Emergency Dentist — Fort Worth, TX
Same-Day Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies can be difficult to handle because you can never anticipate them happening. That’s why it’s always a good idea to know of a local emergency dentist in Fort Worth, like Dr. Karen Neil, so you can rely on them whenever you’re in a sticky situation. If you have a toothache, just experienced dental trauma, or are dealing with any other type of oral emergency, don’t hesitate to call our dental office immediately for emergency dentistry in Fort Worth.
Why Choose Karen Neil Fort Worth Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Flexible Additional Financing
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Available
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Contact us right away. The sooner you give us a call, the better chance we have of saving your smile. Our team will work quickly to get you seen that very same day. An experienced team member will provide essential information over the phone to help manage your situation in the meantime.
- Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Neil will conduct a detailed oral examination to identify the cause of your emergency. Using her findings, she’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your oral health back to normal.
- Get the care you need. During your appointment, Dr. Neil might be able to temporarily relieve your pain. However, you will likely have to return for additional treatment like fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and gum disease treatment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
The first step you should always take if you have a dental emergency is to contact our dental office. We’ll schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible so you don’t have to sit in pain for any longer than necessary. We can also provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to minimize additional oral damage as well. Below, we’ve included some helpful tips to ease any discomfort until you reach our dental office.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Patients visit our office for all sorts of reasons – from persistent tooth pain to a loose restoration or a completely knocked-out tooth. For that reason, there isn’t a flat fee when it comes to the price of emergency dentistry. With that said, you can trust that our team at Fort Worth Dentistry will do our best to make navigating the financial component of your treatment headache-free. We’ve even dedicated this next section to covering some important information on the topic!
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
The cost of your dental emergency treatment will depend largely on our diagnosis during your examination. After all, this will determine how severe your situation is and, in turn, what action needs to be taken! Once that’s determined, we’ll walk you through our treatment plan, explain pricing details to you, and help you better understand your payment options. If you have any questions along the way, we will be sure to answer them so you feel completely informed and confident.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Although it’s rare for dental insurance providers to cover the cost entirely, there is a good chance that your benefits will cover at least a portion of it. For example, you may be reimbursed 40% to 80% of the cost of restorative care. Similarly, your plan may include one emergency exam annually. Simply put, it’s worth calling your provider or reading through your paperwork to familiarize yourself with your benefits. Although we aren’t in-network with any plans, we can help you better understand your coverage as well as file claims on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
We do have periodic special offers that can help lower your out-of-pocket expenses. However, one of the most popular financial solutions is CareCredit. This is a trusted third-party financier that offers a wide range of treatment plans. That way, you don’t have to put a strain on your wallet by paying for the entire cost upfront. There are even low-to-no-interest options for qualified patients! If you have a question about this option or need help signing up, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Ways Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
When it comes to saving money on dental care, patients often forget that prioritizing preventive dentistry can help! To start, your biannual checkups allow us to catch decay, cracks, and other dental damage before more extensive, costly treatments are necessary. Furthermore, your six-month cleanings ensure that plaque and tartar are removed before they negatively impact the condition of your teeth and gums. So, if you are looking to save on dental care, one of the best places to start is by implementing a solid at-home oral hygiene routine and visiting us twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency. With that said, you can take a few precautionary measures to reduce your risk. In addition to scheduling an appointment with us as soon as you notice an abnormal dental symptom, like a toothache or loose restoration, we encourage our patients in Fort Worth to:
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Simply put, your biannual visits to our Fort Worth dental office aren’t just to prevent cavities and gum disease. These appointments also allow our dental team to periodically scan for small cracks, loose restorations, and early warning signs of gingivitis. That way, we can intervene with the necessary restorative care before it results in a serious dental injury.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Naturally, keeping your teeth and gums healthy between visits is important as well. Implementing a solid oral hygiene routine is one of the best ways to do that! First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth each morning and evening. Remember, you need to do so for a full two minutes each time. Second, floss and rinse with mouthwash consistently. This will help clean between your teeth and any areas of your mouth your toothbrush missed.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
You’ve probably heard that you should keep your consumption of foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum. One of the reasons why is that sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, which can leave your teeth vulnerable to cracks and fractures. To maintain your oral health, we recommend sticking to well-balanced, nutrient-dense meals as often as possible. Plain yogurt, oatmeal, fresh fruits, and cooked vegetables are great places to start.
Wear a Mouthguard
Whether you’re at practice or you’re at a game, you need to wear a mouthguard during contact sports. In fact, there are some non-contact sports that require a mouthguard as well, such as surfing and skateboarding. Remember, this small device can help prevent a wide range of dental emergencies, including knocked-out teeth and serious soft tissue injuries.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Many patients are under the impression that they can use their teeth to open packages and bottle caps because they are strong and sharp. That’s not the case! In reality, it’s one of the easiest ways to wind up in our dental office with a cracked, chipped, or fractured tooth. So, always use the appropriate tools instead.
Tooth Extractions
We understand that no substitution can compare to your natural teeth, which is why we never suggest extracting them unless it’s absolutely necessary. Fortunately, if you do need to have a tooth removed, we offer several replacement options, like dental implants and bridges, to repair your smile quickly.
TMJ Therapy
Do you wake up with a dull headache due to nightly teeth grinding or experience lockjaw? These are two common signs of TMJ dysfunction, also sometimes referred to as TMD. Dr. Neil offers TMJ diagnoses and customized therapy plans to relieve your discomfort and improve your overall quality of life. With occlusal adjustments and splints, we can address important underlying issues that have resulted in imbalanced jaw joints.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dental emergencies are frightening and can happen when you least expect them to. If you’ve never experienced one before, the entire situation can be quite unsettling. Fortunately, being well-informed and prepared to handle these incidents can help you navigate them with ease. That’s why our team has decided to answer the most common questions we receive from patients about dental emergencies. If you don’t see your specific question below, feel free to contact our office and schedule an appointment today!
Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
In most cases, a toothache will not go away on its own and require dental treatment. If you experience any type of tooth pain, even if it’s mild, you should schedule a visit with your emergency dentist in Fort Worth for an oral examination. They’ll check the tooth in question and identify the cause. Since there are many reasons why it could be happening, it’s important to rule out any concerning issues before they turn into complications. In some instances, the pain around the tooth might resolve on its own if it’s the result of irritation in the surrounding gum tissue.
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
Do you have a throbbing toothache? It could indicate an infection or inflammation within the tooth. When you have a cavity, it can allow air and bacteria to reach the sensitive inner area, causing irritation and potential infection of the pulp nerves. Sometimes, throbbing teeth can be due to decay or even chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching.
Do I Need to Visit for Minor Chips to Teeth?
A chipped, fractured, or broken tooth will not heal on its own. If you neglect to seek treatment for it, the damage will only worsen. You must schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist in Fort Worth if your tooth is sharp or jagged as it can lead to you cutting your gums or oral tissues by accident. At your visit, your dentist will assess the severity of the break to determine the appropriate solution for your unique case.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
Everyone has experienced bad breath at some point in their lives. Most people notice it in the morning or after eating a meal that’s known for causing a foul odor in the mouth. However, some may have chronic bad breath (halitosis), which is quite different. It usually can’t be managed with mints or even good oral hygiene. Some potential causes include smoking, using tobacco products, or underlying issues (i.e., cavities, gum disease, oral infections). If your bad breath doesn’t improve within a few days, you should contact your dentist to rule out any underlying health problems or conditions.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Worried About Bleeding Gums I Want to Enhance My Smile Dentists Make Me Nervous & Anxious View Our Services