Emergency Dentist Riverdale Park
When an Injury Occurs, You Can Count on Us
Are you dealing with a dental injury but are unable to get the immediate care you need? At My Riverdale Dentist, this is a concern you do not need to worry about. We are pleased to offer same-day appointments for emergency patients, which means all you need to do is call. Our emergency dentists and team in Riverdale Park are experienced in treating all types of serious dental injuries, so you can remain confident that we will not only help you out of pain quickly but also restore your smile to its former, undamaged beauty.
Why Choose My Riverdale Dentist for Emergency Dentistry?
- Dentists Provide Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Innovative Dental Technologies Right at Our Fingertips
- In-House Membership Plan Available for Uninsured Dental Patients
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Broken or Chipped Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Interested in Improving My Smile I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I Want a Straighter Smile I am Worried About Gum Disease I Want to Learn More About Sleep View Our Services
How to Handle Emergencies
No matter the type of dental emergency you are facing, we are here to provide the immediate care and treatment you need. Although each injury is different, the same steps are followed to ensure we remain thorough in our pursuit of restoring your damaged smile.
- Call to Schedule an Emergency Visit: When calling to let us know about your injury, a member of our staff will find a time for you to come in on the same day and be seen by one of our talented team members. We’ll also provide helpful first-aid guidance so that you can better manage any pain while waiting at home.
- Receive a Thorough Dental Exam: You can expect to have digital X-rays taken of your mouth as well as a visual examination performed by a member of our team. This will allow us to clearly identify the problem area and work quickly to alleviate any pain.
- Development of a Treatment Plan: Once you are more comfortable, we will go over our findings with you and discuss the type of treatment plan we believe you will need to improve the health and aesthetics of your smile.
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Receive First-Rate Care: Depending on the service(s) you will need to address your injured smile, we will suggest either moving forward on the same day or returning at a later date. This may be necessary if the proposed treatment is considered timelier and more invasive.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
There are many different types of dental emergencies. While some require immediate care (a knocked-out tooth), others may not need same-day treatment (i.e., a soft tissue injury or lost dental filling). At My Riverdale Dentist, though, we want you to have peace of mind, which is why we encourage you to call our office if you are in pain or notice something “off” about your teeth or gums. Below is a list of the most common dental emergencies we treat.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
As your dental team, our goal is to be just a phone call away, especially when you need us most. With that said, we also know how painful even relatively mild dental injuries can be. That’s why we also want to help you protect your smile and, in the process, avoid needing emergency care. We recommend:
Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
Oftentimes, patients chalk routine dental visits up to just a quick sweep for cavities. The truth is that we cover a lot of ground during your appointments, from screening for oral cancer and examining the condition of existing dental work to removing built-up plaque. Plus, if any dental issues do arise, we can catch (and treat!) them in the early stages, lowering your chances of needing emergency dentistry in the process.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, you also need to take good care of your smile at home. That starts with brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening (time yourself – it may be longer than you think!). At least once a day, you should also floss, rinse with mouthwash, and clean your tongue.
Tip: Replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every 3-4 months. That way, you’re using new, clean bristles instead of dirty, frayed ones.
Eat Healthy, Well-Balanced Meals
Eating healthy, well-balanced meals that are filled with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will help keep your enamel strong and your gums infection-free. It’s also important to limit your intake of cavity-causing foods, like caramel-filled candies, potato chips, and lollipops, especially if you want to avoid a last-minute visit to our emergency dental office in Riverdale Park.
Wear a Mouthguard While Active
Whether you enjoy playing pickleball with your friends on the weekend or you prefer a solo sport, like running, you need to wear a mouthguard. That said, you shouldn’t buy a one-size-fits-all one online since they can be quite uncomfortable (not to mention a choking hazard). Instead, we recommend coming to our office so your emergency dentist can have a custom one made for you.
Break Harmful Habits
Last, but certainly not least, you need to break harmful habits. While your mind may immediately go to smoking, that’s not the only thing that could jeopardize the health of your smile. We also advise against biting your nails, using your teeth as tools to open things, and chewing on ice cubes!
Tip: If you’ve had trouble quitting harmful habits like these in the past, don’t hesitate to let us know. That way, we can share recommendations and resources that have worked for our patients over the years!
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
We know that many patients are curious about the cost of emergency dentistry in Riverdale Park. However, there isn’t a flat fee, so we can’t provide you with a price online. We can, however, share the factors that play a role, whether dental insurance usually covers a portion of the cost, and other helpful information on the topic. So, don’t hesitate to read on if you want to learn more!
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
As we mentioned above, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all cost. After all, the kind of services required to address a knocked-out tooth are likely to be very different than those that are recommended for a lost dental crown or filling. So, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam once you arrive at our office. From there, we can discuss the proposed costs as well as the various ways you can pay for treatment.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance providers often cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care as well as one emergency exam per year. With that said, plans vary from patient to patient. The best thing to do is to read through the fine print on your plan, looking for waiting periods, annual maximums, and other restrictions in the process. Since we are in-network with several popular providers, including Assurant and Careington, we can assist with the process of understanding and utilizing your available benefits as well.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Fortunately, there are several other ways you can make the price more affordable, like:
- Signing Up for Flexible Financing – With CareCredit, you can break up the total cost of your treatment into smaller, more manageable chunks.
- Joining Our Membership Club – This comes with several benefits, including one covered emergency exam per year, if needed.
- Taking Advantage of Our Specials – Throughout the year, we offer periodic specials, like a $59 emergency exam.
If you’d like more details on these financial solutions, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team!
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Fortunately, chipped teeth, broken restorations, and other common dental injuries are largely preventable. The key is incorporating good habits into your routine, like brushing and flossing consistently at home. You should also avoid doing anything that jeopardizes the health of your teeth and gums, like chewing on ice cubes or filling up on sugary sweets.
Important reminder: If you suspect that something is wrong, whether it’s because your gums are bleeding or it hurts to chew, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, call our office ASAP to schedule an exam. That way, we can determine what the root of the problem is as well as the best way to treat it.