Emergency Dentist – Park Slope, NY
Urgent Dental Care in a High-Tech, Relaxing Office
No one ever expects a dental emergency to happen to them, but they’re much more common than you might have thought. In fact, one out of every six Americans will face one each year. When such an unexpected situation strikes, it’s important to know who you can reach out to for help. Your emergency dentist in Park Slope, Dr. Frank J. Sapienza, makes it a priority to see emergency patients as soon as possible. Plus, our spa-like office environment is much more soothing than a traditional dental practice, helping you achieve peace of mind during this stressful situation. If you find yourself with a sudden dental emergency, please give us a call.
Why Choose The Dental Spa of New York for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Weekend Hours Offered
- Numerous Services Under One Roof
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-Day Appointment: First, we will schedule an emergency appointment for you. Oftentimes, we can make arrangements to see you on the same day that you call so that you aren’t left waiting for the emergency care that your smile needs.
- Emergency Exam: When you get to our office, we’ll address your pain and carefully examine your mouth. By identifying the source of the problem, we can figure out the best way to deal with it.
- Review Findings: We’ll share the results of our examination with you, then walk you through your treatment options. When recommending a particular service, we will always be transparent regarding how much it will cost as well as how long it will take.
- Provide the Care You Need: After a treatment plan is agreed on, we can proceed with taking the necessary steps to address the issues in your mouth, stop your pain, and restore the health of your grin.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Sometimes, a dental emergency occurs out of nowhere, like if you sustain sudden trauma to the face or mouth. Other times, an emergency can develop over time, like in the case of a gradually worsening cavity. Whatever the case may be, our emergency dental office in Park Slope is prepared to handle everything. Below are some common dental emergencies that we can help with.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
If you need to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Park Slope, but you’re worried about the cost of your care, don’t worry – we’re here to help! Not only will we provide you with an estimate of the price at your consultation, but we will also discuss all of the financial solutions available, including dental insurance and flexible financing. If you’d like to learn more, simply read on or give us a call!
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
In short, there is no fixed cost of emergency dental care because treatment can vary wildly from patient to patient. In order to provide you with an estimate, we need to first determine the type of dental injury and the extent of the damage. Then, we need to review all of your treatment options and help you decide how you want to proceed. From there, we can create a custom treatment plan, provide you with an estimate of the cost, and review the financial solutions available.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Fortunately, many dental insurance providers cover a portion of the cost of essential restorative care as well as the cost of one emergency exam annually. Of course, every dental plan is different and there are often restrictions, like waiting periods and yearly maximums. So, if you need any help understanding your dental insurance benefits, don’t hesitate to let us know! We are in-network with a variety of popular PPO plans, including MetLife, Guardian, and Aetna PPO, and will handle all of the paperwork on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay – that’s where CareCredit comes in. With their payment plans, you don’t have to stress about paying for the entire cost of your care in one lump sum. Instead, you can break up the cost into smaller monthly chunks that work for you. Many of their options have little-to-no interest attached and signing up is easy. So, it’s convenient from start to finish!
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money – Here’s How
Cavities, gum disease, and several other serious oral health problems are largely preventable with the right best practices in place. That’s why we encourage our patients to adopt healthy habits, like brushing for two full minutes each morning and coming to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These may seem inconsequential, but they play a big role in keeping your smile healthy.
It’s also important that you contact us if you start to notice signs of trouble, like tender gums or pain when biting down. The longer you wait, the worse the root of the problem will get, and, in turn, the more costly it will be to treat. In other words, scheduling an exam sooner rather than later will benefit both your smile and your wallet.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can’t always predict when a dental injury in Park Slope is going to occur, there are a few ways you can greatly minimize your risk of experiencing one. Below, you will find a few precautions we recommend taking to protect your smile (and your wallet!) from harm.
