There are an estimated 2.1 million emergency dental visits each year; if you end up needing one, it’s vital that you have someone you can call right away for help. Dr. Weldon is trained to perform many different emergency dental services, allowing you to get the comprehensive treatment you need under a single roof. And when an emergency situation strikes, he’ll make time for you as soon as possible, so you don’t have to live with the pain or risk further injury a second longer than you need to thanks to emergency dentistry in Rome, GA. If you need urgent care for oral pain and damaged teeth, give Weldon Dental of Rome a call today.
Dental emergencies are often sudden, alarming, and somewhat scary. Thankfully, having an experienced dentist like Dr. Weldon and his team in your corner can take some of the anxiety out of these stressful situations. If you have a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is give us a call right away. From there, here’s how we will likely address your dental emergency:
While there are many different dental emergencies, most of them can either be attributed to an infection (most likely caused by not cleaning the mouth properly) or physical trauma of some kind. The later would include situations like broken or knocked-out teeth from sports injuries, while the later could include serious toothaches that may have gradually become worse with time. Regardless of which type of emergency you’re facing, we can give you first-aid instructions when you call our dental office. However, you should have a plan in place for dealing with common dental emergencies so that you’re prepared if they ever occur. Check out the tips below to give yourself a solid starting point in protecting your teeth and gums.
Have you ever experienced a dental emergency in Rome? Some aren’t entirely avoidable and happen accidentally, like when you trip and fall on the sidewalk. However, most dental emergencies are the result of untreated damage or infection, meaning they’re preventable. There are many ways you can reduce the risk of damaging your smile. At Weldon Dental of Rome, we want to help you protect your teeth and gums from harm, which is why we’ve compiled a list of steps you can take to avoid a trip to our emergency dentist.
If you’re not having problems with your mouth, you may not think it’s necessary to see a dentist. Well, that’s far from true. It’s incredibly important that you visit Dr. Weldon every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. During every appointment, he’ll professionally clean your teeth to remove tartar buildup and conduct an oral examination to ensure no problems are developing. With his help, you can address issues early on and keep them from turning into painful complications down the line.
A solid at-home oral hygiene routine can go a long way in maintaining a healthy smile. It’s essential to prevent harmful oral bacteria from accumulating and accelerating enamel deterioration, causing infections to develop. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash can spare you a trip to your emergency dentist’s office.
Believe it or not, your diet has a significant impact on oral health. Overindulging in sugary, acidic, or starchy foods can contribute to issues like decay and gum disease. Luckily, cutting down on your intake of those items and eating nutrient-rich foods (i.e., fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy products) will ensure your mouth remains in good condition.
Do you regularly play sports or grind your teeth at night? If so, you should ask Dr. Weldon about a custom-made oral device. An athletic mouthguard can protect your teeth and gums from any impact should you sustain a blow to the face. Meanwhile, a nightguard can keep your enamel safe from the force of grinding your teeth at night.
Some people use their teeth as a last-ditch effort to open a tough bottle or package. However, using your pearly whites for anything other than chewing food can easily land you in the waiting room of your emergency dentist’s office. To keep your smile safe, it’s best to wait until you have the right tool or ask someone to lend you a helping hand.
The emergency visit itself will be relatively inexpensive. As for the price of treatment, it will vary depending on what kind of procedure you need. Do you just need a filling or a custom dental crown? Can your tooth be saved with root canal therapy, or will it need to be extracted? Once we know what your treatment plan looks like, we can discuss the costs involved. We can also go over your estimated dental insurance coverage and your financing options to make your payment a little easier.
Dental emergencies can vary greatly in their nature and cost. One patient might need something simple, like a filling or prescription mouthwash. Another might require a complex procedure from their emergency dentist in Rome, such as root canal therapy and a crown. After we assess your needs, we will make a treatment recommendation and provide you with a cost estimate. We will also estimate the cost of sedation, if you would like to have that as part of your treatment. If more than one treatment might work for you, we will be sure to explain the pros, cons, and price of each option.
