Emergency Dentistry – Houston, TX
Fast, Pain-Relieving Dentistry
Dealing with dental emergencies can be difficult, because you can never truly be prepared to handle them when they occur. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a trusted emergency dentist’s phone number on-hand, just in case. At Sunrise Dental Center, we offer same-day dental appointments for emergency dentistry in Houston, TX for patients who require urgent attention. That way, you don’t have to sit in discomfort wondering what oral problems you’re facing.
Why Choose Sunrise Dental Center for Emergency Dentistry?
- Sedation Dentistry Available
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Same-Day
Appointments - We Accept Dental Insurance
How We Handle Common Dental Emergencies
- Call Our Office. The first step you should take if you’re experiencing a dental emergency is to call our office immediately. Our team will schedule a same-day appointment for you and provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance to minimize your risk of worsening discomfort.
- Come in for an Examination. As soon as you arrive at our practice, we’ll get to work collecting necessary diagnostic images and asking you about your symptoms.
- Receive a Diagnosis. Based on our observations and findings during your examination, we’ll be able to diagnose the issue at-hand and create a custom-tailored treatment plan to restore your oral health and ease your pain.
- Begin Treatment. Once we’ve answered any questions you have about our treatment plan and you’ve consented to the procedure, we’ll move forward so you can leave our office with a restored, healthy grin.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen at any time, often when it’s inopportune for you or your loved one. You may be frightened or panicked as well; please stay as calm as possible and contact Sunrise Dental Center right away for assistance. Our team of experienced dentists can provide the relief you need with emergency dentistry at our Heights dental office in a comfortable environment where you can feel at ease. What if you can’t reach us right away? We can give you instructions for how to best manage your situation until you arrive.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
The cost of your dental emergency visit will depend on what type of treatment you require, which we’ll discuss with you once we’ve had a chance to examine your mouth and speak with you about your symptoms and concerns. We’ll also walk you through the costs of the procedures that we recommend, dental insurance coverage, and if you’re interested, additional financing details. If you want to learn more about what to expect, continue reading.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Every patient is unique, and so are their dental injuries. Whether you need antibiotics, root canal treatment, dental crowns, or a tooth extraction, you can trust Sunrise Dental Center to restore your oral health. After we address the immediate symptoms, our team will create a personalized treatment plan to tackle the root cause of the problem. During your consultation, we’ll examine your smile and the affected area. Once identify a solution, we’ll provide a cost estimate to help you budget for your treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance plans cover at least one emergency visit. However, that isn't always guaranteed. Be sure to review the details of your policy beforehand to understand the extent of your coverage.
For restorative care, your dental insurance may cover 50-80% of the total cost, depending on the type of treatment needed. Keep in mind that your deductible must be met, and the exact coverage percentage will depend on how much of your annual maximum you've already used.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
At Sunrise Dental Center, we want you to focus on improving your oral health. Whether you're uninsured or need help covering a remaining balance after using dental insurance, we offer flexible financing to make your emergency care more affordable. With CareCredit, you can divide the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments. You might be eligible for a low-to-no interest plan that’ll help you stay within your budget.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial to minimizing the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Ignoring these issues or failing to properly care for your smile can lead to pain, inflammation, and serious infection. No matter how minor a problem may seem, it's always best to consult a trusted professional promptly. A comprehensive oral examination can help identify any underlying issues early, helping you avoid more extensive and costly procedures down the line.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can’t completely prevent a dental emergency from occurring, there are several precautionary measures you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing one. To learn a few that our Houston dental team recommends, read on!
Visit Your Dentist for Biannual Checkups and Cleanings
All too often, dental visits are chalked up to nothing more than a brief check for cavities. While your dentist will certainly look for tooth decay during the exam, they will also keep an eye out for warning signs of damaged restorations, gum disease, oral cancer, and the like. The cleaning is also important because it allows us to clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth and remove plaque, tartar, and other debris that’s sometimes left behind.
