Emergency Dentistry – Evanston, IL
Fast & Pain-Relieving Dentistry When You Need It Most
Emergencies can be scary, and dental emergencies are no different. When one arises, it is easy to panic. The first instinct is often to head to the local emergency room. Fortunately, many dental emergencies do not require hospital care. Most can be treated right here at our Evanston dental office. There are even some that can easily be managed at home. If you call Winning Smile Dental Group, we can help you determine the best course of action and feel better right away with emergency dentistry in Evanston, IL.
Why Choose Winning Smile Dental Group for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Weekend & Evening Availability
- Low Radiation Digital X-Rays
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
The sooner you get in touch with our practice, the sooner we can start helping you take the necessary steps toward lasting relief from your dental emergency. While the details of your treatment will depend on your situation, we’ll normally follow these steps:
- Same-Day Appointment: We’ll make arrangements to see you as soon as we can, and we’ll provide first-aid advice over the phone based on the symptoms that you describe.
- Emergency Exam: At our office, we will capture any necessary X-rays and take a close look at your teeth and gums so that we can figure out what the cause of your emergency is. We’ll also help you deal with any pain you might currently be suffering from.
- Review Findings: One of our team members will go over our findings with you and let you know what treatments are available. When we recommend a service, we’ll explain how much it is likely to cost and how long you can expect it to take.
- Get the Care You Need: Whatever steps are needed to help you restore your oral health, you can count on us to perform the necessary treatments as quickly and comfortably as possible.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
The term “dental emergency” can refer to many different kinds of oral health issues. If you’re not sure whether you need emergency dental care, play it safe by giving our office a call; we can determine whether or not your situation is urgent enough for a same-day appointment. Here are some examples of dental emergencies that you should keep an eye out for.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
It’s not uncommon to be in such a panic during a dental emergency that you don’t start thinking about the potential costs until after you’re already sitting in the dental chair. But there’s no need to worry; you’ll have a trustworthy dental team to explain everything to you firsthand and make sure you aren’t caught off guard when the time comes to pay. The information below will give you a basic understanding of the factors that need to be considered regarding emergency dentistry and the costs thereof.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
Emergency dental care can mean many different things:
- It could mean having root canal therapy performed to stop a dental infection from spreading.
- It could mean having a crown placed to protect a heavily damaged tooth.
- It could mean undergoing tooth extractions if the teeth are too badly damaged to be worth saving.
- It could mean beginning TMJ therapy to stop chronic jaw pain.
And those are just a few examples. Obviously, not all of these procedures will carry the same cost, so the final price of emergency dental care is something that we can only estimate after we’ve examined your mouth. Of course, we will only move forward once you’ve understood and agreed to the costs involved.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Covering the costs of emergency care can wreak havoc on your budget. The best way to save money on emergency treatments is to avoid emergencies however you can. There’s no way to completely eliminate the risk of a sudden accident, but good oral hygiene, regular dental appointments, and the avoidance of bad habits such as crunching ice can all go a long way toward protecting your teeth. If you do happen to notice warning signs of a dental problem, then you should have your mouth checked out right away; odds are it will be much cheaper to deal with the issue while it’s still in its earliest form.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Chances are your insurance plan will help pay for most treatments commonly associated with emergency treatment. You can call your insurance carrier to confirm the type of coverage you’ll receive for root canal therapy and other types of dental care. Most of the time, the coverage will be around 50% to 80%, but of course, different plans will have different rates. Our team will help with the process of filing claims and go over your benefits with you so that you understand the coverage you’ll receive.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
CareCredit dental financing allows you to break up the cost of extensive dental care. Signing up for a plan will let you pay for care in smaller monthly installments. You won’t have any surprise fees or unexpected charges to worry about, and the interest rate – if there’s one at all – will be very low. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about signing up for CareCredit.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
There are some simple preventive steps you can take to reduce your risk of dental emergencies:
- Stick to your at-home oral hygiene routine.
- Visit Dr. Reese for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings.
- Be careful when eating sticky, hard, and chewy foods.
- Don’t use your teeth to open packages or chew on hard items.
- Maintain a nutritious diet.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
No one ever thinks a dental emergency is going to happen to them, but unfortunately, one in six Americans will have to deal with one every year. If you find yourself in a situation where you need an emergency dentist in Evanston, you might not know exactly what to do. Your first order of business should be to give our office a call. We’re here to help during this stressful time. Until then, it may help to read through these frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry.
How Do I Know If I Really Have a Dental Emergency?
Sometimes it’s unclear whether a dental problem needs immediate attention. A good rule of thumb is that healthy teeth should not hurt. Severe or persistent discomfort – especially if it lasts for more than two days – should never be ignored. Other signs that you need urgent treatment include significant swelling, large breaks or cracks in a tooth, and a tooth that has come loose or been knocked out altogether.
Can I Wait to Visit the Dentist?
Chances are you don’t have the time in your day to make an unexpected trip to the dentist’s office. You may be tempted to put off scheduling an appointment until you have the time (or money) to spare. However, waiting too long could mean the difference between saving and losing your tooth, especially if your tooth has been knocked out. Not only can this worsen your oral health, but it may increase your dental bills. As inconvenient as it may be, you’re better off calling your dentist in Evanston and setting up an appointment as soon as possible after the emergency occurs.
How Long Will It Take to Recover from a Dental Emergency?
Once you arrive at our office, our dentists will quickly and efficiently address the source of your problem. You will most likely experience some degree of soreness after this appointment. Depending on the specific nature of your emergency and the treatment we decide to administer, your smile may be completely pain-free in a few days to a week. Oftentimes, several appointments are needed to fully finish treating a dental emergency (for instance, many patients require a dental crown, which is a procedure that takes multiple visits).
What If I Experience a Dental Emergency While I’m Traveling?
If you will be out of town for at least several days, do NOT wait to see an emergency dentist. Go online and search for a “dentist near me” who can offer immediate treatment. Take a few minutes to read through their reviews so that you can be confident your smile’s health will be in good hands. After you’ve seen them and gotten your urgent dental problem taken care of, give us a call. We’ll schedule an appointment for when you return, just to make sure that you don’t need any additional treatment.
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