Emergency Dentist
No one wants to find themselves facing a dental emergency, but it is important to remember that accidents do happen and to be prepared for the worst-case situation. Emergency dental procedures cover a wide range of circumstances, but the most common emergency procedure is a tooth being knocked out, a filling or crown coming out, or a cracked tooth.
There are times when a dental issue can wait until the next day to be looked at, but if you find yourself in a situation where the pain and severity of your case is extreme, it is important to have a plan in place.
At Platt Family Dentistry, we offer a wide range of services and will do everything we can to help address your needs in the case of an emergency. We welcome all patients to experience outstanding customer service and tailored treatment plans. If you would like to ask our staff any questions about our emergency dental supports or schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
CALL (937) 293-3402
800 Shroyer Rd. Dayton, OH 45419
When Faced with a Dental Emergency
It can be difficult to know what the best option is when you find yourself in a dental emergency situation. The first thing you should do is call our office, even if the incidence occurs after hours. If you are able to schedule an emergency appointment, it is a good idea to be prepared to answer the following questions:
- What caused this event to occur? Was it an accident, or the result of a long-term issue?
- How long ago did the event happen?
- What is your current pain level?
- Are you on any medications your dentist should be aware of?
- Do you have a history of dental issues that might play a factor in determining the type of care you need to receive?
If you are not able to reach us, you can always be treated at the emergency room at a local hospital. It is preferable to avoid going to a hospital emergency room if you can help it, primarily because the staff are not trained to deal with specialized dental emergency procedures. Additionally, the cost of being seen can be high; however, if this is your best option, do not hesitate to take this route. At the very least, the doctors at the emergency room will be able to advise you on what your best route for treatment is and likely be able to prescribe antibiotics and/or pain medication if needed.
Handle a Lost Tooth
One of the more common reasons for an emergency dental visit is the sudden and unexpected loss of a tooth. If you have found yourself in this situation, the first thing to be aware of is it is important to handle the tooth as little as possible. If you are able, set the tooth back in its socket and gently bite on a dampened gauze to tea bag until you can have it examined. If you are unable to set the tooth in its socket, quickly wash off the tooth and inspect it to make sure there is no dirt of detritus, and then place your tooth in a container filled with either a glass of milk or, if possible, your own saliva. While you are waiting to be seen by your dentist or surgeon, you may want to place a cold compress to alleviate swelling and slow down bleeding.
Loose Crown or Filling
Crowns or fillings can occasionally come loose while you are eating, especially while eating harder foods. If your crown or filling should come loose, this is generally an indication that the area underneath that tooth has begun to decay, which has changed the shape of the tooth, resulting in the crown no longer fitting properly. If this occurs, it is important to call our office as soon as possible. In the meantime, be sure to store the crown in a cool and safe space and transport it in a sanitized container, as we may be able to reinsert it.
Cost of an Emergency
The final cost of your emergency dental procedure will be determined by a variety of factors, such as the time the emergency occurs, the severity of your case, and what type of dental plan you are currently enrolled in. Our office does accept cash, most major credit cards, money orders, and personal checks.
If you have concerns about the extent of care required and would like to discuss alternate financial arrangements, please feel free to contact our office to discuss CareCredit. CareCredit helps patients pay for procedures and treatments that are not covered by insurance by offering low minimum monthly payments and No Interest* financing so you can get what you want, when you want it. Applying for Care Credit only takes three simple steps and can provide instant approval.
For Beautiful, Healthy Smiles, Contact Us Today!
At Platinum Dentistry, we believe a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, which is why we provide an array of dental treatments to cater to health as well as aesthetics. Our practice utilizes world-class labs that create customized restorations to restore the structure and beauty of your teeth. We take the time to explain and educate our patients about the importance of health care and answer any questions you may have about treatment so you can make the best decision for your smile.
With our attention-to-detail for providing high aesthetic results to restoring the health of patients’ teeth and gums, at Platinum Dentistry you are in experienced hands. Take your first step towards a beautiful, healthy smile today and schedule an appointment by contacting our office by phone at 937.293.3402 or fill out our online form.