Emergency Dentistry – Laguna Niguel, CA
Get Out of Dental Pain Right Away
Your first instinct in a dental emergency may be to call the ER, but this can be a serious misstep; not only could you end up stuck in a waiting room when you need urgent attention, but they most likely won’t be able to offer the treatment you need to truly put a stop to the problem. Dr. Anderson is ready to provide fast relief for emergency patients; call us right away to schedule a same day appointment for emergency dentistry in Laguna Niguel, CA.
Why Choose Orange County Center for Sedation Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- One Stop Shop for Dental Services
- IV Sedation Available for Anxious Patients
- Experienced, Knowledgeable Dentist and Team
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Our approach to treating dental emergencies is focused on efficiency; we aim to get you the quality treatment you need in as little time as possible. The four steps of treating a dental emergency are as follows:
- Same Day Appointment: It all begins when you call our dental office. We’ll ask about your symptoms and provide first aid tips as required. Then we’ll schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible. A same-day appointment will be made whenever possible.
- Emergency Exam: A full examination is performed in order to determine what the source of the problem is and/or how extensive the injury is. If you’re currently in severe pain, relieving it will be a top priority.
- Review Findings: There are many different treatment options available depending on the kind of dental emergency you have. We’ll put together a custom treatment plan for you and explain the estimated price and timeline before we ask you to make a decision.
- Get the Care You Need: With our experienced team and our wide menu of emergency services, we’ll have your oral health back on track in a very timely fashion.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Toothaches, injured gums, and lost restorations are all very different problems, but nevertheless they are all considered potential dental emergencies. Below are some symptoms that are often indicative of a serious problem with your oral health; call immediately if you experience any of them!
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
It’s impossible for us to list the exact cost of emergency care because we won’t even know what treatments will be needed to restore your oral health until we’ve seen you. That said, we’re more than happy to provide a personalized estimate of the costs once we know what treatments are right for you, and you’ll never be pushed towards a specific treatment without knowing the cost. One point to keep in mind is that dental emergencies get worse over time, so having treatment done now instead of later could cut down on the associated costs significantly.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
It may surprise you to learn that a visit to your emergency dentist in Laguna Niguel is actually relatively inexpensive. During your appointment, our team will assess the extent of the damage and determine which treatment is needed to get your smile back on the right track. Since every dental emergency is unique, it’s impossible to know how much your care will cost until you come in for an exam. Rest assured – we’ll thoroughly explain the pricing information beforehand so you know exactly what to expect. No surprises here!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Yes! Most dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for dental emergencies. Typically, at least one annual emergency exam is fully covered, and services associated with hurting teeth (i.e., root canal therapy, extractions, gum disease treatment) receive about 50-80% of coverage in most cases. Of course, every policy is unique, which is why you should confirm the details of your coverage with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with that step if needed.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer additional options to help make your treatment as affordable as possible. Our practice works with third-party financiers like CareCredit, Lending Club, and Proceed Finance to make even the most expensive care fit any budget. These options allow you to make smaller monthly installments that often have little-to-no interest attached.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Not every dental emergency is avoidable. Some are the result of accidental injuries, like if you were to trip and fall on the sidewalk. However, most happen because of untreated infection and damage. By investing in routine dental checkups and cleanings, you can save thousands of dollars every year on urgent dental care! Another easy way to save money is by contacting your emergency dentist in Laguna Niguel as soon as you notice something is wrong. With their help, you can avoid needing more expensive and complex procedures down the line.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
No one wants to have to disrupt their day to visit the emergency dentist, especially when it could have been easily avoided. To prevent such situations, you can protect your teeth by keeping a few helpful tips in mind. This includes performing routine oral care like brushing and flossing, but it also means avoiding habits that you may think are totally fine but actually put your smile at risk. If you want to keep dental discomfort and higher oral healthcare costs out of your life, start here!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting Dr. Anderson for routine dental visits (every six months) is one of the best ways to prevent dental emergencies period. Not only can you catch the early signs of problems before they have a chance to develop later in life, but you can make sure that what you’re doing at home is working to keep plaque at bay. Visiting twice a year is enough for most people, but if you have gum disease (or have had it treated previously), it’s pertinent to visit more frequently, such as every three to four months.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Practicing good oral hygiene on a daily basis (i.e. brushing and flossing regularly) are going to be the most essential steps you take to avoid developing problems in between your routine checkups. Through brushing and flossing, you remove plaque and food debris, the latter of which oral bacteria consume to produce even more plaque. Considering that plaque is what causes tooth decay, and tooth decay is the most common cause of dental emergencies, your oral hygiene is incredibly important.
Watch What You Eat
Many people may not think about their diet having an impact on their smile, but it’s actually a major factor. Consuming sugary or acidic foods and beverages sparingly is key to reducing your risk of cavity development and therefore dental emergencies. Instead, make an effort to include fruits and vegetables into your meals, especially ones that contain high amounts of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Make sure your children are not consuming foods or beverages high in sugar.
Wear a Mouthguard
Wearing a mouthguard while participating in sports is vital to avoiding broken, chipped, or knocked-out teeth. In fact, the second most common cause of dental emergencies occurs as a result of not wearing a mouthguard while playing sports like football, baseball, basketball, and during activities like wrestling or karate. Additionally, if you have a teeth grinding or clenching habit, get yourself a protective nightguard to wear while you sleep.
Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging
Your teeth are incredibly strong, but they are far from indestructible. This means if you use your teeth to do things like open packages and bottles, trim your fingernails, or other tasks better suited for a tool, you’re far more likely to experience a dental emergency later in life. You’ll also want to avoid chewing on ice cubes as it can easily lead to a chipped or cracked tooth. Make sure you have the right tool for the job nearby in case you need it.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Are you in the midst of a dental emergency in Laguna Niguel and aren’t sure what to do? Our team is ready to help! When you contact our dental office, we’ll immediately provide you with first-aid guidance and over-the-phone advice to help you manage your situation. In the meantime, you can review the most frequently asked questions we’ve answered below for your convenience.
Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
Unfortunately, toothaches rarely, if ever, go away on their own. Although many people want to put off addressing their pain in hopes that they can avoid an unexpected visit with their emergency dentist in Laguna Niguel, it can often result in additional oral damage. That’s why we recommend visiting our dental office as soon as possible, to avoid the need for invasive treatment. If your tooth does go numb after severely aching, this could be a sign that the root is dead, and you may require more serious treatment. The only way to tell is to receive an emergency examination.
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
It’s likely a sign of an infection or inflammation within the tooth. When cavities inside the tooth allow air and bacteria to reach the sensitive inner area, it can result in irritation and potential infection of pulp nerves, causing pain. Throbbing teeth can also occur if decay is present. In other cases, it could be because of chronic teeth grinding and clenching.
My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Visit?
Absolutely! You should always visit a dentist after chipping a tooth, even if there is no pain. Dr. Anderson will need to examine the tooth to ensure the inner area isn’t exposed. While you can wait a day or two to seek treatment, you should still schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Otherwise, your chipped tooth is at risk of breaking further without professional attention.
Does Emergency Dentistry Cost More?
Believe it or not, emergency exams are not as expensive as you may think! Of course, since the services required to treat and manage urgent dental problems are more restorative than preventive, it can lead to higher overall costs. That said, you should avoid putting off necessary care as it can make your total expenses much higher than average. Luckily, your dental insurance should be able to cover some of the costs associated with emergency dental care. If you don’t have dental insurance, you’ll need to find an alternative way to pay for your services. At our practice, we offer third-party financing to help make your care as affordable as possible.
