Emergency Dentistry – Midwest City, OK
Get Fast Relief from Dental Pain
Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them and can often feel
scary – but do not worry! Our expert team at
Midwest City Dental Center
stands ready to assist you in an emergency situation – often on the
very same day the accident or injury happens. Dr. Steven Kendrick has many
years of experience providing urgent oral care and will be able to quickly
reduce your dental pain and anxiety with emergency dentistry in Midwest City.
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
There are two general categories when it comes to dental emergencies:
long-term infections, characterized by toothaches, and unexpected accidents
or injuries that can result in a chipped or dislodged tooth or other dental
trauma. At Midwest City Dental Center, we are equipped to deal with any type of
dental emergency you may experience.
If you have a tooth infection or dental injury, do not wait to call to schedule an emergency appointment. You can also follow the basic first-aid tips below until you can make it to an emergency dentist.
Toothaches
While you may be tempted to treat a toothache as more of an annoyance than an emergency, dental pain is usually an indicator of an underlying infection or other serious issue. You can manage the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers until you can come see Dr. Kendrick. If a dental infection has progressed too far, a root canal may be necessary.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth out with warm water and apply a cold compress to your check to reduce any swelling. Over-the-counter pain medicine can provide some temporary relief. It is important to seek urgent dental care right away. While a crown may be an adequate treatment if the tooth roots remain intact, an extraction may be necessary if the inner tooth is badly damaged.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Having a tooth knocked out is always a serious dental emergency that should be treated right away. If you can, try to reinsert the tooth back into the socket while avoiding touching the exposed tooth roots. If you cannot, place the tooth in a small container filled with milk before heading to our dental office.
Lost Filling/Crown
If a crown or filling falls out, rinse it off with water and try to reattach it using dental cement or denture adhesive. If you cannot, avoid chewing on that side of the mouth and contact our dental office promptly. Dr. Kendrick may be able to reattach your restoration if it is still in one piece and in good shape. However, a broken restoration usually requires full replacement.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Not all accidents and injuries can be prevented. However, there are some
simple precautions you can take to protect your smile and hopefully avoid
a trip to an emergency dentist:
- #1: Always wear a protective mouth guard when participating in basketball, football or other contact sports.
- #2: Avoid chewing on hard foods that can chip or crack teeth, such as hard candies, nuts, popcorn kernels or ice.
- #3: Never open packages with your teeth. Use a pair of scissors instead!
- #4: Practice excellent oral hygiene to prevent dental infections. Brush twice a day, floss daily and rinse with mouthwash.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
There is no one set cost of emergency dental care, as the appropriate treatment will vary depending on your unique situation. Resolving a dental emergency could be as straightforward as providing a prescription for antibiotics or as complex as performing a root canal or tooth extraction. Dr. Kendrick will be able to provide you with an accurate cost estimate when you visit our dental office for your emergency appointment. Remember, at Midwest City Dental Center, we are always committed to providing quality oral care at an affordable price, so do not let any financial concerns put you off from seeking the urgent care you need!
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
We cannot stress enough the importance of contacting an emergency dentist in Midwest City as soon as possible once you notice a problem with your teeth or gums. Unless you schedule an appointment, it’s impossible for us to give you a cost estimate. Dr. Kendrick will need to examine your mouth, evaluate the extent of the damage, and determine which procedure(s) would be best suited for healing your smile. Common treatments for dental emergencies include:
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Dental crowns
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extractions
- And more!
Before moving forward with the treatment process, our team will go over the specifics as well as any pricing information you need to know.
Save Money by Taking Care of Your Smile
While some dental emergencies spring up out of nowhere, many actually result from long-term poor oral hygiene. In many cases, regular dental checkups and cleanings can prevent these emergencies from occurring in the first place. If Dr. Kendrick is able to spot oral health problems early on, he can treat them before you require urgent care, resulting in lower dental bills overall.
Another way to reduce the cost of emergency dentistry in Midwest City is to seek treatment right away. Dental problems like toothaches usually do NOT heal on their own; in fact, they tend to get worse over time, increasing the risk that you’ll need a more invasive and expensive procedure.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance providers understand that accidents happen from time to time. It’s common for your plan to cover the cost of one emergency exam per year as needed. Additionally, many services commonly used to treat hurting teeth, such as root canals and extractions, qualify for 50% to 80% coverage. Our team welcomes most dental insurance plans and can even help you with all of the paperwork involved!
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Even if you don’t have insurance, we have ways of heling you reduce the cost of dental emergencies. For example, we proudly partner with CareCredit, a third-party financier that offers low-to-no interest rates on flexible payment plans. You can use these plants to split up the cost of your treatment into more manageable installments, allowing you to repair your smile without breaking the bank!
More to Explore
Preventive Dentistry Dental Technology Restorative Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry CEREC One-Visit Dentistry Dental Implants View All Our Services