Emergency Dentist — Austin, TX
Get Your Urgent Dental Issue Treated Today!
When you’re facing a dental emergency, the last thing you should do is put off treatment. Instead, book a visit with Dr. Ifraitekh as soon as possible – he’ll get your smile back on track quickly! Whether you have a toothache or a dental infection, he and the rest of Snow Dental will ensure your condition doesn’t get worse. In fact, we’ll do everything we can to make your grin healthy and pretty again. So, don’t hesitate – call our office today and get an appointment on your schedule.
Why Choose Us for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Provides Sedation Options for Nervous Patients
- Dentist Experienced in Oral Surgery
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
If you’re unsure of how emergency dental care works, don’t panic; our office will give you a quick summary. To that end, here are some things to expect at your emergency visit:
- A Same-Day Appointment – Once you call us, we’ll book your appointment for the earliest time possible. We could well see you the very same day! As you wait for the visit, our staff will also provide first-aid tips over the phone.
- An Emergency Exam – After you arrive at our office, our team will do a quick emergency exam. This step lets us learn the source and extent of your issue. Plus, it confirms how best to relieve your pain.
- A Review of Findings – Following the exam, our dentists will review their findings with you. They’ll even suggest potential procedures. Based on your response, we’ll then draft a custom treatment plan just for you. (This plan will explain the price and timeline before the procedure.)
- Needed Care – Whatever your oral problem, our team will quickly fix it. That means your smile will be gleaming and pain-free in no time. Whether you need a filling, crown, root canal therapy, or something else, you can count on us.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency occurs, the first thing you should do is give our dental office a call. This way, you can get helpful advice on managing your dental emergency as well as schedule an appointment as soon as possible, ideally for the same day. The steps you’ll need to take will vary depending on the type of emergency you’re experiencing. Below, we’ve listed important steps to take next should you experience a toothache, a knocked-out tooth, or a similar dental emergency.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
When you’re in the middle of a dental emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you can afford the services required to save your smile. Our team is happy to provide a detailed estimate after your initial examination with Dr. Ifraitekh so that you know what you can expect to pay for the suggested treatments before proceeding.
Continue reading to learn more about how the total owed for emergency dental care is calculated, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Every Dental Emergency is Unique
Although we would love to provide a quote in advance, it’s impossible to know the total price of your emergency services until we understand what we’re working with. First, Dr. Ifraitakh must identify the issue and the extent of the damage so he can provide suitable solutions. Some concerns can be handled relatively quickly, like filling a cavity that may be causing a toothache.
However, your condition may require more expensive services, like a root canal or extraction, and appropriate restoration, like a dental crown or implant. We’ll take the time to walk you through the details of our proposed plan for your approval before moving forward.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Usually, dental insurance policies do include some type of coverage for urgent dental situations. For example, you may have at least one emergency examination or X-rays available, free of charge. Other common services that may be needed, like root canals, dental crowns, and extractions are 50% to 80% covered.
Every plan is different, so it’s worth checking your information to verify whether emergency services are included. Please let us know if you’re having challenges finding the information or need help with claims paperwork, and our friendly office staff would be happy to assist.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
We proudly accept all traditional, indemnity, and PPO dental insurance plans, but we also know that not everyone carries a policy. That said, we don’t want your budget to hold you back from receiving the care necessary to protect and preserve your smile.
As a result, we’ve partnered with CareCredit, a third-party financial program. If your application is approved, this option allows you to break up your total invoice into more manageable installments that are easier on your wallet.
How Proper Preventative Care Can Save Money
Some dental emergencies are truly unavoidable, but thankfully, many common urgent issues can potentially be prevented. Cleaning your mouth consistently removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to different dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease, injuries, etc. You should brush and floss twice daily and visit our team for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months. This allows us to identify and address areas of concern, like weakening enamel, before it progresses into a more serious problem that requires a more complex and costly treatment.