Consistently Brush and Floss
Brushing and flossing are important, but the key is doing both consistently. That way, food particles, plaque, and other debris aren’t left alone on your teeth, wreaking havoc on your oral health in the process. Remember, you need to use the right products and keep timing in mind too! For example, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, and you need to brush for a full two minutes each morning and evening.
Maintain a Well-Balanced Diet
Since sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, it’s important not to over-indulge in foods and drinks like candy, ice cream, and soda. Instead, focus on filling your plate with things like oatmeal, plain yogurt, fresh berries, and raw vegetables. These are packed with vitamins and nutrients that will help keep your enamel strong and your gums healthy!
Protect Your Teeth with a Mouthguard If You Play Sports
There’s a common misconception that you only need to wear a mouthguard if you participate in contact sports like football. However, you should wear one if you are involved in physical activities like skateboarding, surfing, running, or weightlifting too!
Note: We can also make you a custom mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth throughout the day/night. That way, your teeth are protected from premature wear and tear as well.
Quit Unhealthy Dental Habits
When people think of unhealthy dental habits, they often think of things like smoking or not brushing consistently. However, there are others that you should avoid too, like using your teeth to open plastic wrapping, bite your nails, or chew on ice cubes. Quitting habits like these may seem small, but they can go a long way when it comes to preventing chips, cracks, and fractures.
Root Canals
The study of endodontics is focused on the nerves of your teeth. If these nerves become infected, root canal therapy can restore the tooth’s health and protect it from the threat of extraction.
Learn More About Root Canal Therapy
Endodontics Retreatment
While it happens rarely, it’s possible that a tooth treated with root canal therapy will fail to heal properly. In this case, our team here in Houston can correct the problem with endodontic retreatment.
Learn More About Endodontics Retreatment
Tooth Extractions
Teeth that have been damaged beyond repair may be at-risk of being extracted. We always try to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible, because we realize that there’s no substitution that can quite compare to them, but in situations where the damage can potentially spread, we may suggest removing them. Fortunately, we also offer several restorative dental treatments to make sure that you don’t have to live with a gap in your smile, like dental implants.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Once they start erupting, wisdom teeth can cause several serious problems that threaten your overall oral health. Because of this, our team will recommend extraction often.
Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Dental Emergency FAQs
At Sunrise Dental Center, your emergency dentist in Heights has provided a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you become more well-informed about dental emergencies and what to do should you or a loved one experience this type of crisis. Accidents can happen at any time but knowing where to go, what to do, and ways to prevent additional damage is important. Spend some time reviewing the following questions and their corresponding answers. When finished, if you have more questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Should I wait to receive help if I experience a dental emergency while on vacation?
Absolutely not. It’s important you seek immediate care for your dental injury. The longer you wait, the more problematic it can become for your oral and overall health. Find a local dentist who can get you in as soon as possible. Allow them to provide the necessary treatment to get you back to enjoying the rest of your time with family and friends, but don’t forget to contact our dental office. Our team will evaluate the situation over the phone and determine if you should come in for additional treatment when you return.
How can I tell if I need a root canal?
The most common indicator of needing root canal therapy is a serious toothache. If an infection has developed inside your tooth, in the innermost layer known as the pulp, the only way to fix it without extracting the tooth is to perform a root canal. If you are experiencing extreme pain, make sure to contact us as soon as possible so that we can schedule an appointment for you. Once Dr. Ahn examines the problem area, he will be able to provide a recommendation for whether or not you need a root canal.
What if I cannot afford to get help for my dental emergency?
We understand that cost can be a large factor in your decision to pursue help, especially in a time of crisis; however, forgoing treatment will only end in worsening problems that will ultimately require additional time and money. If you are worried about being able to pay for the cost of treatment, our team will work to file with your insurance company and identify additional financing methods for which you can apply. This will allow you to make monthly payments toward your dental care that better align with your budget.
When should I skip the dentist and head straight to the emergency room?
Only in instances where you are bleeding continuously from the mouth, have a broken or fractured jaw, or experience increased swelling that could impact your ability to breathe, should you visit the ER. Your emergency dentist is trained and equipped to handle all other types of emergencies, which is why it is often better to schedule an appointment with them instead of waiting for hours in an ER lobby.
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