Many insurance policies cover at least a portion of the cost of emergency dentistry in Rome. It is common for plans to completely pay for one emergency exam each year. Beyond the exam, they may provide 50 – 80% covered for any recommended treatments (typically not including sedation). Because insurance policies can vary so greatly in their coverage, you can rely on our team to help you navigate your benefits, file your claims, and pay as little out of pocket as possible.
Beyond assisting you with insurance, our team offers another convenient provision that can help you afford emergency treatment: financing. We are partnered with CareCredit, a third-party lender that specializes in offering low-interest and no-interest payment plans. If you are approved for credit (most patients are), you may even be able to choose from a variety of plans according to what works best for your monthly budget. Also, keep in mind that we want to respect any financial concerns that you may have. At the beginning of your appointment, be sure to let us know about any worries you have regarding the cost of care. We will keep that in mind when we are designing your treatment plan. We might be able to adjust the materials or methods we use during your care with the goal of lowering your overall costs.
One of the best ways to save money on emergency dentistry is to avoid emergencies to the extent possible. If you ever suspect that something is wrong with one of your teeth, seek care sooner rather than later. Without treatment, an issue that begins as something minor could quickly escalate into a complex (and expensive) problem. You should also be diligent about attending preventive appointments. At checkups and cleanings, we look for signs of developing dental problems, coach you on proper at-home care, and thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. These seemingly simple services can do much to reduce the risk of future emergencies. Plus, many insurance companies cover the cost of these appointments at 100%.
It’s understandable if you have lots of questions either during or after a dental emergency occurs. Dr. Weldon is all too familiar with the concerns of his patients after they’ve dealt with a dental emergency, which is why our office has highlighted a few of the most common questions he’s received over the years. We encourage you to give them a quick read ahead of your next appointment with him as well as have any questions you may have ready when you arrive.
It is true that tooth enamel is in fact the hardest substance in the human body. Unfortunately, unlike other parts of the body, it won’t heal after it’s been damaged. This means once a tooth is chipped, whether it’s minor or severe, it will not grow back. Teeth can remineralize, but this is not the same thing as it growing back, especially when it’s been chipped or broken. Instead, you’ll need restorative or cosmetic dentistry to get it back to a healthy condition.
Restorations may feel secure when they’ve been reattached with over-the-counter dental cement or denture adhesive, but you can bet they won’t last for very long. In fact, a loose crown may only remain stable for as little as two to three days. That’s why, when a dental crown becomes loose, you’ll need to have it replaced. If a dental filling has become loose and fallen out, it will need to be replaced outright. However, dental crowns that are relatively new may only need to be reseated, rather than replaced entirely.
Throbbing or soreness from a tooth is likely a sign that it has become infected in some way. You may also notice a bitter taste in your mouth or chronic bad breath (even after brushing), both of which are signs that decay has developed. Other common symptoms of an infection include tooth sensitivity, loosening of the tooth, red or swollen gums, or draining sores on the gum tissue nearby the tooth. However, there’s no way to know for sure on your own. Only a dental professional, such as a dentist, can confirm if you have a tooth infection.
Contrary to popular believe, emergency dental exams themselves are not that expensive. What many people tend to confuse them with are the treatments necessary to address dental emergencies after they appear. Restorative services like root canal therapy and tooth extractions are where the bulk of your costs will come from, assuming you even need these treatments to manage your emergency symptoms. However, the worst thing you can do is put off necessary care because of cost because doing so only allows your dental emergency to get worse. This can in turn lead to higher costs overall. Those who do not have dental insurance coverage may experience higher fees, but Dr. Weldon will gladly go over your options to make care as affordable as possible.
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Weldon Dental of Rome can be found along Martha Berry Blvd NE, near the intersection of N 5th Ave and W 11th Street. We’re only minutes away from the Publix Super Market at Charles High Square, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and Heritage Park. If you see Divine Salon & Spa or The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, you’re in the right place! We can’t wait to welcome you in soon and help you get started on a brighter, healthier smile.
