Emergency Dentist Killeen

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

No matter what kind of dental emergency you experience or what kind of pain you might be feeling, call our office right away. We’ll make sure you are taken care of by:

• Scheduling your emergency visit – A member of our team will work quickly to identify a time you can come in and receive essential treatment. While waiting, we will provide safe and effective ways to manage the discomfort and reduce additional damage.
• Performing an emergency exam – Dental X-rays and a visual examination will be the first things we will perform when you arrive at our office. This will help us better understand the problem so that we can determine the appropriate form of treatment.
• Reviewing treatment options – Once we identify the issue, we will provide various treatment options and go over them with you so that you can be a part of the process of restoring your smile.
• Healing your smile – After giving us the green light to move forward, we will begin treating your injured smile so that you can walk away free of pain.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

It can be hard to determine when to see an emergency dentist in Killeen for immediate care. Some injuries are more serious than others (i.e., knocked-out tooth, loose permanent teeth), but how should you handle certain situations at home and when should you plan to see a professional? Below you can learn more about the most common dental emergencies we treat in our office.

Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, meaning you may not always have much room in your budget for treatment when you urgently need it. Unfortunately, however, because dental emergencies can be so varied in their scope and severity, it is impossible to charge a one-size-fits-all fee for care. Here’s a closer look at how we determine the cost of emergency dentistry in Killeen, and how you can make seeing your emergency dentist more affordable.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Just like no two smiles are exactly alike, neither are dental emergencies. Thus, the cost your emergency dentist in Killeen charges to treat your urgent dental problems will vary from patient to patient. In some cases, you may need a simple filling to restore your smile, while in others you may require a more extensive treatment like an extraction and tooth replacement later. The cost to treat each emergency will depend on your individual oral health, the nature of the problem, and which type of payment options are available for your care.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Typically, dental insurance will cover emergency care, but not completely and often only after you’ve met your deductible. You may also be required to pay a copay or a certain percentage of the total. Some newer dental insurance plans may also have a waiting period before they will cover certain treatments. Each of these factors will vary depending on the patient, which is why it’s important to verify your dental insurance coverage first. At Killeen Choice Dental, we’re happy to assist you with this.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

In addition to warmly welcoming many dental insurance plans and Medicaid and CHIP, at Killeen Choice Dental, we also proudly accept flexible financing from CareCredit, our preferred third-party lender. CareCredit can help make your emergency treatment more affordable by breaking up the cost of your care into multiple, low-to-no-interest monthly payments that may be better suited to your budget.

We also offer a money-saving $85 Limited Dental Emergency Visit which includes a comprehensive dental exam and X-rays.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Ultimately, one of the best ways to save money on emergency dental care in Killeen is to prevent urgent dental problems from occurring in the first place. Though there’s not always a way to stop every accident from happening, taking steps to protect your smile such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist every six months for your regular preventive dental exams and cleanings can help stop dental emergencies before they ever have a chance to harm your smile.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

While you may not be able to live in a padded bubble, you can take steps to reduce your chances of experiencing a dental emergency. Those that form because of poor oral hygiene or neglected professional care can be avoided by:

• Practicing regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing each day (often twice a day) to keep harmful germs and bacteria from causing cavities to form.
• Keeping up with your routine dental visits at Killeen Choice Dental. Our dentists and team will administer superior care using state-of-the-art technology to safeguard your smile.
• Wearing a custom mouthguard if you plan to play sports. A custom nightguard is also helpful if you are prone to grinding your teeth at night.
• Adopting a healthy diet that includes more protein, dairy, and fruits and vegetables, and less sugar and starch.
• Giving up bad habits that can damage your oral and overall health, like smoking and opening packages with your teeth.
  

Root Canal Therapy

The pulp is considered the central area of a tooth. When it becomes infected or damaged, pain is often the most common symptom because of the many nerves it contains. If decay or trauma negatively affects this area of your tooth, we will need to perform root canal therapy. By clearing diseased tissues and removing the pulp, we can alleviate the pain you’re experiencing and prevent the possibility of tooth extraction.

Tooth Extractions

Severe damage or decay can often be addressed with other restorative treatment options, like a dental crown or root canal. However, when these methods fail to deliver the kind of results our team desires, we will likely recommend tooth extraction. While it is never our goal to remove a natural tooth, it can be the only way to protect your oral health and minimize further damage to your remaining teeth. If you are recommended for this type of procedure, rest assured that we will take every precaution to ensure your safety and comfort.

Wisdom Teeth Removal

If you are between the ages of 16 and 25, you may notice that your third set of molars are trying to push through the gums. These “wisdom teeth” as they are more commonly known can be a nuisance since most people lack the necessary space for proper eruption. In a majority of cases, they remain impacted and cause much discomfort. Our team can address this problem with wisdom teeth removal. Whether they have partially erupted or are sitting below the gumline, we have the instruments and technology needed to remove these unnecessary teeth and give your mouth the space it deserves.