Dental emergencies do not feel compassion, they strike without warning, and they do not fight fair. Accordingly, they often strike people who are uninsured or underinsured, which can make it difficult for them to get the care they need to relieve their pain and preserve their oral health. Here’s a brief guide to how you can get emergency dental care without insurance.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies happen when an oral health problem requires immediate treatment to prevent further damage and restore the comfort of the patient. A few examples include:
- A throbbing toothache
- A dislodged tooth
- A loose adult tooth
- A fractured tooth
- Severe oral infections like dental abscesses
- Minor lacerations of the mouth’s soft tissues
How Can My Dentist Treat These Issues?
The best way to address your dental emergency depends on the nature and severity of the problem. For example, teeth that are severely infected or damaged may require root canal treatments to resolve pain and prevent their loss. If your dentist gets to your dislodged tooth soon enough, they may be able reimplant it in the gum tissue. In many cases, damaged teeth can be repaired with fillings or dental crowns, but it will be necessary to extract a tooth if it cannot be saved to prevent further infections.
What if I Don’t Have Insurance?
It’s still possible to get high-quality dental care if you don’t have insurance. Many dental offices offer in-house membership plans that include significant discounts for preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency procedures for a small annual fee. These plans usually allow patients to add family members for only a little more money yearly, and the discounts these plans offer can save a patient thousands of dollars.
Many offices also offer financing options that break patients’ bills into small monthly payments that can be easily managed. This can make it much easier for many families to fit needed emergency dental care into their budgets.
Don’t let a dental emergency diminish the long-term health and beauty of your smile. Knowing what your dentist offers can help you get the care you need to relieve your pain and get back to normal life.
About the Author
Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj earned his dental degree from the Loyola University College of Dental Surgery and maintains state-of-the-art facilities so his patients can receive the best dental care possible. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, and his offices in Downers Grove and Lemont offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact his office online.