Emergency Dentist — Lockport, IL
Urgent Dental Care When You Need It
Do you have major dental discomfort that’s interrupting your day-to-day routine? When oral health problems that require immediate treatment appear, no matter the level of severity, Grand Dental – Lockport is here to serve you and your loved ones. If you call our dental office, you’ll be warmly greeted by a team member who will work to get you penciled in for an appointment ASAP, often the same day you call! You can even reach us after hours and speak with a dentist to manage the situation ahead of your in-person visit.
Why Choose Grand Dental - Lockport for Emergency Dental Care?
- On-Call Dentist for Urgent Treatment
- In-House Sedation Options
- Saturday Appointments Available
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
The key thing to keep in mind when it comes to dental emergencies is that a little quick thinking and leaping into action is the best way to prevent lasting damage or consequences. For your peace of mind, here are a few easy-to-follow steps for handling dental emergencies:
- Give Us a Call – Even if you’re not sure how serious your situation is, you should call our office and describe it to us over the phone. We can quickly schedule an appointment for you and provide you with tips for addressing any discomfort you might be experiencing.
- Attend Your Visit – Once you’ve entered our office, treating your pain and getting your smile back on track is our top priority. We’ll perform an emergency exam, take X-rays if necessary, and determine what’s going on before reviewing a variety of possible treatment options.
- Get the Care You Need – We’ll help you decide on the best course of action before carrying out a customized treatment plan that fully eliminates any discomfort you’re feeling and ultimately resolves the issue at hand. Whether it’s a filling, crown, root canal, or something else entirely that you need, you’re in capable hands!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
No matter what type of dental emergency you’re experiencing, you shouldn’t hesitate to call us for assistance! Even something that seems small has the potential to worsen if left unattended, and that’s the last thing you should want to happen! Once you’ve described the symptoms you’re dealing with, we’ll be able to provide you with instructions for alleviating your pain. Here are some examples of common dental emergencies and some useful tips to keep in mind as you wait for your appointment.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
The bottom line is that dental emergencies can’t be entirely avoided. However, you can easily reduce your risk in several different ways. For example, you should always:
- Brush and floss your teeth every single day
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products
- Don’t bite into hard objects or chew on inedible objects
- Refrain from using your teeth as tools
- If you play contact sports, wear a protective mouthguard
- Visit us every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Before we can give you an estimated cost of emergency dentistry in Lockport, we will need to examine your mouth and confirm the problem first. From there, we’ll create a treatment plan and get you out of pain and on the road to recovery. Got a question during your exam? Please ask! We’re happy to provide you with answers, as well as suggest different financing options and even help you navigate the specifics of your dental benefits.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
You should not expect your dental emergency to cost the same as someone else’s. Why? Each situation is different. A lost dental crown will require a different approach to treatment than replacing a knocked-out tooth. Our team must evaluate your case and determine how to effectively address the problem using one of our available restorative options.
At Grand Dental – Lockport, our dentists believe in carefully examining each person’s injury before establishing a clear plan and cost estimate. Once we do, you can expect us to then sit down and go over the details as well as our available payment options.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Your dental insurance may cover up to 50-80% of your emergency dentistry expenses. Since these are often unexpected occurrences, your insurer can assist in lowering your out-of-pocket costs as long as you’ve met your deductible. Generally, minor restorative care, like dental fillings or simple tooth extractions, is covered at 80%, while major restorative services, like dental crowns, dental bridges, or dentures, are likely to be covered at %50.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you are without private dental insurance, do not avoid seeking treatment. You might assume you will be unable to afford care, but the truth is that Grand Dental – Lockport offers a Grand Advantage Plan as well as flexible financing.
With our in-house plan, you can receive a 20% discount on all eligible dental services after paying a yearly membership fee. If you would rather finance your treatment, you can enroll in a plan with CareCredit or Alphaeon Credit to help remain within your budget.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
It’s always best to take proper care of your smile if you want to save money; however, not all dental emergencies are avoidable. For those that are, though, like toothaches, sensitivity, and untreated gum disease, you can take extra precautions to safeguard your oral health and smile, including:
- Staying away/giving up bad habits (i.e., smoking, using tobacco products, excessive alcohol consumption, chewing on ice or inanimate objects, opening packages with tools, etc.).
- Practicing good oral hygiene at home, like brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice daily, as well as flossing and rinsing.
- Seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings every six months to ensure the health of your teeth and gums.
- Adopting a healthy diet that consists of nutritious foods that will lower your risk of dental decay and gum disease while also strengthening your enamel.
- Limiting your intake of sugars and starches, as these can cause cavities to form.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Emergency dentistry is an important component of any dental office. When patients experience serious oral injuries, it can lead to worsening symptoms and extensive problems throughout the mouth and body if left untreated. This is why our emergency dentist in Lockport is here to reassure individuals who entrust us with their smiles that the immediate attention they need can be found here at Grand Dental – Lockport. Below, patients can glean greater insight into various aspects of emergency dentistry. With answers to some of the most common questions asked by our patients, we invite everyone to review the following material and contact us with any additional concerns.
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
When a tooth begins to throb, it is usually because there is an infection or inflammation within the tooth structure. When a cavity or crack forms, air and bacteria can easily enter, resulting in increased sensitivity to the inner area (the pulp). The result is often significant pain and irritation as well as a potential infection that requires extensive treatment. Another solution for throbbing tooth pain is bruxism, also known as teeth grinding and clenching.
Can I Fix Dentures That Are Broken in Half?
No, it is impossible to fix dentures that are broken in half. The only way to accomplish this is with the help of a skilled prosthodontist. However, an individual will most likely need to have the denture replaced if it sustains this type of damage. Should this occur at home, at the office, or another location, make sure to call our dental office right away. This type of dental emergency in Lockport requires attention, but in the meantime, individuals are free to wear a spare denture if one is available at home.
What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?
The biggest culprit of jaw pain is chronic bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), as it places added stress on the jaw joints. It can also be the result of facial trauma or arthritis. Another possible reason for jaw pain is a misaligned bite. When this occurs, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) can become inflamed, resulting in what is known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Because it affects the joints that connect to the base of the skull, the only way to diagnose the problem and receive appropriate treatment is to meet with our dental team. We’ll develop a treatment plan that meets your needs and help you achieve long-term relief.
How Long Can a Restoration Be Temporarily Attached?
It may only remain stable for a few days, which is why it must be replaced by a skilled dentist. Should a person lose a filling, they will need to avoid trying to reinsert the restoration, as only a dental professional can do it. A dental crown, however, can be re-bonded temporarily, but it’s necessary to avoid chewing on that side of the mouth until a dentist creates a new crown.