Emergency Dentist — Gainesville, FL
We’ll Relieve Your Pain as Quickly as Possible
When you have a toothache that won’t go away or if there’s a painful crack that needs to be fixed, you need to see an emergency dentist in Gainesville as soon as possible. At Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center, we’ve been able to see 98% of emergency patients on the same day and provide them with the treatment they needed for immediate pain relief. Contact us at the first sign that you need urgent dental care for same day emergency dentistry in Gainesville, FL!
Why Choose Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments for Emergency Patients
- Affordable Financing Options Available
- Multiple Sedation Options In-House
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Same-day appointment: The moment you realize something is not quite right with your smile, please give us a call and we’ll work to get you scheduled for an appointment that occurs the same day. A team member will be ready to offer first-aid tips over the phone to help reduce your symptoms in the meantime. We are also open five days a week for your convenience.
- Emergency exam: When you get to our office in-person, one of our dentists will perform an emergency exam to quickly determine the cause of your dental emergency. They will also capture X-rays if needed to locate the source of your symptoms.
- Review findings: After examining your mouth and doing whatever we can to reduce your discomfort, our team will discuss their findings with you directly and provide treatment solutions to resolve your emergency. They will explain the estimated costs and timeline you can expect, so you can make an informed decision on your care.
- Get the care you need: Some of the most common treatments our office recommends to get your oral health back on track include dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and tooth extractions (only as a last resort). However, we may recommend other services as needed.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Some emergencies are due to physical trauma (getting hit in the face, breaking a tooth on a hard piece of ice) while others are a consequence of poor oral health (toothaches caused by an infection). No matter what the situation, it’s important to take proper first-aid steps after calling our office to set up your emergency appointment. These tips can be found in more detail below.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
When it comes to the cost of emergency dentistry in Gainesville, it cannot be determined until you schedule an appointment to see our dental team. Although it might seem as if there should be a single cost, no two situations are the same, which is why only a thorough evaluation is necessary. The price tag for treating and replacing a knocked-out tooth will be drastically different than if you lost a dental crown or filling. To help you better understand why there is no set price for these visits, review the information below and contact us with any additional questions.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
If you and another individual arrive with dental injuries, it is highly unlikely that you will both pay the same for treatment. A severe toothache may require antibiotics or root canal therapy. A chipped tooth may only need composite resin, or it may require a new dental crown. The severity of the damage will ultimately determine how much you can expect to pay for treatment, and the only way to determine how minor or major a particular situation might be is to schedule a consultation with us.
Some of the most common methods of treatment for dental emergencies include antibiotics, dental fillings, dental crowns, root canal therapy, periodontal therapy, and tooth extractions.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
If you review your dental insurance plan, you will likely discover that it covers one emergency exam each year. This is not always the case, so make sure to look at your policy. Depending on the type of restorative treatment you need, you may be eligible for coverage between 50-80%. Of course, you can expect your dental insurance company to factor their portion of the bill based on whether you’ve met your deductible and how much of your annual maximum remains unused. If you need assistance to navigate this information or get appropriate answers, you can ask a member of our team for help.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Although the emergency visit itself is unlikely to be very expensive at all, Drs. Art and Kim Mowery and Dr. Luis Rodriguez understand restorative care can be costly, especially if you are uninsured. Fortunately, we are pleased to partner with both CareCredit and Lending Club to provide patients the opportunity to enroll in flexible financing. By applying for a low or zero interest payment plan, you can break up the cost of your treatment into manageable payments.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
At Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center, your emergency dentist in Gainesville understands that not all injuries are preventable. But if you are lacking when it comes to your oral hygiene routine, or you do not wear proper mouth protection while engaging in physical activity, you can be looking at an emergency visit that could have been prevented.
Especially when it comes to toothaches and infections, these can be mitigated by practicing optimal oral hygiene at home and continuing to see us every six months for regular dental checkups and cleanings. Also, the minute you notice something isn’t right about your oral health, you should schedule an appointment. Waiting to see if it will go away on its own will only worsen your symptoms and likely leave you spending more time and money to fix the problem.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Since dental injuries like cracked teeth and damaged restorations can be painful to experience and stressful to handle, our Gainesville dental team wants to help you avoid them however possible. For that reason, we’ve dedicated this next section to covering some tips on what you can do to reduce your chances of needing to come to our office for same-day dental care!
