5 Important Factors Your Emergency Dentist Should Have

If you suddenly found yourself with a broken, knocked-out, or painful tooth, would you know where to go? Surveys report that thousands of dollars and hours are wasted by patients going to an ER for their dental emergency instead of their dentist. An emergency dentist has the training, experience, and (most importantly) availability to get you out of pain and protect your smile from permanent damage. Since dental emergencies are typically unexpected and alarming, it’s essential that you have an emergency dentist in mind beforehand! Here are five factors to keep in mind when choosing your family’s emergency dentist.

1.) They Have Same-Day Appointments & Evening Hours

If you have a cracked or knocked-out tooth, the last thing you want to do is wait for treatment! Many emergency dentists will offer evening hours. Additionally, look for a dentist who has times reserved to see emergency patients. You want to choose a practice that always tries to accommodate same-day emergency appointments.  

2.) They Offer a Wide Range of Dental Services

Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, including everything from a small crack to a serious dental infection. That’s why the emergency dentist you choose should offer a wide range of services. Root canals and tooth extractions are often used to treat emergencies, as are fillings, crowns, and prescriptions. You should also consider choosing a dentist who can perform dental implant placement in-office, which is crucial if you lose a tooth or have one extracted.

3.) They Use State-of-the-Art Technology & Treatments

Dentistry has evolved by leaps and bounds over the years to become much more effective and comfortable. State-of-the-art technology like a CT scanner and the iTero 5D scanner can quickly and painlessly give your emergency dentist detailed images of your teeth, jaws, and all the rest of your oral structures. Additionally, if you or a loved one is afraid of the dentist, you may want to consider choosing an emergency dentist who offers sedation dentistry.

4.) They Take Your Insurance or Have Financing Options

Most dental insurance policies offer some sort of coverage for emergency exams. Many restorative treatments such as crowns and extractions are partially covered at 50-80%. However, this is only true if your emergency dentist accepts your insurance, so make sure to check online or give their practice a call. If you don’t have dental insurance, look for an emergency dentist who offers financing options through reputable third-party companies like CareCredit to help make caring for your smile affordable.

5.) They Are Also Your Regular Dentist

Ideally, you would bring your dental emergency to a dentist that you already know and trust! If your emergency dentist is also the dentist you and your family visit twice a year for checkups, you’ll feel that much more relaxed during an emergency working with a dental team you already know and trust. What’s more, a dentist who already knows you, your oral health, medical history, and previous dental work can provide more personalized care.

Don’t wait until you’re facing a dental emergency to pick out an emergency dentist! Keep these five factors in mind to ensure your smile is in the best hands.

About the Practice

Dr. Bradford Plasha of The Dental Spot is committed to serving the smiles of Collegeville and the surrounding communities. Whether he’s providing a routine checkup, replacing a dental crown, or handling a dental emergency, his focus is always on patient comfort. He and his team go above and beyond to ensure that all your treatments are as pleasant and effective as possible. To learn more about the emergency dentistry services he provides, feel free to contact him via his website or at (484) 854-6900.