If you or a loved one needs emergency dental care, please call our office at 512-866-9654. When a dental emergency arises, time is of the essence. Prompt emergency treatment can often prevent costly, invasive dental procedures. We offer emergency dentistry care as a general dentistry service in Cedar Park, TX.
Additionally, if you are unsure about emergency care, you can call us and describe your dental problem. We will help determine if you need immediate treatment.
Emergency Dentistry in Cedar Park, TX
A dental emergency is any issue that requires immediate treatment and can’t wait. Without prompt treatment, they can severely damage your oral health. We will prepare a treatment room once you contact us with a dental emergency. Our team will be ready to treat you upon your arrival.
Emergency dentistry allows us to remedy the immediate issue, allowing for less invasive and more affordable care in the future. But what counts as a dental emergency?
Tooth Pain
A toothache or tooth pain is the most common dental emergency. Tooth pain comes in many forms, including sharp, throbbing, sudden, gradual, and aching. No matter which version is hitting you, it deserves immediate attention. Pain is a flashing indicator that something is wrong. One of the reasons it should be seen immediately is that it can have many different causes.
Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of tooth pain. The bacteria burrow far enough into your tooth that they’re affecting dental nerves, causing pain. When an infection gets deep into the bone around the tooth, it can cause an abscess. A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection filled with pus. Trauma or injury to a tooth can cause pain as well.
Sometimes, a root canal can remove tooth decay. However, if we cannot save the tooth, we may perform a tooth extraction as needed. If you have pain due to a dental injury, we will recommend a crown or dental bonding treatment. These treatments will cover and protect your tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Getting a tooth knocked out can be jarring, especially as an adult. But you need to remain calm and collected for the best result.
Depending on timing, the tooth may be viable to put back in your mouth. Retrieve the tooth, if you can, and gently rinse off any dirt or debris without scrubbing. Put the tooth in a cup of saliva to preserve it for as long as possible. When you bring it to our office, we’ll examine it and determine if it can be returned to your mouth.
If you cannot regain your natural teeth, we offer multiple options to replace missing teeth. These include dental implants, considered the gold standard for tooth replacement.
Broken Tooth
A small cosmetic chip off your tooth that you don’t even feel isn’t a dental emergency. That changes when a large chunk of your tooth breaks off. It may expose dental nerves, causing pain when they brush against food or your tongue. Depending on how the tooth broke off, there may also be sharp edges that can harm your tongue or other soft tissue. If you can, retrieve the portion of the tooth that broke off and bring it to your appointment.
We have various solutions for a broken tooth. One of the most popular is dental bonding. The bonding material is malleable, so we can craft it to match the tooth portion that broke off perfectly. This protects the dental nerves again and ensures no more sharp edges.
Broken Dental Restoration
A dental restoration can be many things, including a dental crown, filling, or denture. When you break a restoration, try to collect the pieces to bring to your appointment. We’ll determine if we can repair the restoration or if we need to make a brand new one. Don’t try to glue your restoration back together. You should also avoid putting the damaged restoration back in your mouth.
Our office will provide you with a temporary restoration. Don’t wait too long to receive professional care; your lost restoration will make everyday functions like biting and chewing uncomfortable.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Learn more about emergency dental care with answers to common questions from patients:
What is considered a dental emergency?
If you are experiencing significant dental pain, swelling, or bleeding, you are always welcome to call our office so we can advise. Not every situation requires immediate attention. However, we will almost always recommend that you come in right away for the following conditions:
- Unbearable toothache
- Cracked, broken, or dislodged tooth
- Severe gum swelling or bleeding
- Lost dental restoration
- Dental abscess
Should I go to the emergency room or see an emergency dentist?
It is pretty standard for patients to visit the hospital for issues that a dental professional should treat. However, if your emergency is tooth, gum, or jaw-related, we recommend calling our office first before you decide what to do.
Emergency rooms generally don’t have the expertise or equipment required to care for dental emergencies. They often refer patients to an emergency dentist. If you have any other injuries that are more time-sensitive, then you may want to visit the ER first.
Is emergency dental care affordable?
At Vista Ridge Family Dentistry, we strive to make all our services as affordable as possible, including our emergency services. However, in many cases, the best thing you can do is seek immediate treatment. Then, work out the financial details later to prevent your situation from becoming worse and more costly.
Our membership plan covers one emergency exam per year. We also accept payment plans if you need to break up the cost of your care. For more information, please call our office or visit our financial page.
Does insurance cover dental emergencies?
Most dental insurance plans cover dental emergencies, but the extent of coverage depends on the plan. Emergency visits, diagnostic procedures, and treatments like fillings or root canals may be covered, but some insurance providers may require you to pay a portion. It’s a good idea to check with your insurer beforehand or contact your dentist’s office to clarify what’s covered under your emergency dental care plan.
How can I prevent dental emergencies in the future?
To prevent dental emergencies, practice good oral hygiene, wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, and avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or hard candy. Regular dental check-ups can help detect issues early before they develop into emergencies. If you experience sudden tooth pain, it’s best not to wait, as it may indicate an underlying issue that could lead to more severe problems if left untreated.
Are dental emergencies more common for children?
Dental emergencies are common in children due to their active lifestyles and teeth development. Accidents such as falls, sports injuries, and even biting down on hard objects can lead to tooth trauma or pain. Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits and ensuring they wear protective gear during sports can reduce the risk of dental emergencies. In a dental emergency, seeking prompt treatment to prevent further damage or complications is crucial.
Call For Emergency Dentistry in Cedar Park, TX
If you have a dental emergency, please call 512-866-9654. You can schedule a dental consultation online if you require dental care but do not have an emergency. We want to ensure that you get the professional care you need.