When an emergency strikes, you know to call 911 or go to the hospital. However, when a dental emergency appears, it can be hard to know who to call or even if you should. Even if you have the slightest concern that your smile is in trouble, whether you’re experiencing tooth discomfort, oral injury, or something else, call us! Even if you call after hours, stay on the line to hear our after-hours business number. At Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S., our top priority is getting you out of pain and preventing your dental emergency from getting worse! Contact our dental office right away for emergency dentistry in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
Emergency Dentist Rancho Bernardo
Why choose Nelson Y. Howard, D.D.S. for emergency dentistry?
After-Hours Phone Number for Dental Emergencies
Calming Sedation Options for Anxious Patients
Team That Takes Time to See You the Same Day
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-Day Emergency Appointment: Upon receiving your call, we’ll ask about your situation and give you any necessary first-aid tips. Then we’ll schedule an emergency appointment for you. In many cases, we’ll be able to see you on the same day that you call us.
- Emergency Exam: At your emergency appointment, we’ll take any necessary X-rays of your mouth and take a close look at your teeth and gums. Our goal will be to determine what the cause of your dental emergency is as well as how much damage has already been done.
- Review Findings: Once we’ve completed our examination, we’ll share the results with you. Then, when you have a full understanding of what’s going on inside your mouth, we’ll explain your options for treatment as well as how long they can be expected to take and how much they’ll likely cost.
- Get Your Smile the Care It Deserves: Our team will carry out the agreed-upon treatment plan and take whatever steps are necessary to stop your dental pain and restore your oral health.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies generally occur in two different ways. There are long-term dental issues that suddenly cause discomfort (such as a cavity or dental infection) and then there are oral injuries that occur due to physical trauma. Both of them can be treated at our dental office when you call. Here are some examples of emergencies that we can help with.
- Toothaches
- Chipped Tooth
- Cracked Tooth
- Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
- Knocked-Out Tooth
- Lost Filling or CrownBroken Denture
- Loose Tooth
- Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury
- Jaw Pain or Clenching
- Something Stuck Between Teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
Many dental emergencies come with their own unique costs, which is why the best way to know for sure how much you can expect to pay for treatment is by visiting our dental office for care. After all, dental emergencies do not get better on their own, so not seeking treatment will only allow the problem to worsen, resulting in higher overall costs. Regardless, we’re happy to help you build a treatment plan that fits within your budget and offer third-party financing if necessary.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies can happen out of nowhere, there are ways to reduce your risk of experiencing them. For example, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day can prevent a wide variety of dental concerns. However, it’s also important to never use your teeth as a tool (such as for opening packages or bottles), always avoid biting your nails or on pens and pencils, and use caution when chewing certain hard foods. Avoid crunching ice cubes as well. Finally, if you aren’t already scheduling routine visits at our dental office every six months, doing so can greatly reduce your risk for dental emergencies.
Root Canal Treatment
In some cases, your dental emergency may require root canal treatment, a common procedure used to treat infections in the pulp of teeth. Please keep in mind that you will be completely comfortable during the entire procedure after receiving local anesthesia, ensuring your treatment feels hardly any different than receiving a dental filling. If you don’t undergo root canal treatment when you need it, the infection inside your tooth will continue to grow, develop, and possibly involve neighboring teeth.