Emergency Dentist Rapid City
Helping Get You Out of Pain with Fast Emergency Dental Care
Whether you suddenly developed a searing toothache that’s keeping you from being able to focus at work or you accidentally chipped a tooth, Dr. Anderson and our experienced team are here to help you get out of pain and restore your smile. We offer a number of treatments, including root canals and tooth extractions, to make sure your smile remains healthy and as functional as possible. Give us a call if you require urgent emergency dentistry in Rapid City.
Why Choose Anderson Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- In-House Root Canal Treatment Available
- Advanced Diagnostic Imaging with CBCT
- Same-Day Dental Crowns for Immediate Protection
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
Our team will start your emergency dental appointment by capturing any necessary X-rays or imaging using our cone beam CT scanner. After Dr. Anderson has reviewed the images and conducted his own examination of your smile, he will develop a treatment plan based on his diagnoses and walk you through it. In some cases, our team may be able to complete the procedure right then and there, while other treatments may need to be scheduled at a date in the near future.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common dental emergencies that we see. However, we always recommend giving us a call if you’re experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or oral pain.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Whether you’re visiting us because you’re dealing with a dull, persistent ache or a sharp, stabbing pain, you’re likely wondering how much the dental care that you need will cost. Although we can’t provide you with an accurate estimate of the price without completing a comprehensive oral exam, we can share some helpful information on the topic, including the financial solutions that are available outside of dental insurance.
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
We mentioned above that we cannot provide you with an accurate estimate of the price without completing a comprehensive oral exam. That’s because there are several factors that need to be considered, starting with the type of dental injury you’ve sustained and extending to the restorative treatment (or combination of treatments) that is needed. With all of that said, you don’t have to worry – our team at Anderson Dental will not leave you in the dark about something as important as the cost. Instead, we will provide you with an estimate upfront and discuss the different financial solutions that are available.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Many dental insurance providers cover 100% of the cost of preventive care, between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments, and one emergency exam per year. So, if you are insured, you shouldn’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information! We’re proud to be in-network with Delta Dental and accept all PPO dental insurance plans. Not only that, but we can file the paperwork on your behalf to ensure that utilizing your available benefits is simple instead of stressful.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
What if you don’t have dental insurance? In that case, we recommend considering flexible financing! At our office, we’re happy to work with both Cherry and CareCredit. That way, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of the emergency dental care you need in one lump sum. Instead, you can break it up into smaller, more manageable chunks that fit within your budget comfortably.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
If you want to protect your smile from harm and your wallet from an unexpected bill, it’s important to prioritize healthy habits, like rinsing with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds each day. At the same time, avoid doing anything that could jeopardize your oral health, like overindulging on sugary foods, smoking, or using your teeth as tools to open things.
It’s also important that we mention here that you should schedule an appointment at our office every six months. If you start to notice anything unusual between visits, like pain when chewing, then you should schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Rapid City right away.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Whether you chip a tooth or you completely knock one out, our team at Anderson Dental is just a phone call away. That said, we know from years of helping patients how stressful and painful even small dental injuries can be. That’s why we’re sharing the steps you can take to protect your smile from harm, starting with scheduling a dental cleaning every six months.
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
A great way to reduce your risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health problems is by visiting us every six months. Not only does this allow us to complete an oral cancer screening, but it also ensures that built-up plaque and tartar are removed. Plus, if any issues do develop, we can catch (and treat!) them in the early stages, before they require emergency dental care.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, taking care of your smile on a daily basis is important as well. In addition to brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening, you should floss, rinse with mouthwash, and clean your tongue daily. Then, focus on other improvements you can make to your at-home oral hygiene regimen, like replacing your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every quarter.
Exercise Caution with Crunchy Foods
You’re likely already aware of the importance of limiting your intake of ice cream, soda, and other sugary treats. However, it’s just as important that you exercise caution with crunchy foods, like tortilla chips, hard pretzels, and raw almonds. It’s also important to stick to mostly healthy, well-balanced meals that are filled with fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you like taking a weekly yoga class with your friends? Maybe you prefer to play pickleball, run, or lift weights. However you like to stay active, it’s important that you protect your teeth and gums by wearing a mouthguard. If you don’t have one already, then schedule an appointment with our dental team in Rapid City so we can have a custom one made for you.
If you chronically grind or clench your teeth at night, we also recommend contacting us so we can have a nightguard made for you. Wearing this oral appliance each night will dramatically reduce the chances of your enamel chipping or cracking.
Break Harmful Habits
Lastly, if you want to avoid a painful dental injury that requires same-day care from our emergency dentist in your area, then you need to break harmful habits. That starts with the obvious ones, like smoking, and extends to not biting your nails or chewing on ice cubes. You also shouldn’t use your teeth as tools, even if it seems harmless, like tearing open plastic wrapping or opening a bag of chips.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What if I can’t afford emergency dentistry?
Oftentimes, patients are worried about two things when it comes to dentistry: pain and price. The good news is that we can help with both! With price specifically, we accept all PPO dental insurance plans and are in-network with Delta Dental. Plus, if you don’t have dental insurance, you can break up the total cost of your treatment plan into smaller installments with CareCredit or Cherry. As a result, we’re able to help patients with a wide range of budgets.
Do I need to go to the dentist for a small chip in my tooth?
Yes. However, a same-day appointment isn’t always necessary. For example, if you aren’t experiencing persistent sensitivity or discomfort, then coming to our office within the next few days should suffice. Just make sure to take the necessary precautions in the meantime, like sticking to soft foods and not chewing on that side of your mouth.
What if my toothache suddenly disappears?
If your toothache suddenly disappears, you might assume that you’re in the clear – the root of the problem is gone! Unfortunately, however, the change in symptoms is usually due to the nerve dying. For that reason, it’s still of the utmost importance that you visit our emergency dentist in Rapid City, Dr. Karl Anderson. That way, he can provide the restorative care that you need before your gums and surrounding teeth are negatively impacted as well.
I am scared of the dentist. What should I do?
If you experience stress, anxiety, or nerves surrounding your appointments, then you’ll be happy to hear that you don’t just have to white-knuckle your way through them. Instead, you can add dental sedation to your treatment plan. That way, you can relax comfortably while we provide the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry that’s needed.
How long can a tooth last after it has been knocked out of your mouth?
It only takes about 15 minutes for the tooth to start to die. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly! We recommend calling our team at Anderson Dental so we can schedule an appointment within the hour. We’ll also share what you can do to preserve the root surface cells in the meantime, like placing the tooth back in the socket or submerging it in a clean container filled with milk.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Only if you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like difficulty breathing or uncontrollable bleeding. The reason for this is simple: there typically aren’t dentists on staff at hospitals. So, if you show up with a toothache or a damaged crown, then they will likely alleviate any pain you’re experiencing before referring you back to our office.
What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?
We recommend packing the following items:
- A small storage container for teeth or restorations
- Sterile gloves
- Gauze pads
- Petroleum jelly
- Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen
- Floss
- An ice pack
You should also include a piece of paper that has our phone number and address.
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