Emergency Dentist – Dublin, OH

Responsive and Effective Treatment for Your Dental Pain

With over 15 years of experience providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care, Dr. Eric Buck has treated his fair share of dental emergencies. So, when you visit our trusted emergency dentist in Dublin, OH at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, you’ll be in capable hands. Because we know that dealing with dental trauma can be unsettling, we provide care in a relaxed and comfortable environment, while using the latest dental technology to help you recover. If you’re suffering from a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Why Choose Distinctive Smiles of Dublin for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Different Types of Sedation Offered
  • State-of-the-Art Technology

What to Do In a Dental Emergency

Woman holding cheek in pain before emergency dentistry treatment

Hopefully, you never experience a dental emergency. However, if you do find yourself in one of these scary situations, it’s important to know what you should do ahead of time. Not only will this save you time and potentially money, but it will also grant you some peace of mind. No matter the severity of your dental emergency, follow these steps:

  • Call our office right away. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can get you on the schedule for a same-day emergency appointment. One of our experienced team members will walk you through basic first aid for handling your situation until you can reach us.
  • Arrive for your emergency appointment. We will see you as quickly as possible for an evaluation to determine the source and extent of your emergency. We’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan, including the estimated cost and insurance benefits that may be available.
  • Get treated and get out of pain. Once a treatment plan has been made, we’ll get to work right away on restoring your oral health. Whether you need a dental crown for a cracked tooth, a root canal treatment for a serious infection, or anything in between, your comfort and safety will always be our top priorities. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy, and pain-free smile once again!

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Typically, dental emergencies fall into two categories: long-term infections caused by dental neglect and sudden physical accidents or injuries. No matter what type of trauma you have, your first step should be to take a deep breath and carefully assess the situation. Then, reach out to our dental office to explain what has happened.

Until you can get in for a visit, there are some steps you can take at home to stabilize the situation. Here’s what to do for some of the more common forms of trauma:

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Man in pain before emergency dentistry

Ultimately, the best way to treat a dental emergency is to prevent it from happening. To better protect yourself, we suggest you follow a few simple protocols:

  • To brush and floss at least two times a day
  • To wear a custom mouthguard if you’re involved in any sporting events
  • To avoid using your teeth to open packages, bite fingernails, or chew ice
  • To seek treatment for bruxism (teeth grinding)

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Woman discussing the cost of dental emergencies with dentist

Because dental trauma can vary in nature, there’s no way to provide a concrete cost for receiving care. The treatment protocol can range from a simple prescription to an extraction or root canal. The best way for us to provide you with an accurate cost estimate is to visit our dental office for a careful examination. No matter what your situation is, Dr. Buck and our talented staff have the expertise and skills to help guide you back to normal oral health.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

a patient getting her teeth checked by her dentist

Since no two dental emergencies are ever the same, you’ll need to undergo an initial consultation with our team so that we can evaluate your situation and develop a unique treatment plan to address your complication(s). We won’t be able to provide you with a cost estimate of your procedure(s) until we’re able to determine the proper emergency services to help you.

For instance, tooth sensitivity may simply need minor treatment like dental fillings. Other oral health issues like severe tooth pain might require more complex services like a dental crown or root canal. Of course, these will have a higher price compared to the former treatments. Our team will thoroughly examine your situation and develop the right method for treating your condition before providing you with a more precise price estimate.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

wooden blocks that spell out dental plan

For urgent or life-saving dental care, you can typically expect some of the total cost of treatment to be covered by dental insurance. This can generally be about 50-80% of the overall price covered for services like root canals, dental crowns, and tooth extractions. You might also expect at least one emergency dental exam to be paid for every year. That said, every policy is different from patient to patient, so you’ll need to verify the details of your plan with your provider ahead of time. Our team will also be glad to help you navigate your policy so that you can appreciate a smoother process.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

a person writing on a form in an office

Those who aren’t currently insured can likely explore alternative solutions for saving money. For example, our team has an in-house membership plan that can give you significant discounts on all treatments after paying one low annual fee. You can also try minimizing your out-of-pocket expenses by signing up for CareCredit—a third-party financier that can help break up the overall price of dental services into low-to-no-interest monthly installments.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

a patient smiling while getting a dental checkup

Not every dental emergency is preventable, but many of them can be avoided by treating oral health problems early on. That’s why you’ll want to practice good oral hygiene at home every day as well as visit your dentist at least twice a year. By seeing them every six months, you can get underlying issues addressed before they can worsen, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions

When is the optimum time for a dental emergency to occur? Never! Unfortunately, one can still happen when you least expect it. Therefore, the more prepared you are, the better. We know that these are always difficult situations, so to help you respond effectively, we’ve answered the questions we’re most frequently asked at our dental office. And in the event a dental emergency strikes, we’re here to provide the care you need to recover, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

What’s the cost of emergency dental care?

It’s only logical to wonder how much your treatment will cost in an emergency dental situation. Because the issues can vary, we can’t provide you with a set fee schedule. However, when you visit and we’re able to perform a careful assessment, we can determine what you’ll need to recover and provide you with a competitive cost estimate.

Will my dental insurance cover the cost?

One of the reasons for maintaining dental insurance is to have the peace of mind of knowing that when a dental emergency happens, you can receive the care you need. Still, dental insurance can vary. Thus, the amount of coverage available will depend on the details of your plan. When you visit our dental office, one of our staff members will be happy to work with you to ensure you’re able to maximize your coverage.

Is same-day emergency care available?

We know that some dental emergencies require more immediate care than others. Therefore, when you contact us with a more time-sensitive emergency like a dislodged tooth, we’ll do our best to get you right in. No matter what, when you reach out, one of our trained staff members will provide the calm and expertise you need to proceed effectively.

When should I head to the ER?

In most cases, we can treat your dental emergency at our dental office. However, there are two situations when you should immediately head to the emergency room: a suspected broken jaw or profuse oral bleeding that has lasted for more than 10 minutes. By receiving treatment at the hospital, the initial threat to your overall health can be addressed. We can then provide the additional dental care you need to fully recover.

How can I prevent a dental emergency?

While there is no “silver bullet” for completely preventing a dental emergency, there are steps you can take to lessen the chances of one occurring. For starters, it’s important to practice consistent and proper oral hygiene, which should include brushing and flossing at least two times a day. Then, be sure to visit us semi-annually for cleanings and checkups. Therefore, we can identify any developing issues and address them before they become big problems.

If you’re facing a dental emergency, we’re here for you, so don’t hesitate to contact your emergency dentist in Dublin!