issue you’re experiencing. For example, tooth pain that only requires a cleaning and dental filling to address it will generally cost less than needing a full-blown root canal. With that said, you should never put off your necessary care simply due to the cost as this can result in needing even more expensive dental care later. After all, ignoring a toothache can make all the difference between needing a filling and needing a tooth extraction!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for emergency situations. While every policy is different, many will cover at least one emergency exam a year. Additionally, many of the treatments used to address dental emergencies such as fillings, crowns, and root canal therapy usually receive some form of coverage as well. This could be anywhere from 50% to 80% depending on your specific plan, but keep in mind that you may need to factor in yearly maximums, deductibles, and waiting periods. Our talented team has plenty of experience navigating insurance details and will do everything they can to maximize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, or if you’re not happy with your coverage, you still have plenty of options for making emergency dental care more affordable, like:
Our In-House Dental Membership Plan: For one flat annual fee, you can enroll in our very own membership plan, which covers a wide variety of treatments, including two emergency care visits per year.
CareCredit Financing: We partner with CareCredit to offer flexible dental financing. With one of their low- to no-interest plans, you can break up the cost of your treatment into smaller payments that fit easily into your monthly budget.
Our Special Offer for Dental Emergencies: Our uninsured patients can get a full emergency exam with X-rays for just $49 as a special offer.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Studies show that the majority of dental emergencies, especially those that are toothaches, are the result of decay that could have easily been prevented. Taking care of your smile on a regular basis with daily brushing and flossing and bi-annual dental checkups can save you a tremendous amount of money in emergency dental care.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
In most cases, dental emergencies can be prevented by simply taking a few precautions. This includes:
Brushing twice a day
Flossing at least once a day
Maintaining routine exams and cleanings at our dental office
Reducing your consumption of really hard or tough foods
Never using your teeth as a tool or chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails out of habit
Wearing a mouthguard/nightguard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Dental injuries can strike at a moment’s notice, making them potentially anxiety-inducing. Fortunately, being prepared ahead of time can help you get fast, effective relief when you need it most. We know many of our patients prefer to do their research online, which is why we have answered a few of the most frequently asked questions we get from patients here. If you’d prefer to speak directly with our emergency dentist in Fairfield, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment!
Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can appear for many reasons. While they can vary from minor to severe, it’s usually because there is an underlying condition that needs professional attention. If your toothache is severe or lasts for multiple days, you develop a fever, your face is swelling, or a pimple-like bump has developed, call our office immediately.
How you should handle a toothache: Start by flossing around the tooth to see if food debris is caught in your mouth. You can also brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out with water. If pain persists, take ibuprofen. If a pimple-like bump develops on your gums, do not try to pop it.
How we treat toothaches: While we’ll need to examine your tooth to better understand why pain is present and the best treatment for it, the most common solutions we recommend to patients include dental fillings, crowns, antibiotics, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or extraction (which is only considered as a last resort and used solely in severe cases).
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipped teeth can usually be handled during regular business hours, but you should still call our office when it occurs. This is because chipped teeth can easily break further without professional intervention. Chipped teeth are also more susceptible to decay.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: Avoid applying pressure to your chipped tooth or touching it until you receive restorative treatment. If pain is present, take ibuprofen. If your mouth is swelling, apply a cold compress to your cheek for 10 minutes, then remove for an additional 10 minutes. Do this for up to one hour to get relief ahead of your appointment.
How we treat chipped teeth: More often than not, we can easily fix a minorly chipped tooth with cosmetic bonding. In certain cases, however, a veneer may be more appropriate if the chip is quite visible. If you care about esthetics, a veneer offers the best solution.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Minor damage to teeth is not typically a dental emergency, but more severe cracks need to be addressed immediately, particularly those that extend below the gum line. This indicates that damage to the root may be present. Keep in mind that not all cracks are clearly visible. If you notice tooth sensitivity or discomfort when biting down, call our office as well.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: Avoid chewing with or applying pressure to the cracked tooth. Take ibuprofen and apply a cold compress to your face to reduce any swelling. Apply for 10 minutes at a time, then remove for an additional 10 minutes. Do this for up to one hour.
How we treat cracked teeth: When the tooth has minimal damage, cosmetic bonding may be enough to address it. Otherwise, we may recommend a dental crown or extraction if the damage is too severe to salvage the tooth.
When Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
How Can I Bring Down Facial Swelling?
Should I Be Worried If My Tooth Is Sensitive?
What If I’m Afraid of the Dentist?
When Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
From knocked-out teeth to painful toothaches, Dr. Dine is the professional to trust with your hurting smile. After all, he has over four decades of experience, and in that time, he has completed countless hours of advanced training on everything from root canals to extractions. With that being said, if your dental injury results in a life-threatening condition, like difficulty breathing or a broken jaw, then you should head to your local ER right away. Once you get the medical attention you need, contact our team for an urgent appointment.
How Can I Bring Down Facial Swelling?
Facial swelling is one of the most common symptoms associated with a dental emergency. Luckily, there are a few tactics you can use at home to reduce puffiness until you get to your appointment. To start, dissolve some salt in a cup of warm water. Stir the mixture and rinse with it repeatedly. Not only does this concoction at act as a natural disinfectant, but it can alleviate irritation as well. Next, place a cold compress or towel-wrapped icepack against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time. If needed, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever according to the directions on its packaging.
Should I Be Worried If My Teeth Are Sensitive?
If you’ve struggled for years with dental sensitivity, but your teeth and gums are otherwise healthy, then there is likely no need to worry. Since the sharp sensation from consuming hot and cold products can be unpleasant, it’s best to indulge in them sparingly and use a special toothpaste to help fortify your enamel. However, if your tooth sensitivity began only recently, then it could be stemming from receding gums or eroding enamel. In this case, you should contact our office for an urgent appointment as soon as possible so we can intervene and prevent further damage from occurring.
What If I’m Afraid of the Dentist?
If you struggle with dental-related anxiety, it is important to know that you can get the dental care you need without the stress. In addition to having a compassionate approach that helps make patients feel at ease, Dr. Dine also offers sedation dentistry, which keeps even the most intense nerves at bay. So, don’t hesitate to speak up if you need a little extra help feeling comfortable in the treatment chair.