Keep Up With Your Daily Dental Care Routine
To prevent plaque buildup (and the dental problems that come with it), you need to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen. The first step? Using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth every morning and evening. Then, incorporate flossing and rinsing with mouthwash into your nighttime dental care regimen. Habits like these may seem small, but they make a big difference when it comes to the health of your teeth and gums.
Visit Us Every Six Months for a Checkup and Cleaning
Biannual dental visits aren’t optional; they are crucial! At each appointment, Dr. Sapienza reviews your latest X-rays, conducts an oral cancer screening, examines the condition of any existing dental work, and looks at your teeth and gums. The goal? To catch decay, infections, chips, and other dental damage early on. If he does notice these or any other issues, he will bring it to your attention and review your treatment options.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Wearing a mouthguard during sports will reduce your risk of all kinds of dental injuries – from severe fractures to completely knocked-out teeth. That’s why it’s so important that you wear one, even during non-contact sports like jogging, riding your bike, and lifting weights.
Important note: If you grind or clench your teeth at night, wear a nightguard! This dental device will help protect your teeth from premature wear and tear.
Don’t Chew on Inedible Objects
Although it may seem harmless, habits like chewing on ice, your nails, or the back of your pen can lead to serious dental damage. For the same reason, we encourage our patients to steer clear of tobacco products and avoid using their teeth as tools to open things. Quitting may not be easy, but it will be well worth it.
Be Mindful of What You Eat
Hard pretzels, peanut brittle, and other extremely crunchy foods dramatically increase your risk of a chip, crack, or fracture. Similarly, snacks that are loaded with added sugar can quickly lead to tooth decay, especially if eaten in excess. That’s why it’s so important to be mindful of what you eat! To put it simply, sticking to healthy, well-balanced meals that are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients will benefit your oral and overall health.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
Even though a sore neck from a bad night’s sleep might go away on its own, dental issues usually do not magically disappear. Instead, untreated toothaches, oral infections, and other dental problems are likely to worsen over time and may even cause permanent damage. That is why it is so important that you immediately contact an emergency dentist in Park Slope whenever you suffer from a dental injury or infection. If you put off a visit to the dentist now in the hope that the problem will just go away, you may end up needing more extensive – and expensive – dental treatment in the future.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
In many cases, local emergency room staff may not have the specialized tools or knowledge to effectively respond to a dental emergency. For this reason, we recommend patients with a dental injury or infection contact an emergency dentist instead of heading to the nearest emergency room. If you do require medical attention, an experienced dentist will be able to quickly let you know after hearing about your specific circumstances.
Any life-threatening injuries, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or severe physical trauma such as a fractured or dislocated jaw should be first addressed medically at an emergency room or doctor’s office.
Which Over-the-Counter Pain Medication Should I Take?
Taking over-the-counter medication can help temporarily ease the pain caused by a dental emergency. If you have suffered cuts inside your mouth and are bleeding, choose acetaminophen over aspirin or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen does not thin the blood like these other common pain medications. Finally, remember that although over-the-counter pain medication can help, it is not a substitute for professional dental care. Even if painful symptoms subside for a few hours, you should still contact a dentist.
How Can I Prepare a Dental Emergency First Aid Kit?
Keeping a small first aid kit nearby can help you take action quickly in case of a dental emergency. This kit should be prepared specifically to address injuries to the mouth and can be stored in your car, at the office, or even in your purse. Here are the essential items for every dental emergency first aid kit:
- Latex-free gloves
- Travel-size bottle of painkillers
- Individually wrapped gauze pads
- Small container with a secure lid
- Saline rinse solution
- Contact information for an emergency dentist in Park Slope
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance plans provide some coverage for dental emergency situations. For example, dental insurance usually covers anywhere between 50% to 80% of the cost of root canal therapy or extractions. Both of these services are commonly associated with dental emergencies.
It’s important to note that every plan is different, so you should always check with your insurance provider before committing to treatment. Our team will be happy to help you understand your individual insurance coverage and maximize your benefits in the event of a dental emergency.