Dental issues don’t always wait until regular dental office hours- they can happen at any time of the day or night. Some of these are dental emergencies and need to be addressed as soon as possible, while others can wait until a regular appointment. The team at Prime Family Dentistry offers emergency dentistry services to meet these needs.
Emergency Dentistry Explained
Emergency dentistry is an area of dentistry that primarily focuses on treating and controlling dental emergencies. Emergency dental treatment can get your pain, swelling, and/or bleeding under control.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a dental issue that requires immediate attention. If you have a dental issue such as uncontrollable pain, swelling, and/or bleeding, you are having a dental emergency. The best thing to do is contact the office as soon as possible. We will evaluate your condition over the phone to determine if you need to come in right away or if you can wait until the first available appointment.
Types of dental emergencies
There are several different types of dental emergencies:
Severe toothache
Abscess
Knocked-out tooth
Broken tooth
Loose tooth
Soft tissue injury
Broken/lost dental restoration or orthodontic appliance
When should you seek emergency care?
If you have excessive, uncontrollable bleeding, pain, and/or swelling, you need to seek emergency dental care.
What to Expect at an Emergency Dental Visit
The first step in your emergency dental visit is to get your pain and bleeding under control so that we can examine your mouth. The primary focus of an emergency exam is to identify the source of the problem. While we may take note of other issues that we notice, this is not the purpose of this exam.
Once we determine the source of the problem, we will discuss your options and create a treatment plan. In some cases, we may be able to complete the recommended procedures on the spot. In other cases, we may need to schedule treatment for later- but as soon as possible to prevent the issue from escalating.
We offer a variety of emergency dental treatments such as:
Your aftercare instructions will depend on the treatment provided. If you have an abscess, you will be given an antibiotic to get rid of it. In all cases, you’ll need to make sure that you practice proper oral hygiene to keep the site clean and prevent the issue from coming back and/or escalating.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Emergency Treatment?
Most dental insurance providers will cover at least a portion of emergency dental treatment. However, our office staff will work with your provider to be sure. At Prime Family Dentistry, we accept a variety of payment options including cash, check, credit/debit cards, and financing.
Benefits of Emergency Dentistry
Emergency dentistry offers several benefits including:
Alleviating pain, swelling, and/or bleeding
Prevents progression of dental issues
Preserves natural teeth
Restores functionality of your bite
Reduces risk of infection
Contact Prime Family Dentistry for Your Dental Emergencies
Dental issues can happen at any time of the day or night. While not all dental issues are considered an emergency, if you have uncontrollable pain, swelling, and/or bleeding, you need to have it addressed right away. Emergency dentistry can address these issues and help you get your smile back.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency in or near Stone Ridge, VA, contact Prime Family Dentistry. We have the experience and expertise to treat a variety of dental issues including toothache, abscess, lost or broken dental restoration or orthodontic appliance, and more.
You can call our office at (703) 214-9126. We are located at 24805 Pinebrook Road, Suite 316 in Stone Ridge. Our standard office hours are Monday and Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
The team at Prime Family Dentistry understands that you may have questions and/or concerns about your dental treatment. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about emergency dentistry.
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Dental issues can happen at any time of the day or night- it is important to note that not all dental issues are considered an emergency. However, if you have excessive, uncontrollable bleeding, pain, and/or swelling, you are experiencing a dental emergency and should contact the dentist as soon as possible.
What should I do if I experience a dental emergency?
If you experience a dental emergency, you can try to get control of the bleeding, pain, and swelling- and then contact the office as soon as possible. Once you explain your symptoms, we can determine if you need to come to the office right away or if we can get you the next available appointment.
What kinds of treatments are available in emergency dentistry?
We offer a variety of emergency treatments including:
- Root canal treatment
- Fillings/crowns
- Extractions
How long does an emergency dental appointment typically last?
The length of an emergency dental appointment depends on the type of dental emergency you have and the treatment options. It will take as long as is necessary to get your condition stabilized. If possible, we will treat the source of the problem on the same day.
Does insurance cover emergency dentistry?
Most dental insurance plans will cover emergency dentistry. However, there are some that will not. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine coverage. If you do not have adequate coverage, we do offer financing options to help you pay for your treatment.
How soon can I expect to receive treatment after visiting an emergency dentist?
In some cases, we may be able to complete the appropriate treatment on the same day as your emergency visit. If not, we will schedule your treatment as soon as possible to prevent the issue from coming back.