Emergency Dentist – Des Plaines, IL
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Whenever you have a lost tooth, severe oral pain, or another type of dental emergency, you need to make an appointment at Brite Smiles immediately; delaying treatment will only make the problem worse. Dr. Patel, our trusted emergency dentist in Des Plaines, IL, and the rest of our dentistry team will diagnose the problem as quickly as possible and outline your options for emergency dental treatment. You can count on us to make sure that you get the relief that you need as soon as possible!
Why Choose Brite Smiles for Emergency Dentistry?
- Highly Flexible Scheduling
- Honest, Friendly Dentists
- State-of-the-Art Technology
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Make an Appointment: When you call our dental office, we will ask about your symptoms and give you advice for managing them at home. Then we will schedule an emergency appointment for you.
- Perform a Thorough Exam: When you get to our dental office, we will do what we can to relieve your immediate discomfort while we examine your mouth to confirm the source of the problem.
- Review Findings: After our examination is complete, we will go over our findings with you and explain what treatments are available. Before we ask you to make any kind of commitment, we’ll give you an overview of the costs involved as well as the expected timeline.
- Provide Personalized Care: Different emergencies call for different types of care. Your treatment plan will be customized just for you to help you restore your oral health, rebuild your smile, and put a stop to your pain.
The Most Common
Dental Emergencies
No matter what kind of dental emergency you have, you should make every effort to see a professional right away. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies you or your loved ones might experience at some point; if you notice any of these symptoms, reach out to our dental office.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment, we can’t give you an estimate of how much emergency dental care will cost online. Rest assured, that doesn’t mean that we will leave you in the dark about the cost. Quite the opposite, in fact: we will provide you with a price estimate following your exam and discuss the different financial solutions that are available so you feel confident moving forward.
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
As we mentioned above, we can only provide you with an estimate of the price after we’ve examined your mouth and determined what kind of issue you’re suffering from. With that said, more complex emergencies, like multiple tooth extractions, generally call for more costly care. As always, our team will only recommend treatments that are truly needed from an oral health perspective, and we’ll be sure to explain the associated costs upfront.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Keep in mind that, if you have dental insurance, your provider may pay for many of the treatments associated with emergency care. At Brite Smiles, we’re in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental Premier, Guardian, and several others. Not only that, but we work with out-of-network patients as well. So, if you are interested in using any available benefits you have, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t let a lack of dental insurance stop you from scheduling an appointment with our emergency dentist in Des Plaines. At our office, our patients can also save by:
- Signing Up for CareCredit – CareCredit is a third-party financier that allows patients to break up the cost of their care into smaller chunks over the course of several months.
- Joining Our In-House Dental Plan – Doing so comes with multiple cost-saving benefits, including up to 20% off restorative procedures.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Fortunately, many common dental injuries, including chips, cracks, and fractures, are largely preventable. That’s why we’re always encouraging our patients to incorporate healthy habits into their routine. If you aren’t sure where to begin, focus on your at-home oral hygiene regimen. You can also protect your smile from harm by wearing a mouthguard during sports, exercising caution with crunchy foods, and scheduling a dental visit twice a year.
Important reminder: Small dental problems usually get worse with time. So, the best thing for your smile and your wallet is to schedule an appointment when you first realize that something is wrong, like you’re experiencing a sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Although our emergency dentist in Des Plaines is always here to help, we also know how painful and stressful dental injuries can be. So, we want to help you avoid them! The best way to lower your risk is by being proactive about taking care of your smile. More specifically, we recommend:
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Even if you brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash consistently, you need to come to our dental office twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. There are a few reasons for this, including the fact that oral cancer can quickly develop under the radar. Not only that, but plaque and tartar can get left behind, wreaking havoc on your teeth and gums in the process. So, if it has been more than six months since your last visit, don’t wait any longer to schedule an appointment!
Brushing and Flossing Consistently
Oftentimes, patients brush their teeth and call it a day. However, brushing only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth. In order to clean the spaces between them and along your gumline, you need to floss and rinse with mouthwash consistently as well.
Tip: Don’t forget to clean your tongue! You can use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to do so. Just make sure to clean from the back to the front.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Another important component that patients often forget is their diet. After all, consuming ice cream, cookies, and other sugary treats in excess can quickly lead to cavities. Similarly, eating hard pretzels, peanut brittle, and other crunchy foods can lead to a serious chip or crack in your enamel. That’s why we always encourage our patients to stick to mostly healthy, well-balanced meals that are filled with lots of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
It’s not always easy to predict when an accident will damage or knock out your tooth, but you can lower the risk of one happening by wearing a mouthguard while playing sports (even non-contact ones). If you don’t have one already, don’t waste your money on one-size-fits-all ones that are uncomfortable and often a choking hazard. Instead, schedule an appointment at our office so we can have a custom one made for you.
Break Bad Habits, Like Smoking
Last, but certainly not least, you should drop bad habits, like smoking, biting your nails, and chewing on ice cubes. It’s also a good idea to avoid opening packages with your teeth. Even something as simple as taking the time to find and use the appropriate tool can save you from spending an afternoon at our office due to a severe dental injury.
Dental Emergency FAQs
No one ever expects to need an emergency dentist in Des Plaines, but accidents and oral health issues can occur with no warning. Don’t worry! Our compassionate dental team at Brite Smiles is here to help. Your emergency dentist will explain everything during your initial consultation. You can also take a look at the answers to the most frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with a member of our dental team.
Will a Toothache Go Away with No Treatment?
It’s unlikely a toothache will go away without any treatment. Often, tooth pain is caused by decay, fractures, or an infection, all of which are fixable. However, if you try to wait out the pain, the damage can continue until an extraction is your only option. If your pain goes away suddenly, it can be a sign that your tooth has died and will need to be removed.
Will a Chipped Tooth Heal?
Your enamel is stronger than some metals, but it can’t regenerate like other tissues in your body. Therefore, a chipped tooth will not heal. At most, it may remineralize, but it will be vulnerable to sensitivity, bacteria, and additional damage. It’s best to contact an emergency dentist, even if the break is superficial or you’re not having any pain.
Do I Need to See a Dentist If My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
A chipped tooth is a dental emergency in Des Plaines, whether you’re in pain or not. If the chip is minor and you don’t have any discomfort, you can wait a day or two to see a dentist, but don’t put off treatment for too long or you might lose your tooth. If you’re experiencing any pain or the damage is significant, contact our office right away.
Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
You rely on your dentures and can’t go without any teeth. A broken denture is a dental emergency. It’s best to wear an old denture if possible to avoid causing additional damage or injuries to your mouth. Don’t use any adhesives or superglue because they can contain toxic chemicals or cause allergic reactions. Instead, leave the mending to professionals. We will repair or replace your denture to restore your beautiful smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Emergency Dentistry?
Many dental insurance plans offer coverage for emergency services, like your consultation, imaging, or other diagnostic care. Depending on your treatment plan, your dental insurance may pay 50% to 80% of the expenses for medically necessary procedures after reaching your annual deductible. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your coverage to lower the amount you will pay out-of-pocket.
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