Sedation Clinics
A dental emergency rarely happens when it’s convenient! You’re just going about your day, and suddenly, you’re dealing with a tremendous amount of dental pain because of an accident or a toothache that seemingly came out of nowhere. If you ever find yourself in need of urgent dental care, don’t panic — just call our emergency dentist in Lexington. We’ll let you know what to do over the phone, and if needed, we can schedule you for a same-day appointment so we can take care of your problem as quickly as possible. For same-day care when you’re in pain, don’t wait to give us a call! Dental Wellness of Lexington does not accept Medicaid, Passport and Wellcare insurance plans. For more information on insurance please click here or call our office.
Emergency Dentist — Lexington, KY
Same-Day Care When You’re in Pain
Why Choose Dental Wellness of Lexington for Emergency Dental Care?
- Team of 3 Accomplished Dentists with Decades of Emergency Experience
- Same-Day Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
- Dental Sedation Available for Maximum Comfort & Pain Relief
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
When your mouth is really hurting, it can be tough to think clearly. Many people in the middle of a dental emergency ask themselves the same question: “What should I do now?” Whether you’re dealing with a broken/knocked out tooth or a terrible toothache, the answer is the same: give us a call. Seeking out professional care is the best way to get fast relief as well as minimize any damage to the teeth. Here’s what to do when you call us for a dental emergency:
- Schedule a same-day emergency appointment: We do everything we can to see emergency patients as quickly as possible, often on the same day they call us.
- Follow our first-aid instructions over the phone: Our experienced team will coach you through what steps to take next to manage your situation until you can reach us.
- Get an exam with your Lexington emergency dentist: When you arrive, your Lexington emergency dentist will work quickly to examine you and alleviate any pain you may be in.
- Review the findings and make a treatment plan: We’ll fully explain our findings and the treatments we recommend moving forward with, including their estimated length and cost.
- Get the fast, professional care you need right away: Once you’ve put together a treatment plan with your dentist, we’ll get to work right away to restore your oral health and pain-free smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s always better to seek help quickly rather than take a “wait-and-see” approach. Even if your unsure if your situation qualifies as a dental emergency or whether you need urgent care, we want you to give us a call anyways. Our knowledgeable team will help assess your situation over the phone and help you determine what you need to do next to keep your smile safe and relieve any pain you’re feeling. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some important information about the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Dental Wellness of Lexington.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can vary widely from person to person, meaning there is no single way to treat one. Because of this, the cost of urgent dental care can vary quite a bit depending on a patient’s specific situation. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a small filling, or we might have to remove and replace multiple teeth. We’ll base our treatment recommendations on what will get a patient out of pain the fastest. To help patients dealing with an unexpected dental expense, our practice is happy to accept dental insurance, and financing is easily accessible as well.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
When considering how much your dental emergency will cost, we must first determine what type of injury has occurred and how to fix it. Typically, if you only require antibiotics or another prescribed medication, you will pay much less for treatment. However, if you need more complex treatment (i.e. dental crown, root canal, tooth extraction, tooth replacement), you will be looking at a higher bill. Until you are able to get in to see us, there is no way of knowing how much you can expect to spend to fix your dental injury.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In most cases, dental insurance companies do agree to cover emergency dentistry services. How much they will cover is based on the type of restorative treatment you need. Some companies will pay at least 50% of the total cost, but you will need to contact your insurer to find out the specific details of your plan. If you are unsure what to ask, our team will be happy to assist and work on your behalf to get the answers you need to move forward with treatment.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be left completely in the dust. At Dental Wellness of Lexington, we work with both CareCredit and Lending Club, which offer multiple lengths of financing that come with little-to-no interest. Talk to one of our friendly team members to learn more about your options.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Not all dental emergencies are preventable, but by implementing an excellent oral hygiene routine and eliminating bad dental habits, like ice crunching and smoking, you can reduce your probability of experiencing one. You should also be keeping an eye out for changes in your mouth. It is easy to dismiss emergency dentistry when you’re worried about the cost; however, you should never put off immediate dental care. Even something as minor as a toothache can turn into a larger problem if left untreated. It is possible that smaller emergencies can be remedied with less costly solutions if treated early, but if you wait too long, you could be facing thousands of dollars in necessary dental work to fix the problem and repair your smile.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are stressful and often painful, so it’s best to try to avoid them when you can. While not all dental emergencies are preventable, there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of experiencing them. By using the tips listed below, you can set your smile up for success.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Even if you don’t think that there’s anything wrong with your smile, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be going to the dentist. Tooth decay and oral infections can easily develop, and you may not even notice them immediately. It’s recommended that you schedule an appointment to see your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups. This way, a hygienist can clear away plaque and tartar that’s been left behind, and your dentist can rule out possible issues that could arise. By picking up on issues and addressing them early, you can avoid painful dental emergencies.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
You should be brushing twice and flossing once a day. These are both effective ways to remove food debris and plaque that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease over time. You should choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluoride – a natural mineral that can strengthen the enamel of your teeth, making them more resilient to decay.
