Emergency Dentistry
In Pain? Need Help?
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Why Choose Park City Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Appointments & Walk-ins Welcome for Emergencies
- Highly-Trained Dentist with Over a Decade of Experience
- State-of-the-Art Technology Leads to Faster Care
Do you have a plan in place in case of a dental emergency? You certainly don’t want to have to come up with it when your child is already experiencing a terrible toothache or you’ve damaged your own teeth in an accident. Should you or a loved one ever require the services of an emergency dentist in Park City, UT, all you need to do is give Park City Dentistry a call. We accept emergency patients and we can even schedule same-day appointments so we can get you back to living a pain-free life as quickly as possible.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Same-day appointments available: Our office will get you scheduled for an emergency appointment as soon as possible when you call. A team member will take note of your symptoms, get you scheduled, then provide first-aid tips over the phone ahead of your arrival.
- Complete an emergency exam: Calderwood will perform a detailed exam to confirm the severity and type of emergency you’re dealing with. If needed, digital X-rays may also be captured.
- Alleviating discomfort and reviewing our findings: After getting you out of any initial discomfort, we’ll break down our findings with you directly so you can make clear decisions about your treatment going forward. Our treatment plan includes cost estimates and a timeline of future appointments you’ll need to complete to resolve your emergency. We will always be completely transparent about your costs and treatment recommendations.
- Get the care you need fast: Whether you need a dental filling, crown, root canal therapy or another procedure completed, we’ll work quickly so you can get back to your day-to-day routine.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Whether you’re dealing with a toothache or broken/knocked-out tooth, you should definitely seek out professional care right away. Ideally, you’d be able to head straight to our dental office in case of a dental emergency, but we know life often makes things less than ideal. Before you’re able to make it to our dental office, here are a few ways to handle some of the dental emergencies we often see at Park City Dentistry.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Treatment recommendations for an emergency patient are always based on their particular situation. This means the cost of emergency dentistry in Park City can differ quite a bit from patient to patient. One may just need a small filling, while another might require multiple teeth to be replaced. We understand that urgent dental care is typically an unexpected expense, which is why we’re happy to make it more affordable by accepting all dental insurance plans as well as offering flexible financing.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Because every dental emergency is unique, our team won’t be able to predict the cost of your treatment until we see you in the office and understand the root of the problem. Fortunately, an emergency dentistry visit is relatively inexpensive. Dr. Calderwood will assess your needs and determine what treatment you need to get back to normal. Common solutions to dental emergencies include:
- Dental crowns
- Root canal therapy
- Extractions
- TMJ treatment
- And more!
Rest assured that our team will explain our findings, the recommended treatment plan, and the estimated costs beforehand so that you know exactly what to expect.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While some dental emergencies are unavoidable accidents, most patients wind up at an emergency dentist in Park City due to unchecked infection and damage. You can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars over the years simply by taking excellent care of your teeth at home and visiting a dentist regularly.
If you do become aware of dental pain or a damaged tooth, it’s important to take care of the problem right away. The longer you wait, the greater your costs will likely grow. Does your tooth hurt at the moment? Timely treatment could potentially involve a root canal that saves the tooth. Waiting another month or two, on the other hand, could mean you end up having to pay to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
You can likely count on your dental insurance to offer some form of coverage for dental emergency situations. For example, many insurance plans fully cover one emergency exam per year. In addition, the most common services associated with hurting teeth, like root canal therapy, extractions, etc., often receive partial coverage of 50% to 80%. However, every dental insurance plan is different. Before committing to any dental treatment, be sure to confirm your coverage with your insurance company. Our team will be happy to help you understand and maximize your dental insurance benefits.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
While we are in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, Metlife, Principal, and many other PPOs, we understand that not everyone has dental insurance. That is why we’ve partnered with CareCredit, a trusted dental financing organization. CareCredit offers a range of convenient payment plans that allow patients to break the cost of emergency dentistry in Park City into manageable monthly payments. Many CareCredit plans come with no or low interest, so you can get the urgent dental care you need now without worrying about busting your budget.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
It certainly pays to be careful when it comes to your smile. Not all dental emergencies can be prevented, but there are steps you can take to protect your enamel from damage. Here are some tips for you to implement to protect your teeth from harm.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Even if you don’t think that anything is going on with your smile, this doesn’t mean that you can skip over your regular dental visits. Tooth decay and oral infections can easily develop. You may not even notice them right away. It is recommended that you see your dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups. This way, your hygienist can clear away plaque and tartar that have accumulated over time. Your dentist will rule out possible issues going on with your smile. When small problems are addressed early on, you can keep painful dental emergencies from developing later.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
You should brush twice and floss every single day. These are both great ways to remove food debris and plaque that can lead to cavities and gum disease over time. Pick out a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride – a natural mineral that can strengthen the enamel of the teeth, therefore reducing your risk of decay.
