Emergency Dentist — Houston, TX
Don’t Worry About Dental Emergencies: Call Us!
Even if you diligently take care of your teeth every day, accidents can still happen. These situations, typically referred to as dental emergencies, usually require a person to seek out dental care immediately. For dental emergencies, Dr. Cher Rich and our team can provide you the quick and effective treatment you need in your most vulnerable moments. If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, be sure to contact us immediately , even if it is after hours.
Why Choose Cher Rick DDS for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Calming Sedation Dentistry In-House
- Open as Early as 7 A.M.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Set up your same-day appointment with our team: No matter what your dental emergency is, you should always call us first. Our team will do everything we can to see you as soon as possible (we’ll make same-day appointments), and we’ll also walk you through basic first-aid over the phone.
- Complete an emergency exam with Dr. Rich: Once you arrive at our practice, we can perform a detailed emergency exam, capture X-rays if necessary, and determine the exact source and extent of your emergency. We can also get you pain relief in most cases, but only if you visit!
- Reviewing our findings and recommending treatment: We’ll go over our findings with you one-on-one and recommend a treatment plan complete with estimated costs and an expected timeline. You’ll know what to expect before receiving any dental service so you can make an informed decision on your care.
- Get the professional care you need: Our team will work quickly to get you relief, whether it’s through dental fillings, crowns, TMJ therapy, scaling and root planing, or another service if needed.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
These are situations where you should stop whatever you are doing and call us as soon as you can. Do not assume your dental emergency will get better. Instead, give us a call and tell us about your symptoms so we can get you the dedicated attention you need fast!
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Without performing a more detailed exam of your mouth, it’s extremely difficult to know for sure how much your emergency treatment will cost. That’s why it’s so important to come to our office as soon as you can! Not only will we pinpoint the root of the problem, but we will also discuss your treatment options and provide you with an estimate of the price. If you are interested in learning more on the topic in the meantime, then feel free to keep reading.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
Simply put, no two situations are exactly the same. In order to provide you with a price estimate, we need to examine your mouth, evaluate the state of your oral health, and discuss your treatment options. Then, once we’ve determined the type of restorative care that’s needed, we can discuss the cost. We will also review the different financial solutions that are available to ensure that we can address your emergency and protect your long-term oral health without exceeding your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Not only do many providers cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative care, but some also cover one emergency exam each year. So, if you have dental insurance, it’s worth reading through the fine print on your plan to familiarize yourself with your benefits. If you need any help, you can also give us your membership information! Since we work with Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and several others, we can make understanding and utilizing your coverage easy.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, you might be wondering how you can make the cost of emergency dentistry in Houston more affordable. The answer is “CareCredit.” This trusted third-party financier offers convenient payment plans, and several have little-to-no interest attached. As a result, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of your treatment plan in one lump sum. Instead, you can break up the total price into smaller, more manageable chunks that fit comfortably into your monthly budget.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Unfortunately, your teeth and gums aren’t able to heal on their own. As a result, the longer you wait to get the dental care that you need, the worse the root of the problem will get. So, if you want to protect your smile (and your wallet!), the best thing to do is to reach out to us when you first suspect that something is wrong.
It’s also worth mentioning here that many common dental emergencies, including knocked-out teeth, are largely preventable. The key is incorporating healthy habits into your everyday routine, starting with wearing a mouthguard when you’re active. You should also avoid doing anything that could jeopardize your oral health, like chewing on ice cubes.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
It’s always much easier to prevent dental emergencies rather than treat them after they’ve occurred, so keeping a few proactive tips in mind could mean the difference between having a healthy smile and a damaged one that requires professional treatment. This includes:
- Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Flossing at least once a day
- Visiting our office for a checkup every six months
- Never using your teeth as a tool
- Wearing a mouthguard as needed to prevent chips or cracks in teeth
- Eating a balanced diet
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
How Long Should I Wait to Receive Emergency Care?
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s critical that you seek treatment right away, even if you’re not sure whether it’s an emergency. When it comes to dental care, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. This is especially true if you have a damaged or knocked-out tooth, as time is of the utmost importance when it comes to saving your tooth. Furthermore, most dental emergencies have pain associated with them, so you’re going to want to see your emergency dentist as soon as possible to relieve your discomfort.
When Should I Go to the E.R. vs. the Dentist?
If your dental emergency is also life-threatening, like if you’re experiencing swelling that hinders your ability to breathe, then go to your local emergency room instead of seeing your dentist. Also visit the hospital if you injure your jaw and think it may be broken. For any other urgent dental situations, it’s best to see your emergency dentist.
What If My Child Knocks Out a Baby Tooth?
Unlike with a knocked-out permanent tooth, do NOT try and place the baby tooth back in the socket. Doing so may damage the underlying adult tooth. Depending on how close the tooth was to falling out naturally, we will decide whether to re-implant it. If it was not close, we may have to put a space maintainer in the area to keep the surrounding teeth from drifting and trying to fill in the gap.