Emergency Dentist — Raleigh, NC
Quality Dental Care When You Need It
Just like a good plumber, it’s smart to have an emergency dentist’s number in your phone, because when you need one, you usually need them right now. Should you or a loved one ever develop terrible dental pain due to a toothache or knocked out tooth, know that you can always call Connection Dentistry. Our team is able to handle all types of dental emergencies, and same-day care is available so that Raleigh residents can get the relief they deserve without delay.
Why Choose Connection Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments Welcome
- Team Led by 2 Highly-Experienced Dentists
- Hassle-Free Financing Makes Urgent Care Affordable
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-day emergency appointment: Whether you’re dealing with a toothache or broken/knocked out tooth because of an accident, the best thing you can do is give our dental office a call right away. Explain your situation over the phone, and our team will let you know exactly what to do and if you should come see us the same day.
- Emergency exam: As soon as you get to our office, Dr. Rensch or Dr. Laster will get you seen for an emergency exam and capture X-rays if necessary to locate the source of your problem. They'll also work to get you out of pain.
- Review findings: Once the exam is complete, we will go over our findings, then recommend a treatment that will best address your symptoms. We'll also break down the estimated costs and expected length of your care ahead of time.
- Get the care you need: Our team works quickly to address any and all of your dental emergency concerns. Common treatments performed to handle dental emergencies include but are not limited to dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and extractions.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Many different types of dental emergencies can occur, which is why it helps to know how to manage them ahead of your emergency appointment. Before you arrive at our practice, keep the following tips in mind to take control of your dental emergency.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
We know that emergency dental care is always an unexpected expense, which can incite some panic and anxiety. Don’t worry though – our Raleigh dental team will provide you with an estimate of the cost beforehand, explain all of the financial solutions available, and answer any questions you have. That way, understanding the cost of your treatment is stress-free instead of stressful.
Read MoreThe Reason Every Dental Emergency is Different
The reason the cost is different is because each case is different! For example, one person might need a small filling to stop a toothache, while another may require multiple teeth to be removed and replaced to restore their pain-free smile. Over the phone, we will learn about what happened and your symptoms, but at your emergency exam we can actually take a look at your teeth and gums, assess the severity of the damage, and determine which treatment (or treatments) is needed. Once we have all of this information, we can share our recommendations and provide you with an estimate of the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In addition to covering the cost of preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative services. So, if you need a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, root canal, or even a tooth extraction, there’s a good chance that you won’t have to pay for the entire cost out-of-pocket if you’re insured. Of course, there is quite a bit of red tape when it comes to dental plans, including waiting periods and yearly deductibles, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions about what is and isn’t covered.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Here are a few other ways we make the cost of emergency dentistry more affordable:
- Flexible Financing – If paying for the entire cost of your emergency dental care at once would strain your wallet, talk to us about flexible financing! We’re proud to work with trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, so you don’t have to stress about the cost.
- In-House Membership Plans – After you pay the flat, annual fee, you’ll enjoy savings on everything from basic dental care to treatments that often aren’t covered by dental insurance. For details, give us a call!
- Special Offers – In the past, we’ve offered specials like a $39 emergency exam, so don’t hesitate to take a look at the “Offers & Promotions” page on our website or ask us at your appointment about how you can save.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
If you take good care of your smile, you’re much less likely to experience a dental injury. In turn, you’re less likely to wind up with an unexpected expense! So, make sure that you’re consistently brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash as well as adopting other healthy habits, like coming in twice a year for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can never be completely avoided, however there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk and protect your smile. It’s always better to be proactive rather than having to spend your time and money on a painful injury. That’s why we’ve included some easy tips on how to prevent dental emergencies in Raleigh below.