Be Careful with Your Diet
Your diet plays a crucial role when it comes to the health of your teeth. If you have too many sugary and starchy foods, you are increasing your risk of tooth decay. Try to only consume these things in moderation. Fill your diet with fruits, veggies, and healthy proteins.
Wear a Mouthguard
Playing sports is a great way for you to get the exercise your body needs, and it’s fun! However, you don’t want to end up with a broken or knocked out tooth. Wearing a mouthguard significantly reduces your chances of experiencing a dental injury. Nightguards are also available to limit the harmful effects of teeth grinding while your sleep.
Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging
It may seem convenient to use your teeth to open stubborn packaging. However, this isn’t necessarily the best idea. You could easily end up with a cracked or broken tooth. Take the time to get some scissors or another tool to help you safely complete your task.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
A little knowledge goes a long way. You should make it a point to prepare yourself for dental emergencies by learning as much as you can, whether it’s what to do in the worst-scenario or simply making accidents less likely to happen. You can always bring any concerns to your emergency dentist in Lexington. In the meantime, we’ve provided the answers for a few questions commonly asked by our patients.
Do I Need to Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
The doctors at the emergency room most likely won’t be able to fix broken teeth or replaced knocked out teeth. They can provide antibiotics for toothaches, but this won’t fix the overall problem. Only a dentist can provide comprehensive dental care.
That said, there are situations where you’ll need to go to a hospital for a dental emergency, such as when there’s excessive bleeding or other life-threatening issues. If your jaw has been fractured or dislocated, if there’s severe cuts on your face or mouth, or if a dental issue is making it hard to breathe or swallow, get to a hospital emergency room right away.
When Should I Call A Dentist for A Toothache?
There are many reasons a toothache can occur; it can be as minor as a piece of food stuck where it shouldn’t be, or it could be as serious as a tooth infection that could eventually spread and affect other body parts.
If a toothache doesn’t hurt too much and goes away within 24 hours or is relieved by flossing, chances are it’s not serious. If, however, the pain is severe or lasts longer than a couple of days, you should call us for an appointment as soon as possible. Other worrisome symptoms include swollen or bleeding gums, a fever, and a bad taste in the mouth.
My Child’s Baby Tooth Was Knocked Out; Is It An Emergency?
If a baby tooth is knocked out because of an injury, there’s usually not any reason to panic, but you will need to see the dentist in Lexington as soon as possible. Depending on the location of the lost tooth and the age of your child, we may need to perform X-rays to make sure the permanent tooth underneath wasn’t damaged.
With older children, sometimes the result will be no different than if the tooth had been allowed to fall out as a matter of course; younger children, on the other hand, might need additional attention to avoid problems with their dental development.
Do I Need to Replace a Knocked-Out or Extracted Tooth?
A missing tooth can cause the adjacent teeth to move out of place. Not only can this affect your bite, but it’ll make it harder to brush effectively. The jawbone will start to deteriorate, causing your gums to recede and leaving the tooth roots more vulnerable to bacteria. Effectively, a gap in your mouth could greatly increase your chance of cavities and gum disease – which can ultimately lead to more tooth loss.
We’ll do our best to replant your tooth, but this won’t be possible in every situation; other times we’ll need to discuss replacement options. Dental implants can be a good option for keeping the mouth healthy and functional.
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