Also, it’s best to contact us for an appointment as soon as you notice anything that could put your oral health at risk, like chips, cracks, discomfort, or other seemingly minor issues. Dental problems don’t usually fix themselves and only worsen the longer they go unaddressed.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
As you’d expect, it’s better to prevent a dental emergency than to manage one. Luckily, most urgent oral issues can be avoided with good oral health practices. By following them diligently, you’ll greatly reduce your risk for most dental problems – tooth decay, cavities, infections, etc. If you’re not sure where to begin, then read on!
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Regular dental visits are important for several reasons. The first is that plaque and tartar can’t be removed with the tools you have at home, so we need to conduct routine cleanings to keep your teeth and gums healthy. The second is that many dental problems, including cracks in your enamel, can develop for weeks or months without any symptoms. Your biannual visits to our office ensure we can catch (and treat) dental damage like this ASAP.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, taking good care of your teeth is crucial too. We strongly recommend brushing twice a day (every day) as well as flossing and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash consistently. It’s also important to commit to other good oral hygiene habits at home, like changing your toothbrush every three months, not using mouthwash or toothpaste that has expired, and cleaning your toothbrush holder periodically.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Although hard pretzels, croutons, almonds, and similar foods have a satisfying crunch, they can lead to a serious chip or crack. That’s why it’s important to exercise caution or avoid them altogether. It’s equally as important not to over-indulge on foods and drinks that are loaded with added sugar since they can quickly lead to decay. In short, eating nutrient-dense foods and drinking water will go a long way when it comes to keeping your smile happy and healthy.
Wear a Nightguard to Protect Your Teeth
Do you often wake up in the morning with a sore jaw? Do you deal with headaches when you wake up? If so, you might be unintentionally grinding or clenching your teeth at night. Fortunately, we have a simple solution: a custom nightguard. Not only will this dental device alleviate symptoms like these, but they will also protect your teeth from chips, cracks, and other damage.
Break Bad Habits
There are a few bad habits we recommend breaking in an effort to reduce your chances of experiencing a dental emergency, like using your teeth to tear open plastic wrapping. You also shouldn’t bite your nails, chew on ice cubes, or put your pen or pencil in your mouth.
Important note: Using tobacco products can also wreak havoc on your oral health. So, if you smoke, there’s no time like the present to quit! If that’s proven to be difficult in the past, don’t hesitate to ask us for recommendations at your next appointment; we may be able to help.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?
If – seemingly overnight – your toothache has disappeared, you might be wondering what that means. Does that mean your tooth has healed itself? Does that mean you no longer need to schedule an appointment? The short answer is “no.” In fact, this is usually the result of the nerve dying, so the root of the problem is very much still present. For this reason, we strongly recommend visiting our emergency dentist in Austin, Dr. Ifraitekh, as soon as you can.
Should You Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water?
The best thing to do is put the tooth in a clean container filled with milk or put it back in its socket (but only if it slides back into place without any force). The reason water isn’t a suitable alternative is because it won’t preserve the root surface cells. In other words, it can be used to remove debris from the surface, but it can’t be used to preserve your tooth.
How Long Can I Go Without a Crown After It Falls Off?
Although your tooth isn’t in immediate danger, the risk of it breaking or an infection developing increases the more time that passes. So, even if the situation doesn’t seem urgent because you aren’t in pain, don’t wait – call us right away to schedule an emergency appointment. In addition to scheduling an exam, a helpful member of our team will walk you through what to do until you arrive at our office, including how to take care of your restoration.
What If I Can’t Afford Emergency Dentistry?
We know that an unexpected bill can result in anxiety and stress, which is why we go the extra mile to help our patients navigate the financial side of their care. In addition to welcoming dental insurance and flexible financing, we offer periodic specials to help our patients save. Plus, we’re here to provide further details and answer any questions you have along the way.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
Patients who struggle with bad breath often assume that something is wrong, like they have a cavity or an infection in their gums. However, the odor could be a result of many things – from diet to oral hygiene (or lack thereof). An easy way to find out is by eliminating pungent foods from your diet, like fish and garlic, while also getting serious about your dental care regimen. If that doesn’t help, give your dentist a call, especially if you are experiencing other abnormal symptoms, like tender gums or pain when biting down.
More to Explore
I Need a Dental Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I Want a Straighter Smile I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I am Anxious/Afraid of the Dentist View Our Services