Emergency Dentist Worcester

Addressing Dental Injuries with Immediate Care

Man holding his cheek and wincing in pain needing emergency dentist in Worcester

You can’t predict a dental injury. Knowing what to do when faced with one, though, can make a big difference. At Worcester Dental Arts, our team is here to not only provide immediate care but also deliver helpful first-aid tips to ensure smiles avoid further harm until it’s time to see an emergency dentist in Worcester. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to safeguard your pearly whites and soft oral tissues against injury, call us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Donohue or Dr. Savas today.

Why Choose Worcester Dental Arts for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Dentists with Extensive Emergency Experience
  • We Will Work to Schedule Your Appointment Right Away
  • Our Team Provides First Aid Tips to Help Better Manage the Pain

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding her cheek in pain while talking to emergency dentist

Instead of letting panic set in, make sure to call our office and let a member of our team know what happened. Based on the answers you provide and the status of your injury, we can work to get you in as soon as possible while also delivering tips to help minimize the pain while you wait. As soon as you arrive, Dr. Donohue or Dr. Savas will work quickly to examine your injured area. After compiling our findings along with the necessary diagnostic imaging, we will formulate a treatment plan that will detail the process and steps we plan to take as well as any expected cost. Finally, we will begin to address the pain you’re experiencing and provide top-of-the-line restorative care to fix the problem and improve the look and feel of your smile.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Is a knocked-out tooth a common dental emergency? What about a chipped tooth? Should it be seen by an emergency dentist right away? These are common questions that many of our patients ask, and it is why we encourage you to review the list below to better understand when you should seek professional help and how to manage the situation while waiting for your appointment at home.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

You should never forgo immediate care when faced with a dental injury. After all, doing so will only cause you to spend more time and money in the treatment process. Instead, you should plan to come in for an appointment with our Worcester emergency dentist and let us evaluate your smile. From there, we can create a cost estimate for your treatment and review the available financial solutions. If you want to learn more on the topic of cost in the meantime, you can continue your research right here!

Every Dental Emergency is Different – This Is Why

You might be wondering, “How much does emergency dentistry cost?” Although we want to provide you with an answer, we can’t give you an accurate one without considering the type of dental injury, the extent of the damage, and the treatment required. We can, however, tell you that your actual visit is unlikely to be costly, and we will provide you with a number upfront. Plus, we will determine if dental insurance or a flexible financing plan can help you to lower your expenses so you don’t stress about the cost.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Sometimes, yes! In fact, your dental plan may include a free emergency exam, a significant discount on essential restorative care, or both. So, don’t just assume that you’ll have to pay for the entire cost of your care out of pocket. Instead, take a look at the fine print, keeping an eye out for waiting periods, annual maximums, and other restrictions. If you need assistance, let us know! We’d be happy to assist in the process of understanding and utilizing your benefits.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

No dental insurance? Ask us about CareCredit! If you haven’t heard of CareCredit before, it’s a trusted third-party financier that has helped countless patients over the years with flexible payment plans. In other words, they allow you to break up the cost of the care you need into smaller chunks that work within your budget. Plus, many of their plans have little-to-no interest attached, and signing up only takes a few minutes!

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

As we mentioned above, it’s important not to take the “wait and see” approach in an attempt to save money since it will have the opposite effect. Instead, contact us when you first notice that something is wrong – whether it’s that your gums are bleeding when you floss or it hurts when you chew. That way, we can provide the care you need at the earliest possible stage, saving you time and money in the process.

It's also important that we touch on the importance of adopting a solid at-home oral hygiene regimen. Brushing and flossing consistently may seem inconsequential, but doing so consistently can actually reduce your risk of several common oral health problems, including gum disease.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman smiling while flossing her teeth

No one wants to end up in an emergency dentist’s office, which is why it’s important that you take precautions to safeguard your smile. You can do this by avoiding unhealthy habits (i.e., smoking, eating ice), limiting your access to sugary and starchy foods, continuing to practice good at-home oral habits, keeping six-month dental checkups and cleanings, and wearing protective mouth gear while playing sports.

Dental Emergency FAQs

When you need expert care for unexpected dental problems, rest assured that Dr. Donahue and Dr. Savas are here for you. A dental emergency can be sudden, alarming, and overwhelming, so we want you to have as much pertinent information ahead of time as possible. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies below. If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

If your toothache is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours, you should give us a call immediately. Unlike the rest of your body, teeth cannot heal themselves. Therefore, when the enamel or pulp has been damaged, it will only get better when treated by a dentist. Coming to see us for your toothache right away instead of waiting to see if it goes away on its own can make all the difference between needing a simple filling and needing root canal therapy.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?

Calling us first instead of going straight to the emergency room for a dental emergency can save you a tremendous amount of time, money, and effort. Most ERs and urgent care centers don’t have the necessary equipment or a dentist on staff to deal with dental emergencies effectively. However, some situations should be treated at an emergency room before we fix up your smile, such as:

  • Dislocated or broken jaw
  • Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth
  • Swelling in the mouth that makes it harder to swallow or breathe

Do I Need a Root Canal for My Toothache?

If you have a toothache, you may be hesitant to seek treatment because you’re worried that you’ll need root canal therapy. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many different types of issues can cause dental pain. In fact, most toothaches are caused by cavities that can be treated with a filling or dental crown. Other remedies for toothaches range from periodontal therapy to antibiotics and more.

However, an infected or seriously damaged tooth may need a root canal. There’s nothing to fear if you learn that you need this tooth-saving treatment! Thanks to modern technology and techniques, root canals are more comfortable than ever, and they allow you to preserve your natural teeth. This saves you the time and money of dealing with the complications of tooth loss. Root canals are nothing to be afraid of, so don’t put off seeking the care you need if your tooth hurts.

Is Emergency Dentistry Expensive?

You’ll be happy to hear that emergency dental exams themselves do not cost much, and they’re typically much less expensive than an emergency medical exam. It’s important to keep in mind however that the total cost of your dental emergency will depend on the nature of your emergency and the necessary treatment. Different services cost different amounts and may be covered at different percentages by your dental insurance. After your emergency exam, we’ll relieve any immediate pressing pain. Then, we’ll fully review all your treatment options, their costs, and your options for making treatment affordable.