Emergency Dentist – Staten Island, NY

Every Dental Emergency is Different (Here’s Why)

During an actual emergency dental exam, you can expect your costs to be relatively low. This is where we examine your mouth for dental concerns, then build a treatment plan that works to get you out of pain and your oral health back to normal. Until this is done, we can’t provide a more specific price for your care in good confidence. However, the most common dental treatments used to handle emergency situations include the following:

• Root canal therapy
• Extractions
• Dental crowns

No matter what type of dental emergency you have, you can expect Dr. G and Dr. S to go over their findings in great detail, then provide a recommendation from there.

How You Can Save Money on Dental Care

Dental emergencies can happen suddenly, but they are not impossible to avoid. After all, the most common dental emergencies occur because of lingering decay or unidentified infections that were allowed to develop. For this reason, it’s essential to complete routine checkups and maintain consistent at-home oral hygiene. Doing so could save you potentially hundreds and even thousands of dollars in long-term healthcare costs.

The moment you realize something is wrong, whether it’s a toothache that doesn’t go away, major sensitivity, or something else, get in touch with our office. Remember, dental problems usually don’t go away and actually can worsen over time. For example, aching teeth could only need decay removal and a filling now vs. a crown and root canal therapy later.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

In most dental insurance plans, there’s some level of coverage for dental emergencies. For example, you can probably expect one to two emergency exams every year. You may also receive coverage for treatments like tooth extractions, root canal therapy, and crowns, but this coverage often falls between 80% and 50%. Every plan is unique and can vary in terms of their yearly maximums and other attributes, which is why you should confirm these factors with your insurance company ahead of time.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Our team will gladly go over your insurance plan and help you file claims, but what if you don’t currently have a dental plan? There are other options available to you to make dental services affordable. For example, our office offers third-party financing through CareCredit for those in need of monthly payment plans to cover more expensive treatments. In many cases, you can expect little to zero interest attached to these payments, making them even more affordable.

Additionally, Nu Dental is happy to offer an in-house dental membership that provides discounts on all other services that you complete in the practice.

Our team understands you’re going through a tough time, which is why we’ll help you navigate everything from treatment plans to costs, so don’t wait to give us a call for guidance!

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Six-month dental checkups and cleanings are a great way to avoid potential dental injuries. How? By allowing Dr. G or Dr. S to check your smile for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, halitosis, or oral cancer, we can work quickly to treat the problem before it worsens. We will also provide a professional cleaning to remove hardened plaque and tartar so it will not develop into gum disease. By keeping these regular appointments, you will work to safeguard your smile from common oral health problems year-round.

Stick to An Oral Hygiene Routine at Home

As important as it is to continue seeing your dentist every six months, it is also imperative that you maintain good oral hygiene at home. Regularly brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash will keep your mouth healthy and free of any bad bacteria or harmful particles. As a result, you can lessen your chances of developing a painful toothache or serious infection.

Eat Healthy Foods

Another way to stay out of the emergency dental office in Staten Island is to make sure you’re eating healthy foods. While cookies, candy, and potato chips might be tempting, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, lean proteins, and leafy greens are instead, healthier options that will positively impact your smile (and waistline). Too much sugar and starch can lead to gum disease and tooth decay, so if you want to reduce your risk and avoid spending money on dental fillings, periodontal therapy, or even root canal therapy, make sure you’re choosing the right foods to incorporate into your daily diet.

Wear a Mouthguard

If you enjoy playing sports, don’t delay in having a customized mouthguard created. This unique oral appliance will absorb any sudden impacts that can cause serious damage to your smile. Instead of allowing the focus to remain on one particular tooth, it spreads it out along the guard to minimize the potential damage. A sudden fall or fly ball can leave you with a knocked-out tooth or soft tissue laceration; however, with the right mouthguard, you can continue engaging in your physical activity without worrying too much about the potential for serious injury.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Your tooth enamel is strong but not indestructible. It is designed to withstand the pressure you place on it while eating and chewing. It is not meant to handle the pressure of opening packages and containers. Should you choose to disregard the appropriate tools to open your items, you can suffer chips, cracks, breaks, fractures, or even lacerated gum tissue. This is why it’s important that you find the right tool for the job. It may take more time, especially if you can’t remember where you laid your scissors or pliers, but your teeth will thank you in the end.

When Should I Visit the ER for a Dental Emergency?

It may sound obvious, but only a trained dentist can perform services like tooth extractions and placement of restorations. Unfortunately, most ERs don’t have the necessary staff or equipment to properly treat dental emergencies. Instead, they may be able to help get you out of pain or perhaps prescribe antibiotics, but then recommend you come see us to have the problem itself addressed.

You’ll almost always save time, money, and hassle by giving us a call first instead of going directly to the ER. However, there are certain situations that need to be stabilized at your local emergency room before we can fix up your smile, including:

• Dislocated or broken jaw
• Oral bleeding that hasn’t stopped after 10 minutes
• Swelling in the mouth or jaw that hinders swallowing or breathing

Do I Still Need to Visit the Dentist If My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt Anymore?

Remember, your teeth can’t heal themselves. If your chipped tooth doesn’t hurt or your toothache suddenly goes away, you should still come see us right away. Leaving damaged teeth or infections untreated allows them to get worse over time, which can cause serious problems for your smile. So even if your teeth aren’t bothering you anymore, make sure to keep your upcoming appointment.

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

All tooth pain should be looked at in a timely manner, but thankfully, most toothaches aren’t dental emergencies. Most of the time, they’re caused by cavities and tooth decay. However, sometimes, a toothache is a warning sign of a much larger issue that needs immediate attention. Your toothache qualifies as a dental emergency that needs to be treated right away if it’s accompanied by:

• Darkening or discoloration of the tooth
• Severe pain that lasts more than a day
• Swollen gums or a small bump on the gums
• Wiggly teeth and/or chronic bad breath
• Signs of infection, such as swelling, fever, or fatigue

Will Treating My Dental Emergency Be Expensive?

Many people avoid dental care because they worry about cost. Unfortunately, this often means putting off regular preventive care and needed dental work, which can easily lead to a dental emergency. You should know that dental emergencies are typically very affordable, especially when compared to medical emergencies. We never want cost to stand between our patients and the treatments they need, which is why we’re happy to help maximize dental insurance benefits, offer financing options through CareCredit, and even provide an in-house membership plan to make caring for your smile as affordable and stress-free as possible.