Dental emergencies come in two unpleasant varieties: a sudden injury where a tooth is broken or knocked out, or a severe toothache that seems to come out of nowhere. In either case, immediate dental care is essential to relieve any pain and ensure the problem doesn’t get worse. If you or a loved one ever find yourselves in either one of these situations, you can always turn to Cochell Family Dentistry. We strive to see emergency dental patients as fast as possible so your effected schedule - be it work or play - is minimized along with your pain. Be sure to give us a call for emergency dentistry in Salem, OR because we are here when you need us!
Dr. Christel Cochell has been serving dental patients of all kinds since 2005, and her comfortable, family-friendly dental office will help you feel as relaxed as possible during emergency situations. We are also one of only a few private practices in the greater Salem area who offer appointment availability on Fridays, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you are struggling with a severe injury and/or distracting oral pain. Dr. Cochell will address your concerns conveniently, compassionately, and effectively with well-developed skills and modern technology.
There are two major subsets of dental emergencies, the first one being accidents, injuries, and general trauma to the teeth and jaw. These situations can happen in an instant when you’re least expecting it, leading to painful dental fractures or even fully knocked out teeth. The second is significant pain, tenderness, or sensitivity in the teeth. These can develop gradually because of poor oral hygiene, bad chewing habits, and infections.
Regardless of what type of dental emergency you’re facing, we are ready and well-equipped to take care of you and get your oral health back on track. If you’re not sure if your situation qualifies as a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call and explain your symptoms or situation. We’ll help you determine how urgent your circumstances are and schedule you an appointment accordingly. Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Cochell Family Dentistry.
Attempting to determine the cost of emergency dentistry in Salem is impossible without a scheduled consultation with our dental team. No two injuries are alike and can vary with regard to the type of treatment needed to address the situation. If you’re feeling unsure about seeking professional help out of fear it will cost too much, do not allow this mindset to keep you from getting the care you need. Waiting until you’re more financially able will only cause the problem to worsen, resulting in costlier and timelier dental care.
Chipped, broken, knocked-out teeth as well as soft tissue laceration, chronic jaw pain, and even lost restorations all require different methods of treatment. You might assume your problem will heal by itself over time, but the reality is it will not. Instead, it will only worsen. Allowing your emergency dentist in Salem to examine the problem area and recommend one or more available treatment options can help you to decide how you can prepare and budget to address and improve your oral health.
Some dental insurance companies offer at least one emergency exam each year. This is not always the case, so you’ll either need to call your insurer to inquire or a member of our team can work on your behalf. Depending on the type of restorative care you need, there is a good chance your insurance policy will cover between 50-80% of the total cost once you’ve met your deductible. You’ll also need to have enough in your annual maximum allotment, otherwise, you’ll be expected to pay the remaining balance after these funds are used.
If you need assistance paying the bill after filing with your dental insurance, or you are uninsured, you can always apply to enroll in a low or zero interest financing plan through CareCredit. This unique program makes it easy to enroll and receive approval. You can then begin to create payment plans that match your budget and help you avoid uncertainty as to how you’ll pay for your emergency care.
Dental emergencies vary in degrees of severity. While many cannot be avoided, others never have to start. Toothaches and infections often lead to costly procedures in an attempt for your dentist to try and save your tooth. If you commit to practicing good oral hygiene at home, eating healthy foods, protecting your teeth, and continuing to see your dentist every six months, you can minimize your risk for complex procedures that require much time and money to complete.
In fact, it is believed that more than 30% of people save on dental costs because of preventive care as opposed to individuals who forgo regular treatment, as they see more than a 40% increase in dental expenses.
Waiting to see if your dental injury heals on its own is never a good idea, so if you’re wondering when you should see a dentist for emergency care, don’t wait to call. It is far better to receive help early on than wait until it progresses and must be saved with a root canal or tooth extraction.
When a dental emergency occurs, you want to know how to care for the problem while waiting to see a dentist, right? At Cochell Family Dentistry, we want you to feel confident and prepared should a sudden injury or nagging toothache keep you from your day-to-day obligations. As your emergency dentist in Salem, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions for you to review.
In nearly all dental emergency situations, we will be able to see you sooner and at a lower cost than a busy emergency room. Plus, most ERs aren’t equipped with the proper staff or tools to adequately treat dental emergencies. Instead, they’ll give you painkillers or antibiotics and instruct you to see a dentist. On the other hand, we can diagnose the extent of the issues, relieve your pain and protect your smile, all while identifying and addressing the underlying issue.
However, there are select times when a trip to the local emergency room is necessary. These include:
At Cochell Family Dentistry, we want everyone who walks through our doors to receive the care they need, especially when they need it most. If you’re facing a dental emergency and have not seen us previously for regular care, we will be happy to assist in helping you find relief and a solution to your problem.
We are happy to provide same-day care for emergency patients as often as possible. If you or your loved one is in need of our immediate help, we encourage you to call our dental office so that we can get you in quickly.
Yes, you should still plan to visit our dental office if you have a chipped tooth. Pain is only one possible symptom, but the damage incurred may extend to an area of your tooth that is not triggering discomfort. The only way to know if the innermost layer of your tooth is exposed is to have a member of our team examine it. While it is not necessary to seek same-day treatment, you should still plan to seek our help within a day or two to avoid further damage.
Whether it is pain resulting from a serious toothache or a knocked-out tooth, make sure to call our dental office and explain the situation to our team. Not only will we be able to walk you through the steps you need to take, but we can also advise on what you should do to deal with the pain. Oftentimes, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help to alleviate discomfort as well as a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling. Most of the time, Ibuprofen is a good choice for dental pain.
No, you should never use superglue to repair your broken prosthetics. Not only can it be extremely toxic because of the chemicals used, but it can lead to an allergic reaction. Also, it will negatively affect how food tastes and does not bond well when used in damp environments (i.e., your oral cavity).
No, you should never plan to pop a dental abscess on your own. In doing so, you will put your oral health at risk for serious infection and more extensive treatment. This type of dental emergency in Salem requires immediate attention and should not be avoided. If you wait to seek help, the infection can spread to other areas of your body (i.e., head, neck, throat) and cause serious problems for your overall health.
It’s important that you check with your dental insurance company to find out if and how much they will cover for emergency visits. Most insurance companies do agree to cover these types of services; however, there are some exclusions, so if you’re unsure, give us a call and a member of our team will be happy to review your policy to provide further explanation.
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