When faced with a dental emergency, it can be unnerving because of the sudden pain you may be experiencing. It can also cause you to panic if you don’t have dental insurance to help cover part of the cost. Before putting off necessary treatment because you don’t think you can afford it, an emergency dentist explains how you can get the immediate care you need using alternative payment solutions.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies can range in severity. Although some can cause immense pain, others may only prove slightly bothersome.
Dentists who offer emergency dentistry as part of their available services can often treat many of the most common dental injuries, some of which include:
- A cracked tooth
- A chipped tooth
- A knocked-out tooth
- Tooth sensitivity
- A lost dental crown or filling
- Jaw pain
- Severe toothaches
- Broken dentures or other prosthetics
- Gums, lips, or tongue lacerations
A good rule of thumb is if pain is evident or something doesn’t look or feel right inside your mouth, it’s always better to call and schedule an emergency dental appointment.
What If I Don’t Have Dental Insurance?
You may be tempted to disregard emergency treatment if you don’t have private dental insurance. While it is helpful to have a policy that provides partial coverage for the kinds of restorative care commonly used to treat dental emergencies (i.e., dental fillings, dental crowns, root canals, tooth extractions, etc.), there are other ways you can pay.
For example, many dental offices partner with third-party financing companies like CareCredit to make paying for necessary treatment more affordable.
You choose a low- or no-interest payment plan that aligns closely with your budget so that you can break up the total cost of treatment. Instead of paying it all upfront, out of pocket, you can divide it into manageable monthly installments and avoid any surprise fees.
Other potential budget-friendly options for emergency dentistry include researching various dental schools as well as government or charity clinics in your area that may offer free or low-cost treatment.
How Can I Avoid a Dental Emergency?
Some dental emergencies are unavoidable, but others tend to occur as a result of poor oral hygiene or unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you don’t have dental insurance and want to avoid visiting your emergency dentist, make sure that you:
- Adopt a good oral hygiene routine that removes bacteria and harmful food particles. This includes brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash as directed.
- Continue to see your dentist for twice-yearly checkups and cleanings.
- Wear appropriate mouth protection if you play sports or grind your teeth at night.
- Give up unhealthy habits like smoking or chewing on pencils.
- Never use your teeth to open a package or container.
- Incorporate healthy foods into your diet and limit the consumption of sugars and starches.
A dental emergency is alarming and unexpected, but it doesn’t have to be something you suffer with just because you don’t think you can afford treatment. By inquiring about alternative solutions to pay for your care, you can take better care of your oral health without emptying your wallet.
About the Practice
When experiencing a dental emergency, the team at Indy Dental Group in Indianapolis is here to provide timely and effective treatment. For uninsured patients, we offer flexible financing through CareCredit, so there is no need to worry about being able to pay for necessary services. Our team will identify ways to lower out-of-pocket expenses while making sure individuals receive immediate care to improve the health of their smile. If you have questions about our available payment options, contact us at (317) 846-6125.