Emergency Dentistry — Worcester, MA
Advanced Dental Care When You Need It Most
Dental emergencies are not as common as other types of emergencies, which is just one of the reasons why patients don’t know what to do if and when they occur. Unfortunately, many also aren’t aware of what constitutes a dental emergency. At University Dental Group, we want to help you get your emergency treated as soon as possible, whether it’s a severe toothache or a broken or knocked-out tooth. We’re prepared to answer the call if you have an oral infection caused by tooth decay or experience a bad fall while playing sports. Give us a call to get started!
Why Choose University Dental Group for Emergency Dentistry?
- Open Six Days a Week – Including Saturdays
- Early Hours Every Day – Doors Open at 8 a.m.
- VA – Approved for Veterans in Need of Emergency Care
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Call Our Office: If you ever find yourself experiencing a dental emergency, the very first thing you should do is call our office! After you’ve explained what happened over the phone, we’ll be able to give you guidance on how to go about handling the situation while you wait for your appointment.
- Schedule & Attend Your Appointment: When you arrive for your same-day visit, we can quickly inspect your mouth and figure out the best way to treat your issue with a customized treatment plan.
- Get the Urgent Care You Need – Once we’ve reviewed our findings with you, our top priority becomes treating your situation, addressing your discomfort, and getting your smile back into tip-top shape.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
It’s simply not possible to anticipate dental emergencies, and they often have a knack for occurring when it’s least convenient. In fact, roughly one in every six Americans will experience a dental emergency annually, meaning that they’re also more common than you may realize! That said, if you’re one of those unlucky few, it’s in your best interest to seek treatment promptly; time is of the essence when it comes to some of these common dental emergencies:
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The cost of your dental emergency treatment will vary depending on the type of emergency you’re having as well as the severity. Regardless, the last thing you should do is put off your treatment and allow your condition to worsen. Of course, our dental team will be as accommodating as possible when it comes to both the treatment itself as well as navigating the cost. If you want to learn more about the price of emergency dentistry, then keep reading!
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
We touched on the fact that the type of dental injury and the severity of it will impact the cost of your treatment. For example, if you only need antibiotics to treat your oral infection rather than a full-blown root canal treatment, it will be less expensive. Similarly, saving a cracked tooth with a dental crown will be more affordable than removing it and putting a dental bridge or implant in its place. As always, our Worcester dental team will provide you with an estimate of the cost beforehand, and we will share all of the financial solutions available to you as well.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Good news: dental insurance providers often cover a portion of the cost! Once we have a better idea of the treatment needed, we’ll be able to review the details of your plan, including if there are any waiting periods or annual maximums. From there, we can provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses, answer any questions you have, and file the claims on your behalf. Our goal is always the same: to make navigating the financial side of your treatment as stress-free as possible.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you’re currently uninsured, you might be wondering, “How can I make the cost of emergency dentistry more affordable?” At University Dental Group, we offer our patients two solutions: flexible financing through CareCredit and our periodic specials. While CareCredit allows you to space-out your payments into smaller, monthly chunks, our promotions help lower your out-of-pocket expenses upfront. If you are interested in learning more about either of these options, just ask – we’re here to help!
Remember, Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
In short, if you take good care of your smile, you’re significantly less likely to experience a dental emergency. As a result, good oral hygiene best practices benefit your wallet too! If you aren’t already, make sure to implement a solid at-home oral hygiene routine, which should include brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. Furthermore, make sure to visit us every six months for a checkup and cleaning as well as avoid unhealthy dental habits entirely, like smoking and biting your nails. Lastly, wear a mouthguard if you chronically grind your teeth or participate in sports.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are often painful, and they can be inconvenient and stressful to handle. While accidents can’t be 100% avoided, there are proactive steps you can take to avoid a dental injury. Here are a few of our Worcester emergency dentist’s recommendations!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Routine checkups and cleanings at our dental office are essential. In addition to preventing tooth decay and gum disease, these periodic visits allow us to catch oral health concerns in the early stages. As a result, we can intervene with the appropriate restorative treatment before it becomes a dental emergency, like a cracked, loose, or chipped tooth.