Emergency Dentistry - Greybull, WY
24/7 Emergency Care For Dental Injuries & Pain
Dental emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, which is why it’s so important to already have a trusted oral healthcare team in your corner. When you call Greybull Dental for help, the voice you’ll hear on the other end will always be Dr. Tate Anderson, Dr. Lance Anderson, or one of our team members. Your wellbeing is our top priority – that’s why we’re available 24 hour a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Why Choose Greybull Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments & True 24/7 Care
- Fast Repairs and Relines For Dentures
- State-Of-The-Art Digital Technology for Superior Diagnostics & Comfort
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
There are two major categories of dental emergencies. First, there are physical accidents and trauma like being hit in the face with a ball during a sporting event or tripping down the stairs at work. Second, there are emergencies caused by oral healthcare neglect at home, often leading to a “toothache” and general infection. Here in Greybull, our dentists are fully capable of handling a wide scope of scary situations, from minor cracks to full-blown tooth loss.
Dental Accidents & Facial Trauma
When physical accidents strike, patients may be left with severe cracks/fractures, partially dislodged teeth, or teeth that have knocked out of the mouth entirely. If you want to preserve the natural dental structure, time is truly of the essence. In fact, just 30 minutes can often be the difference between saving a natural tooth and losing it for good. After contacting our dental office immediately, follow these steps to improve preservation:
- ONLY touch the dislodged tooth by the white crown, never the root
- Gently rinse the crown to dislodge any dirt or debris
- Try to place the tooth back into its original socket very gently and hold it in place by biting down
- If you are unable to put the tooth back in place, a good alternative is to carry it in a container of milk or seawater so that it stays moist
Dental Emergencies Due to Oral Care Neglect
If you are experiencing an excessive amount of pain and sensitivity in a specific area of the mouth, it’s likely that an advanced infection is raging beneath the tooth enamel. Another possible explanation is that there’s a piece of food or other foreign debris lodged against the gum tissue; flossing and rinsing thoroughly should take care of the problem. If you’ve followed these steps and the discomfort hasn’t subsided, contact our dental office right away. While it is safe to take a painkiller (such as Aspirin) in the interim, do NOT place it directly against the gum tissue – you may inadvertently cause more damage.
Unparalleled Experience & Qualifications
At Greybull Dental, our team knows how crucial it is to find emergency relief now, not in a few more days or weeks when your chosen dental office finally has time to squeeze you in. That’s why our dentists are 100% committed to providing true 24/7 urgent care when you and your loved ones need it most. We also use state-of-the-art technology to ensure a precise and comfortable diagnostic experience, including digital X-rays and 3D Cone Beam imaging.
Same-Day Denture Repairs and Relines
Of course, natural teeth aren’t the only components of your smile that can be in need of emergency dentistry. If you or a loved one currently wear a denture, these custom prosthetics can also become damaged or worn-down over time, leading to uncomfortable and embarrassing consequences. Patients may even find it hard to chew favorite foods and speak clearly. At Greybull Dental, our dentists can repair or reline dentures for patients on very short notice, so don’t hesitate to contact us right away.
Emergency Care for Big Horn & Park County
Ideally, we hope that all of our patients will never need to reach out for emergency dentistry. That’s why our team is always happy to share the value of preventive dentistry, including regular checkups and professional cleanings on a biannual basis. Additionally, if you play sports that involve the possibility of physical contact, it’s a very good idea to regularly use a custom mouthguard for protection while on the court or field.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Before we are able to outline the details of your emergency treatment, we need to find out how to fix the issue that’s causing you pain or discomfort. We won’t be able to do this till we’ve conducted a thorough exam of your mouth. Based on our findings, we can then outline a custom treatment plan for you and determine the expected cost. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly team members.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
The cost of your emergency treatment will vary on numerous factors, but your initial visit is actually relatively inexpensive. During this appointment, we will take the time to assess your oral health and determine what treatment is necessary. Until you come to the practice to have the issue examined, it’s nearly impossible to predict the overall cost. Some of the more common solutions to dental emergencies includes:
- Root canal therapy
- Extractions
- Dental crowns
- TMJ treatment
- And more!
Our friendly dental team will thoroughly explain our findings, recommended treatment plan, and estimated cost so you aren’t met with any unnecessary surprises.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In most cases, dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for dental emergency situations. In some plans, one yearly emergency exam is fully covered, while common services associated with tooth pain, like root canal therapy and extractions, can receive partial coverage (anywhere between 50-80%). Just remember that every plan is different and yearly maximums usually come into effect. Before committing to treatment, confirm what’s covered with your insurance company. We are in-network with most major PPO plans, and our team is happy to handle the process of filing claims.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you’re completely out of luck. We work with CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of treatment into manageable monthly installments with little-to-no interest. This way, you can care for your smile without stressing over a big bill.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Not all dental emergencies are in your control, but some can be prevented by taking extra steps when it comes to your oral care. Always be on the lookout for changes in your mouth. New oral pain or visible changes can indicate that there’s an issue that needs to be addressed. By taking care of dental problems right away, you can prevent them from becoming serious and turning into an emergency situation. The longer that you wait, the more the problem is likely to cost. For instance, by seeing us for root canal therapy now to treat an infected tooth, you may be able to avoid the cost and hassle of needing an extraction and tooth replacement later on. In the end, you can save time, discomfort, and money!
Dental emergencies can happen out of the blue, so we’re always here to help. By giving us a call, we can help navigate the cost of your treatment and work towards restoring your smile to health!
Dental Emergency FAQs
You’re bound to be frightened and under a lot of stress during a dental emergency, so the fewer questions you have to ask, the better. Dr. Tate Anderson and Dr. Lance Anderson are always happy to answer any dental questions you might have; feel free to voice any concerns you have about potential emergencies during your next appointment, or get in touch with one of our knowledgeable team members. The below FAQs cover some important information that we want all of our patients to be aware of long before they need to make an emergency call.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First?
You should only call the emergency room for a dental emergency that could potentially be considered life-threatening. This generally covers jaw fractures and dislocations, serious facial or oral lacerations, and infections or abscesses that are swollen to the point that they impede your ability to breathe or swallow. For less urgent dental problems, however, it’s better to get in touch with an emergency dentist first. Emergency rooms just aren’t equipped to be able to address issues such as broken or missing teeth; you need to see a dental expert such as Dr. Tate or Dr. Lance who are able to get to the root of the problem right away.
Can I Wait for My Toothache to Go Away on Its Own?
If a toothache involves pain around the tooth, it could go away on its own. An example might be irritated gum tissue around the tooth in question. But when it comes to pain within the tooth itself, you generally shouldn’t expect it to get better; in fact, in many cases it will get worse until you have it treated. There are several potential causes for a toothache, not the least of which is an infection of the pulp that could eventually lead to tooth loss. That’s why it’s important to have a toothache evaluated before it turns into a more serious situation.
My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Is It Still an Emergency?
Even if dental damage doesn’t cause any pain, the inner area of the tooth might have been exposed, thus opening up the possibility of infection. You won’t be able to evaluate the full extent of the damage on your own, so you should schedule an emergency appointment as soon as you can. If there’s no pain, you might be able to wait a day or two, but you shouldn’t delay your visit too much; without professional attention, chipped teeth can break even further.
Is It Okay to Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water?
It’s important to keep a knocked-out tooth moist in order to preserve the living cells on the root surfaces. However, it’s not recommended that you put the tooth in water to do so. This could actually end up damaging the roots and make it less likely that we’ll be able to replant it. Your best option is usually either to place the tooth back in the open socket or to place it in milk or a saline solution for up to one hour.