Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies always seem to strike at the worst possible moments. Whether your child knocked out a tooth during their football game or you develop a raging toothache out of nowhere, Dr. Christy Savas and his team are here to provide expert care for unexpected dental problems. If you or a loved one are ever in need of urgent dental care, don’t hesitate to call your emergency dentist in Worcester. Our team members can walk you through basic first aid over the phone and schedule you an appointment with Dr. Savas as soon as possible. From there, we can come up with a personalized treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track.

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

There are two basic kinds of dental emergencies: the ones that arrive all of a sudden due to injury, and the ones that develop over time, usually as a result of poor oral hygiene. Rest assured that Dr. Savas is well-equipped to deal with both. In the meantime, here are some tips to help handle your emergency until you can reach our office.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are by their very nature unpredictable and thus hard to prevent, but there are a few precautions you can take to lessen their likelihood of occurring, such as:

• Brush and floss every day. This keeps plaque from building up and contributing to infections that cause painful toothaches.
• Attend a dental checkup and cleaning twice a year. At these visits, Dr. Savas can detect and treat problem areas before they spiral into full-blown emergencies.
• Avoid biting down on extremely hard objects, like ice, pencils, pens, popcorn kernels, fingernails, etc.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packaging. Reach for the scissors instead.
• If you play sports or even participate in solo physical activities like cycling, wear a protective mouthguard to prevent dental accidents.
• Wear a nightguard if you suffer from nighttime teeth grinding.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Because no two dental emergencies are exactly alike, the cost of treating one can vary greatly from patient to patient. For example, a minor toothache might be treatable with a small filling, while a more severe toothache might require a root canal and dental crown. When you see us for emergency care, our top priority will be getting you out of pain so that you can make any further treatment decisions with a clear head. To help minimize treatment costs, we accept most dental insurance plans and offer third-party financing through CareCredit.

Dental Emergency FAQs

When you need expert care for unexpected dental problems, rest assured that Dr. Savas and his team are here for you. A dental emergency can be sudden, alarming, and overwhelming, so we want you to have as much pertinent information ahead of time as possible. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies below. If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help.

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

If your toothache is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours, you should give us a call immediately. Unlike the rest of your body, teeth cannot heal themselves. Therefore, when the enamel or pulp has been damaged, it will only get better when treated by a dentist. Coming to see us for your toothache right away instead of waiting to see if it goes away on its own can make all the difference between needing a simple filling and needing root canal therapy.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?

Calling us first instead of going straight to the emergency room for a dental emergency can save you a tremendous amount of time, money and effort. Most ERs and urgent care centers don’t have the necessary equipment or a dentist on staff to deal with dental emergencies effectively. However, there are some situations that should be treated at an emergency room before we fix up your smile, such as:

• Dislocated or broken jaw
• Uncontrollable bleeding from the mouth
• Swelling in the mouth that makes it harder to swallow or breathe

Do I Need a Root Canal for My Toothache?

If you have a toothache, you may be hesitant to seek treatment because you’re worried that you’ll need root canal therapy. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many different types of issues that can cause dental pain. In fact, most toothaches are caused by cavities that can be treated with a filling or dental crown. Other remedies for toothaches range from periodontal therapy to antibiotics and more.

However, an infected or seriously damaged tooth may need a root canal. There’s nothing to fear if you learn that you need this tooth-saving treatment! Thanks to modern technology and techniques, root canals are more comfortable than ever, and they allow you to preserve your natural tooth. This saves you the time and money of dealing with the complications of tooth loss. Root canals are nothing to be afraid of, so don’t put off seeking the care you need if your tooth hurts.

Is Emergency Dentistry Expensive?

You’ll be happy to hear that emergency dental exams themselves do not cost much, and they’re typically much less expensive than an emergency medical exam. It’s important to keep in mind however that the total cost of your dental emergency will depend on the nature of your emergency and the necessary treatment. Different services cost different amounts and may be covered at different percentages by your dental insurance. After your emergency exam, we’ll relieve any immediate pressing pain. Then, we’ll fully review all your treatment options, their costs, and your options for making treatment affordable.