Dental Emergency – Edison, NJ
Specialized Emergency Care For Complex Situations
Dental emergencies always happen at the most stressful moments. For more complex cases, it may be difficult to find an emergency dentist that has enough experience, knowledge, and skills to handle them. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have Dr. Shah’s number on-hand. As a prosthodontist, he has undergone advanced training to handle the most complicated emergency cases, so you can trust that you’re in safe hands if you ever find yourself in experiencing a dental emergency in Edison, NJ.
Why Choose Edison Prosthodontics for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Dental Crowns Provided in One Visit
- No More Nerves with Nitrous Sedation
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Give us a call right away. If you contact us right away, there’s a very good chance we can schedule you for a same-day appointment. Over the phone, an experienced team member will walk you through basic first-aid instructions that you will follow until you can reach our office.
- Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Shah will conduct a detailed examination to identify the cause of your emergency.
- Review your treatment options. Dr. Shah will explain his findings to you, review your treatment options, and create a custom treatment plan to quickly get your oral health back to normal.
- Get the care you need. Our team may be able to relieve your pain during your appointment. However, you might also have to return for additional treatment. We’ll work quickly to repair your smile and protect your teeth.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
The first step you should always take if you experience a dental emergency is to contact our dental office. We will do our best to carve out an appointment time for you in our schedule on the same day so you don’t have to sit in pain. Our team can also provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to ensure that your mouth doesn’t sustain any additional damage between the time of the accident and when you get to our prosthodontic office.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Every emergency situation is unique, which is why we’ll examine your mouth beforehand in order to determine what treatment you need. More involved procedures that require the placement of restorations and tooth extractions will be more costly than those that address minor damage. At Edison Prosthodontics, we accept many PPO plans and are more than happy to file insurance claims on your behalf to make this type of care easily affordable. To learn more about what to expect, simply keep reading.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
Getting emergency dental care is not as expensive as you might think. During your appointment, we’ll examine your situation to determine the best treatment method for your smile. Because each case varies from patient to patient, it’s impossible to provide an accurate cost estimate until you see us.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for the exact price, there are several factors you must consider. For example, you need to take into account the type of restorative treatment that’s needed. Our team will make sure to thoroughly explain your options before you move forward with anything.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Some dental emergencies are unavoidable, like those that occur from physical injury. Others happen because of unchecked infection or decay. Luckily, you can avoid these situations with the right practices in place! Taking proper care of your smile and visiting Dr. Shah regularly can help you save thousands of dollars over the years. Of course, the best way to avoid emergencies in the first place is by addressing a problem as soon as you notice it. The longer you wait, the larger the costs will grow.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
You’ll be happy to know that most dental insurance plans will offer some form of coverage for emergency situations. Usually, at least one yearly emergency exam is fully covered under some plans. In addition, common services associated with hurting teeth (like root canal therapy or extractions) are eligible for partial coverage. Before moving forward with treatment, make sure you confirm the details of your policy with your insurance provider. If needed, our team is more than happy to help facilitate this process!
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Just because you don’t have dental insurance doesn’t mean you have to pay for your emergency care out-of-pocket. Our practice offers additional financing options to help you stay within your budget. Some of those include:
- In-House Dental Savings Plan: For a low annual fee, you can enjoy the benefits of traditional dental insurance without the red tape! You can get one emergency visit per year and discounts on other services.
- CareCredit Financing: With this option, you can split up the total cost of your care into smaller monthly installments. It makes it incredibly easy to afford anything that you need, including emergency dental care.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Although we’re here to help make dental emergencies in Edison as stress-free as possible, we completely understand wanting to avoid them altogether. Although you can’t prevent ALL dental injuries, there are some proven ways you can reduce your risk of experiencing one. Here are some tips to help make that happen:
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Your biannual checkups and cleanings at our specialty dental office serve multiple purposes, from removing stubborn tartar to screening for oral cancer. These periodic visits also allow us to catch issues like tooth decay and loose restorations before they require emergency treatment. So, if it’s been longer than six months since your last visit with us, don’t wait any longer – schedule an appointment!
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
To prevent plaque build-up, cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues, you need to implement a solid oral hygiene routine. While this naturally includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, it also extends to using the right tools and being mindful of timing. For example, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride, and you should brush for a full two minutes each morning and evening.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Many patients forget that what they eat impacts their oral health. That’s why it’s so important to eat well-balanced meals that are filled with nutrient-dense foods like vegetables and fruits. While you don’t have to cut out sugar entirely for the sake of your smile, it is important to be mindful of your intake of added sugar to help prevent tooth decay from developing. Similarly, it’s helpful to exercise caution with extremely hard or crunchy foods that have the potential to crack a tooth.
Wear a Mouthguard
A protective mouthguard is an absolute must if you play sports. This device may be small, but it can play a big role in protecting your teeth and gums from the impact of a rogue ball or rough tackle. We also recommend custom mouthguards to patients who chronically grind or clench their teeth. That way, we can help protect your teeth from premature wear and tear.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
In short, if you’re having trouble opening a package or don’t have a bottle cap opener close by, do NOT use your teeth. Although they are sharp, they aren’t designed to withstand that pressure, which can result in them chipping, cracking, or breaking. On a similar note, you shouldn’t chew on ice, your fingernails, pen caps, or any other hard items.
Dental Emergency FAQs
After reading the information above, you may have a few questions regarding emergency dentistry. It’s completely normal to have these lingering concerns in mind! Dr. Shah and the rest of the team at Edison Prosthodontics want to help you out by answering some of the top frequently asked questions below. Feel free to review the following information to clarify your concerns. Should you not find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out for personal assistance.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Most emergency rooms are unable to effectively treat dental emergencies because they usually don’t have a trained dental professional on staff. Because of that, it’s best to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Shah if you’re in need of urgent oral care. He can quickly restore your smile and get your health back on the right track.
The only time an emergency room visit is a better option is when you think you have a jaw fracture, serious laceration, or uncontrollable bleeding. In these cases, it’s recommended that you seek medical attention for your injuries.
Do Chipped Teeth Heal?
While enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it does not have the ability to heal on its own. If you have a chipped tooth, you need to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications. Regardless of the extent of damage, the enamel will not grow back. To improve the shape and condition of the tooth, you will have to explore your restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments.
What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?
You should always be prepared for the unexpected! Make sure you keep an emergency dentistry kit with you at all times that contains the following essentials:
- Small sealable container for teeth or restorations
- Sterile gloves
- Gauze pads and dressings
- Denture adhesive
- Petroleum jelly
- Anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen
- Floss
- An ice pack or another cold compress
- Our practice’s emergency contact information
Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?
Absolutely not! You should never pop a dental abscess on your own, no matter the circumstance. The first thing you should do is get in touch with our office to rule out a dental infection. A tooth or gum abscess that’s the result of an infection is always considered an emergency. If you pop the abscess, you will only expose your mouth to more bacteria and irritate the area more. Failing to get the treatment you need may cause the infection to spread within the mouth and other areas of the body like the neck, throat, and head.
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