As we all know, accidents can happen no matter how careful and diligent you are. When they happen to your teeth, it can be especially stressful. A dental emergency is something that simply can’t wait to be treated, so when you need to get care fast, you can always call Strohman Dental. As soon as you call, Dr. Shelly Strohman and our team will leap into action and make an appointment to see you quickly — often even on the same day!
We typically handle dental emergencies with the following four-step process:
There are a number of circumstances that qualify as a dental emergency. They can be quite scary and painful, but it is important that you stay calm and handle the situation with a level head. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, be sure to call us immediately.
Even if you’re currently dealing with an urgent dental problem, it’s important to know how much your treatment will cost before you commit to it. An estimate can only be given after we have completed our initial examination; we need to know exactly what your needs are and what procedures are required before we can give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay. If the treatment in question is covered by your insurance, we will file the necessary claims for you.
It’s better to prevent an emergency from occurring in the first place than it is to try and manage it once the damage has already been done. You can often avoid serious dental issues by visiting our office twice a year for checkups. It’s also a good idea to adopt habits that improve oral health, such as eating a balanced diet and limiting your exposure to sugar.
Do you still have questions about emergency dentistry? Dr. Strohman, your emergency dentist, has taken the liberty of answering some of the most common questions we get about dental emergencies. If you’re dealing with an emergency situation, or you have a question that isn’t answered somewhere on this page, then give us a call and ask .
Your first instinct in a dental emergency might be to contact your local hospital instead of our office. However, most emergency rooms don’t have a dentist on staff. While they may be able to prescribe antibiotics or pain medication, they often can’t address the root of the problem like Dr. Strohman and the rest of our team can. For the vast majority of dental emergencies, you’re better off calling us to schedule an appointment right away. On the other hand, if you have a life-threatening emergency such as a broken jaw, profuse bleeding, or extreme swelling, then you should head to the emergency room instead.
Because dental emergencies can vary wildly, it’s nearly impossible to discern the cost of treatment without first examining your mouth. In most cases, your insurance will cover at least the partial cost of treatment, but it’s difficult to say for sure one way or the other without first coming in for an appointment. At your visit, Dr. Strohman will carefully and thoroughly examine your mouth and determine what treatment is necessary. From there, our experienced and friendly team will do our best to minimize the amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Believe it or not, root canal therapy is actually one of the most common ways of treating a severe toothache. A root canal is required when decay or damage reaches the delicate center of the tooth (called the pulp), where the nerve is located. While this procedure, in which the damaged pulp is removed, has a daunting reputation, the truth is that you have nothing to worry about. Before the treatment begins, you’ll be numbed up with a local anesthetic. In fact, the pain so often associated with root canals typically comes from the toothache that warrants the procedure in the first place.
The easiest way to prepare for a situation like this is to create a dental emergency kit. This kit can be placed in your desk drawer at work, the glove compartment of your car, or even your purse. It should contain the following items:
Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Sedation Options Advanced Technology Children’s Dentistry TMJ Therapy View Our Services