Read MoreVisit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular checkups and cleanings are vital for your oral health. While some dental emergencies are caused by injuries, many develop slowly from poor dental hygiene. Cleanings allow an expert hygienist to clean away plaque and tartar that couldn’t be removed on your own. Checkups give Dr. Rensch or Dr. Laster a chance to catch any dental issues early on, saving you from a dental emergency in the future.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
While checkups and cleanings are important, your first defense against dental emergencies is your at-home routine. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session, paying close attention to your gumline. Angle the brush at 45-degrees for the most effective cleaning. Additionally, floss to remove pesky food and germs that like to get stuck between teeth. For an added layer of protection, work mouthwash into your oral health regimen – just make sure it doesn’t contain alcohol.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Taking care of your smile extends to your diet. You can lower your risk of dental emergencies by decreasing your consumption of sugary and acidic foods that damage enamel. Instead, choose foods rich in calcium and fiber like low-fat yogurt, veggies, and more. Do your best to avoid sticky candy like taffy, toffee, or caramel because they stay in contact with your smile for longer periods of time. Additionally, do not bite down on hard items like hard candy or ice cubes because you could crack your teeth.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you play sports or participate in physical activity? No matter someone’s age, ability, or chosen game, they should always wear a protective mouthguard to keep their teeth safe from unexpected (or expected!) impacts. Our custom-made mouthguards work better, last longer, and fit more comfortably compared to store-bought products. They minimize concussion and protect your smile when you need it most. Additionally, if you tend to grind your teeth at night, it’s a good idea to wear a nightguard so your teeth don’t crack or break over time.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Your teeth should only be used for chewing, speaking, and smiling. Anything else, including using them to open packages or bottles, will put your grin at risk of serious damage. Enamel is incredibly strong, however it can still crack if you use your smile improperly. Keep some scissors and/or a bottle opener handy if you tend to get impatient – it’s worth avoiding a trip to our emergency dental office in Raleigh.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Accidents are never completely avoidable, which is why it’s important to always be prepared for the worst-case scenario. When you contact your emergency dentist in Raleigh right away, you can reduce your risk of developing additional problems that could have permanent effects on your oral health. In situations where time is of the essence, acting quickly and efficiently is key. That’s why we’ve collected some of the most common questions we get from our patients for your convenience.
Will my dental insurance cover my emergency visit?
Depending on what kind of coverage you have, everyone’s dental benefits vary. The best way to find out if a service will be paid for by your provider is to call them directly. Our team at Connection Dentistry will be more than happy to help you do this. We can file claims electronically for you as well!
We believe that no patient should have to put off necessary treatment just because they can’t afford it. That’s why we offer additional low-interest financing options from CareCredit and Compassionate Financing. This way, you can make easy monthly payments without having to worry about throwing your budget out the window to pay for your treatment.
Should I visit the ER first?
For certain injuries that need immediate medical attention, you’ll need to visit your local emergency room first, then come to us afterward for any necessary dental work. Injuries such as facial trauma, jaw fractures, dislocations, serious cuts on your face or mouth, or any problems that affect your ability to breathe and swallow normally all require medical treatment first. Dental problems that aren’t life-threatening but still need timely treatment, like a damaged tooth, can be taken care of by an emergency dentist.
What’s considered a dental emergency?
Some patients are hesitant to seek help from an emergency dentist because they don’t want to make a huge fuss about a small issue. Plus, sometimes it can be hard to tell what needs immediate attention and what doesn’t. If you notice any kind of oral pain or discomfort paired with swelling or bleeding, contact your emergency dentist at Connection Dentistry immediately. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s best to schedule an appointment to keep a small issue from turning into something more severe down the road.
Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
Truthfully, your toothache may go away with time. However, that’s not the good news you think it is. In most cases, if a decayed, cracked, or otherwise damaged tooth is left untreated for weeks, months, or years, the nerve dies, leaving it unable to register pain. This is a warning sign that the rest of your teeth and your gums are at-risk of harm, so it’s more important than ever that you schedule an appointment with one of our Raleigh emergency dentists, even if you aren’t in pain.
Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?
Since popping a dental abscess will expose your mouth to bacteria, irritate the area more, and cause the infection to spread, the answer is “no.” Instead, you should contact us ASAP to schedule an emergency exam. From there, Dr. Rensch or Dr. Laster can determine if it needs to be drained, if root canal treatment is necessary, or if the tooth in question needs to be extracted because saving it is no longer an option. As always, they will share their recommendations and answer any questions you have first to ensure that you feel confident moving forward with your treatment plan.
Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?
Pain is usually a pretty good indicator that you should visit your dentist, but it isn’t the only one. With chipped teeth specifically, there’s a significant risk of further damage as well as infection. So, don’t wait – contact us right away to share what happened and the symptoms you’re experiencing. That way, we can determine if a same-day visit to our office is necessary and, if it isn’t, what you can do from home to protect your tooth from further harm.
What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?
Chronic jaw pain could be the result of everything from grinding/clenching your teeth at night to TMJ dysfunction. If you are in your late teens or early 20s, there’s also a chance that your wisdom teeth are the root of the problem. Ultimately, we won’t know until you come to our office. With X-rays, a visual exam, and a better understanding of your symptoms, we can determine what the root of the problem is, and, perhaps more importantly, the best way to treat it.
Should You Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water?
A knocked-out tooth can be rinsed with water to remove dirt and other debris, but it shouldn’t be used in an attempt to preserve the root surface cells. The only way to do that is by either placing the tooth back in its socket or placing it in a clean container filled with milk.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
If your diet consists of garlic, pickles, onions, curry, and other pungent foods and spices, then there’s a good chance that’s the source of the odor on your breath. If you don’t consistently brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, then that may be the culprit instead. If you’ve already tried tweaking your diet and you have a solid oral hygiene regimen in place, then you should get in touch with us. That way, we can make sure tooth decay, periodontal disease, or another common oral health problem isn’t to blame.
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