Emergency Dentist Bellaire
Delivering Immediate, Expert Care
West Loop Dental Aesthetics predominately focuses on prevention and ways to reduce the risk of infection and dental damage. However, Dr. Estella and our team recognize the need for emergency dentistry in Bellaire, as severe toothaches and accidental injuries can occur. We encourage all patients to call our office for immediate, expert care. Offering same-day, after-hours, and weekend appointments, we will work to address the underlying cause of pain as well as develop a comprehensive plan to restore and rebuild broken smiles.
Why Choose West Loop Dental Aesthetics for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day, After-Hours, & Weekend Emergency Appointments
- We Maximize Available Dental Benefits for Patients
- Custom Dental Restorations Offered for Maximum Protection
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Call to schedule an appointment – Patients will need to call our office to speak to a member of our team should a dental injury occur. We will schedule an appointment at the individual’s earliest convenience and provide first-aid tips.
- Complete an examination – Estella will take the necessary images and perform a thorough examination to detect the problem area. She will then develop a treatment plan that incorporates the type of restorative care that will be used to restore the damaged or decayed tooth.
- Receive timely treatment – Our team will begin to put the treatment plan into action by delivering one of many restorative services, such as dental fillings, dental crowns, root canal treatment, tooth extraction, or gum disease treatment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies require the help of a qualified and trusted oral healthcare professional. ER physicians can address immediate symptoms but cannot deliver essential, restorative dental care. Dr. Estella and our team treat many of the most common dental injuries, many of which are listed below.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The cost of emergency dentistry cannot be determined without a scheduled visit with a member of our team. Dr. Guo will need to conduct a thorough examination to determine the extent of the damage as well as which type of restorative procedure you will need to ensure a fully restored smile. We will consider various factors when formulating an estimate for you to review, and we’ll discuss ways to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
You should not expect to pay the same amount as someone else who sustains a similar dental emergency. The reason is that no two cases are alike. When meeting with Dr. Guo, she will go over the details of your treatment plan after reviewing your injury. The severity of the injury, the location of the affected tooth or gum tissue, and the type of procedure or service you will need to repair the area will all be factors in determining how much you can expect to pay for treatment.
The types of restorative care you might need include everything from antibiotics, a dental filling, a customized dental crown, root canal treatment, or tooth extraction. No matter which one is chosen, we will go over all the necessary details with you so that you do not face any surprises along the way.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance plans include one free emergency exam each year, and companies tend to provide partial coverage for the restorative care you will need. Depending on the service we recommend, your insurer may cover 50-80% of the total cost. This will be based on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much of your annual maximum remains available. Anything over this amount will be considered an out-of-pocket expense that you will be responsible for. Our team will work to identify ways to maximize your benefits so that your portion is as low as possible.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Not all dental emergencies are preventable. For example, you may go for a run and accidentally fall, cracking or knocking out a tooth. However, those that occur as a result of poor oral hygiene can be avoided. This is why it’s important to adopt good oral habits at home and maintain your regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings. Also, you can save money by inquiring about a customized mouthguard if you play sports or grind your teeth. Eating healthy foods as opposed to sugar-filled drinks and snacks can also prevent you from spending your hard-earned money on emergency restorative care.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Although accidents sometimes happen, there are several ways you can reduce your chances of experiencing a serious dental injury. Below, we’ve covered a few habits we recommend adopting (as well as one we recommend breaking) in an effort to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you have any questions or you need to schedule an emergency exam, don’t hesitate to contact our Bellaire dental team!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Sometimes, patients wait to visit us until they are in pain. With routine dental checkups, we can catch cavities and other common oral health problems while they are still minor, preventing discomfort, sensitivity, and other abnormal symptoms in the process. Plus, routine cleanings ensure that harmful substances, like plaque, are thoroughly removed, which reduces your risk of dental damage in the future.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
In short, taking good care of your smile on a daily basis is crucial. So, if you aren’t already, brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. Each morning or evening, add flossing and rinsing with mouthwash to your routine as well. Oral hygiene habits like these help prevent plaque buildup, lower your risk of cavities, clean the small spaces between your teeth, and keep your breath odor-free.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
You’ve probably heard that added sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities. Crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, lollipops, and peanut brittle, can also lead to chips and cracks in your enamel, so do your best to steer clear of them entirely. Instead, opt for foods that benefit your oral health, like nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. As for beverages, make water your go-to. In addition to being sugar-free, it helps remove food particles and other debris from your teeth.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Patients often assume that they only need to wear a mouthguard while participating in contact sports, like football or basketball. You actually should wear one during non-contact ones as well, including rollerblading, paddleboarding, and skateboarding. That way, if you accidentally fall, your teeth and gums are protected from the impact.
Important note: Consistently grinding or clenching your teeth at night can also lead to serious dental damage, which is why we recommend wearing a nightguard if you have Bruxism.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
If you’re having trouble opening a bag of chips, the bottle opener isn’t within reach, or your hands are full, you might be tempted to use your teeth. Don’t! The pressure can cause a serious chip, crack, or fracture, leaving you with a painful dental injury. Plus, you could expose your mouth to germs and bacteria in the process, which doesn’t help either. So, do your best not to use your teeth as tools, even if it seems harmless.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?
A vanishing toothache isn’t necessarily the good news that you might assume it to be. Even if you’re no longer experiencing pain, the infection that caused it in the first place is likely still present. The lack of discomfort could be a sign that the damage inside the tooth has grown so severe that the nerve has completely died.
You should make an effort to see your dentist as soon as possible if you’re suffering from a toothache, even if the pain eventually goes away. Once your dentist has had a chance to take X-rays and thoroughly examine your tooth, they can identify the underlying issue and help you create a plan to address it.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Calling the nearest emergency room may be your first instinct for most urgent medical issues. However, this is not the best idea when it comes to dental emergencies. The doctors at emergency rooms often lack the equipment and training to properly deal with dental issues such as toothaches. Thus, it’s typically better to call a dentist for these types of issues. Our practice offers after-hours emergency treatment, ensuring that you can get the care you need as promptly as possible.
Bear in mind, though, that you should call an emergency room if you have a dental issue that could potentially put your life in danger. This can include:
- A fractured or dislocated jaw.
- A cut to the face or mouth that won’t stop bleeding.
- Swelling that is making it difficult to breathe or swallow.
Can a Chipped Tooth Repair Itself?
No. Tooth enamel might resemble your bones, but it is very different. While it is the hardest substance in your body, it lacks any living cells and is therefore incapable of repairing itself. Thus, any damage to your enamel is permanent, even if it’s seemingly minor.
The only way to repair a chipped tooth is with an appropriate form of restorative or cosmetic dentistry. The exact type of treatment that your dentist recommends will depend on how extensive the damage is. Don’t wait too long to schedule an appointment; even a seemingly minor chip can cause problems, especially if it results in sharp or jagged edges that could cut the soft tissues inside your mouth.
How Long Can I Go Without a Crown After It Falls Off?
Losing a dental crown means that the underlying tooth (which has likely already suffered from some level of damage or decay) will be more susceptible to further injury or infection. That said, it will not be in immediate danger, and it will generally be able to survive without a restoration for around a few weeks. Nevertheless, it is best to visit your dentist as soon as possible so that they can either reseat the crown or start the process of replacing it.
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