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What would you do if you suddenly cracked your tooth or woke up with an intense toothache? When you’re dealing with a dental emergency, acting quickly and correctly can sometimes make all the difference in protecting your smile from permanent damage. However, you may find yourself hesitating or second-guessing yourself if you’re worried about how much immediate dental care will cost you. Your South Austin emergency dentist shares what to keep in mind if you’re wondering if dental emergencies are expensive.

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE COST OF DENTAL EMERGENCIES

No two dental emergencies are the same, and neither are their price tags. The cost of your emergency treatment will depend on several important factors, like:

• Severity of the issue: Small problems are less expensive to fix than large ones. For example, a chipped tooth or mild dental pain may only need a dental filling or bonding. However, issues like intense toothaches or severely broken teeth may require custom restorations or oral surgery, which will cost more.
• Follow-up treatments: Some treatments will require a follow-up appointment. For instance, after a root canal is performed, you’ll need to return later to have a dental crown placed over the treated tooth to strengthen it. This will inevitably raise the cost of your dental emergency.
• Dental insurance: If you have dental insurance, your dentist and their team will do everything they can to help you maximize your benefits. Alternatively, many practices offer third-party financing options that allow you to pay your expenses over the span of several months instead of all at once.

THE DANGERS OF POSTPONING EMERGENCY TREATMENT

If you are concerned about the cost, you may be tempted to put off seeking dental care. However, if you avoid getting the treatment you need now, it’s likely it will eventually cost you:

• Worsening conditions: Unlike other parts of your body, your teeth can’t heal themselves. Overtime, your small dental issue may transform into a serious oral health problem like broken teeth, gum disease, or a dental infection.
• Extensive and expensive treatment: The more severe a dental issue is, the more time, materials, and expertise will be needed to treat it. It’s very likely that you’ll need a more invasive and costly treatment than if the problem had been caught earlier.
• Permanent damage: If a damaged or infected tooth is left untreated for too long, you may suffer from tooth loss, permanent jawbone damage, and an increased risk of systemic health conditions like heart disease.

INVEST IN YOUR SMILE WITH ROUTINE CHECKUPS

Although it may seem like you’re saving money by skipping your routine dental checkups, you could end up paying much more down the road. Visiting your dentist twice a year allows them to search for any early warning signs of oral health issues that you can’t see or feel yet. These preventive visits are typically covered by insurance and are much less expensive than treating a serious oral health issue. However, if you do find yourself with a dental emergency, your South Austin dentist will work with you to keep the costs as low as possible.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Dental Centre in South Austin, TX is proud to offer late evening hours to provide excellent dental care when you need it most. Dr. Jack Fan has several years of experience treating a wide variety of dental emergencies with state-of-the-art technology and modern techniques. If you are feeling overwhelmed, whether you’re undergoing a planned treatment or in need of urgent dental care, he is able to provide sedation dentistry options to help you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Please contact him right away if you are in pain via his website or at (512) 361-4288.