Dental problems come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of urgency, but they always have at least one thing in common: they are never, EVER planned! This is especially true for dental emergencies. No one can anticipate a knocked-out tooth or painful toothache ruining their day, but what you CAN do is have a plan should the unexpected ever happen to your smile. For the people of Tullahoma, that plan is simple: call Petty Dental . Our team will do everything possible to get you out of pain and restore a problem-free smile. If you ever find yourself experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
Dr. Petty and our team have handled countless urgent dental problems over the years, so no matter your situation, you can trust that we’ll be able to take care of you. Your time and well-being are important to us, so we will see you as quickly as possible. In the meantime, feel free to review the tips below on handling some of the most common dental problems we see.
The cost of addressing a dental emergency in our Tullahoma office depends on a few factors. Our team can provide an accurate estimate after we get a chance to examine your mouth and design a treatment plan. We are happy to file PPO insurance claims, and we accept third-party financing from CareCredit.
An emergency dental exam is more focused than a comprehensive, routine examination, so its cost is usually an affordable flat fee. Treatments for emergency situations can vary greatly in their cost, however.
You might need something relatively simple, such as a new filling or some antibiotics. In other cases, more extensive and complex care is necessary. For example, you might need root canal therapy followed by a crown, or an extraction and tooth replacement.
We will provide a cost estimate based on your unique situation. If more than one treatment may be suitable for you, we can help you understand the pros, cons, and cost of each option.
Very often, dental insurance covers one emergency exam each year. It also commonly covers at least a portion of the cost of emergency treatment. For example, a non-surgical tooth extraction or a new filling might be up to 80% covered. Crowns and other major services may be up to 50% covered. Our team can help you figure out how your PPO benefits apply and file claims on your behalf.
Beyond insurance, another provision that could make it easier to afford your emergency care is financing. Our practice works with CareCredit, a third-party lender that specializes in providing affordable payment plans for dental and medical services. The application process is quick and easy, and most patients are readily approved for an installment amount that fits their budget. Many of CareCredit’s payment plans feature little to no interest.
The best way to reduce the cost of emergency dental care is to be proactive about your oral health. For example, attending regular checkups and cleanings can allow us to diagnose issues before they develop into a serious — and expensive — emergency.
Also, keep in mind that you should seek care as soon as you suspect your oral health has a problem. Delays will only allow the issue to get worse, which is likely to result in higher fees. For example, a small cavity might open the door for a major infection that requires thousands of dollars to manage.
Would you like to learn more about emergency dentistry and its cost? Contact our team today — we will be happy to answer your questions.
There are many simple and easy things you can do every day that will drastically lower your chances of experiencing a dental problem, and they include:
You might be surprised to hear this, but your symptoms may subside with time. However, this isn’t good news. In fact, this usually happens when the infection has killed the nerve, rendering it unable to register pain anymore. Not only is there only a small window of time left when your tooth can be saved, but there is also only a small window of time left before the damage spreads to your surrounding teeth and gums. All this to say, don’t wait – get in touch with our Tullahoma dental team ASAP to schedule an emergency appointment.
If you notice a pimple-like bump on your gums, do NOT try to pop it on your own. Instead, call us to schedule an emergency visit. That way, we can carefully open and drain the abscess without exposing your mouth to bacteria or irritating the area further. We can also provide any additional restorative care that’s necessary, like a root canal.
If you have a chipped or cracked tooth, it’s important that you don’t chew on that side of your mouth. You also shouldn’t eat any crunchy foods (i.e., nuts, hard candies, apples) since they have the potential to make the damage worse. Instead, eat extremely soft foods that require very little chewing, like plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and bananas.
If you’re struggling with a painful toothache, bleeding gums, a loose restoration, or any other dental injuries, we don’t recommend going to the hospital because they don’t usually have dentists on-staff. Instead, call us so we can learn more about your situation, schedule an emergency appointment, and walk you through what to do in the meantime. With all of that said, if you’re experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms, like uncontrollable bleeding, then you should call 911 or head to the ER right away.
Dental injuries – from small chips to serious fractures – only get worse if neglected. That’s why we encourage our patients to call us when they first notice that something is wrong. In addition to alleviating any pain you’re experiencing and reviewing your treatment options, we will discuss the financial side of your care. Our Tullahoma dental team is proud to welcome dental insurance and flexible financing with CareCredit, and we’d be happy to help you utilize whichever one is best for you and your budget.
Not only do toothpicks often push the debris further into position, but they can splinter off and be fatal if swallowed. For all of those reasons, we don’t recommend using them if you get something stuck between your teeth. Instead, use warm saltwater to rinse your mouth before flossing. If the debris remains firmly lodged in position, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
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