Get a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Biannually
Patients often assume that dental checkups and teeth cleanings are optional as long as they consistently brush and floss at home. That’s not the case. After all, it’s possible for oral health problems to develop under the radar and for plaque and tartar to build up in the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. This can lead to everything from painful toothaches to bleeding gums, so it’s important that you come to our office every six months to help prevent that from happening!
Practice Good Dental Hygiene at Home
One of the best ways to safeguard your teeth and gums from harm is by taking good care of them! To start, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride to brush your teeth each morning and evening (for a full two minutes each time, too). Next, commit to flossing daily so food particles, plaque, and other debris are removed from between your teeth as well. Lastly, rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash for 30-60 seconds before bed.
Don’t Overindulge on Added Sugar
Unfortunately, ice cream, soda, and other sugary treats are a recipe for disaster when it comes to your oral health. At least, they are when consumed in excess. That’s why we encourage our patients to focus on eating well-balanced meals that are packed with nutrient-dense foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables. This will help protect your teeth from decay while also giving your body the nutrients it needs to fight off infections.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
It goes without saying that you should wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports like football. But did you know that you’re also supposed to wear one during non-contact sports, including surfing, skateboarding, and running? This will ensure that your teeth and gums are protected from a bad fall (which could lead to everything from a serious soft tissue injury to a completely knocked-out tooth).
Quit Unhealthy Habits
You likely already know about the dangers of smoking when it comes to your oral health. However, that’s far from the only habit that can wreak havoc on your smile. Biting your nails, chewing on the back of your pen, and using your teeth to remove bottle caps are a few other examples of habits that may seem harmless but actually dramatically increase your chances of sustaining a serious dental injury.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Many people have no idea what to do in the case of a dental emergency. When your tooth is hurting, broken, or knocked-out, the last thing you want to deal with is confusion. That’s why we’ve created this list of frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry and answered them for your convenience. If you have a dental emergency in Gainesville, be sure to call Exceptional Dentistry & Sedation Center!
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
It’s highly recommended that instead of going to the hospital, that you see your emergency dentist in Gainesville for treatment. Even though the staff at your local emergency room are trained medical professionals, they simply do not have the specialized expertise required to successfully treat specific dental emergencies. Not only that, but you could end up wasting precious time sitting in a waiting room instead of getting the care you need right away, like you would at our office. In general, you should only go to the ER as a last resort, such as if we are closed and you have knocked out a tooth.
Do I Still Need to Visit a Dentist If My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
No matter how small the chip is, you should always schedule an appointment with a dentist after you chip your tooth. Just because your tooth doesn’t hurt at the moment doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing is wrong. A chip in a tooth could expose its inner chamber to debris and bacteria that could be dangerous. Worse, the chip could grow larger without proper treatment, increasing the risk that the tooth will suffer extensive, permanent damage. While you can usually afford to wait a day or two if need be, you should still contact us as soon as you can following a chipped tooth.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
If you’re unable to visit our dental office until the next day and you have an intense toothache that is keeping you up at night, there are steps you can take to make it easier to get the rest you need. These include:
- Sleeping with your head elevated (preventing blood from rushing to your head and worsening your pain).
- Avoiding foods that are cold, hard, or acidic for a few hours before bed.
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
- Holding a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in ten-minute intervals.
Does Emergency Dental Care Cost More?
In general, your emergency dental exam should be relatively inexpensive. That being said, the specific treatments that are often performed to alleviate dental emergencies tend to qualify for less insurance coverage than routine checkups and cleanings. As a result, you may be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs.
The last thing you should do in a dental emergency is avoid scheduling a visit out of fear about the cost. This could cause your oral health problem to worsen, possibly resulting in the need for an even pricier procedure. Our practice accepts and maximizes dental insurance, and we also partner with CareCredit and Lending Club to help you split your treatment costs into affordable monthly installments.
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