Be Careful with Your Diet
Diet plays an important role in your oral health. If you are enjoying too many sugary and starchy foods, you are increasing your risk of developing cavities. It’s smart to only enjoy these items in moderation. Instead, fill up your dinner plate with fruit, veggies, and healthy proteins.
Wear a Mouthguard
Playing sports is a great way for you to get the exercise that you need to stay healthy. However, playing contact sports is an easy way to break or knock out your teeth. By wearing a mouthguard, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing a dental injury. If you have bruxism, it’s a good idea to ask about getting a nightguard to limit the effects of teeth grinding while you sleep.
Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging
As convenient as it may seem, don’t use your teeth to tear through stubborn packaging. You could easily end up with a cracked or broken tooth. Instead, use scissors, a bottle opener, or another tool to help you complete your task safely.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
If you’re like most people, you probably aren’t prepared to deal with a dental emergency. During a situation like this, you might have several questions about what to do. Luckily, our office is only a phone call away and we offer same-day appointments for patients with emergencies. While our team can walk you through some basic first-aid over the phone, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that we get about emergency dentistry.
Will I Still Have to Be Referred to an Outside Specialist for Treatment?
Most likely, you won’t. One of the great advantages of Dr. Cody Calderwood , your emergency dentist in Park City, is that he is skilled enough to perform many emergency procedures, like root canal therapy and tooth extraction, in-house. Many general dentists do not possess this expertise, often having to send their patients to a specialist like an endodontist, oral surgeon, or periodontist. Rest assured that no matter what your emergency is, you can very likely receive treatment from the dentist you already know and trust.
Do I Still Need Treatment if My Toothache Goes Away?
Some people believe that the occasional tooth pain is normal, but that’s unfortunately not the case. A good rule of thumb is that healthy teeth don’t hurt. If you’re experiencing pain in your tooth, however minor, give us a call so we can figure out what’s going on.
If your toothache goes away on its own, that’s also not a good sign. Many times, intense toothaches are the result of an infection deep within the tooth. When the pain suddenly subsides, odds are it’s because the infection has damaged the nerve inside the tooth, essentially rendering the tooth “dead.” This means that it no longer sends pain signals to the brain. You’ll need to see us for treatment so we can save your tooth from needing an extraction.
I Can’t Afford to See the Dentist. Can I Wait to Go?
Although no one wants to be saddled with a hefty dental bill, when you’re facing a dental emergency, time is of the utmost importance. Especially in the case of a knocked-out tooth, getting to our office in a timely fashion can mean the difference between saving and losing your tooth. We understand that you might be worried about the cost, which is why our team will work with you to develop an affordable solution. We offer financing options like CareCredit, which allows you to fund the care you need with very low interest rates.
How Can I Prepare for a Dental Emergency?
You may think that a dental emergency could never happen to you, but the truth is that one out of every six Americans will deal with one every year. Should you find yourself in that situation, you don’t want to be caught off guard. To make this situation a little less stressful, you can prepare a dental emergency kit with the following items:
- Piece of paper with our contact information
- Handkerchief
- Gauze
- Saline solution
- Small container with a secure lid
- Ibuprofen (don’t use aspirin because it’s an anti-coagulant, which can lead to excessive bleeding)
What Should I Bring With To My Emergency Dentist Appointment?
When you're heading to an emergency dental appointment, it's important to be prepared. Here's a list of things you should consider bringing with you:
ID: Bring a valid form of photo ID, such as a driver's license or ID card. This helps us process any necessary paperwork quickly.
Insurance Information: If you have dental insurance, bring your insurance card or details. This will expedite the process of claiming your treatment costs.
List of Medications: If you're currently taking any medications, bring a list of these, including dosages. This is crucial for Dr. Calderwood to know to avoid prescribing medication that could interact adversely with your current regimen.
Medical History: If you have a history of medical conditions or oral surgeries, it's important to inform us. This includes any known allergies, especially to medications or latex (commonly used in gloves).
A Companion: If you're in severe pain, anxious, or if the procedure might impair your ability to drive home, consider bringing a friend or family member along for support and assistance.
Any Relevant Dental Appliances: If you have any relevant dental appliances, like a broken denture or a dislodged crown, bring them with you.
Emergency Contact Information: In case of a severe emergency or if you're unable to communicate, having an emergency contact listed can be crucial.
Remember, the primary goal of an emergency dental visit is to address pain, swelling, infection, or trauma. Being prepared can help streamline the process and ensure you receive the best possible care.
How Can I Manage Pain Before Getting to the Dentist?
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for dental pain. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums or aching tooth, as this can burn the gum tissue. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek can also help reduce swelling and pain until we can get you in to see Dr. Calderwood.