Emergency Dentistry – Monroe, LA
Prompt, Expert Care for Hurting Smiles
Dental emergencies are impossible to see coming, and when one occurs, it brings the rest of your day’s plans to a screeching halt. That’s why Dr. John J. Roberson does everything he can to see emergency patients as expediently as possible. Our team will not only relieve your pain, but treat the issue directly in order to prevent it from returning. If you or a loved one is experiencing a toothache, broken tooth, or other urgent dental problem, call us for the prompt, expert care you need with emergency dentistry in Monroe, LA!
Why Choose John J. Roberson, DDS for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- We Welcome New & Existing Patients
- Relaxing Dental Office Equipped with the Latest Technology
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
In a dental emergency, the first thing you should do is call our dental office. Then, our team will take it from there by:
- Scheduling your same-day appointment – As soon as you get in touch with us, we’ll do our utmost to get you seen later that very day. We can also provide tips over the phone to help you manage your symptoms until you reach our dental office.
- Completing an emergency exam – Once you arrive, Dr. Roberson will perform an exam and capture any necessary X-rays. This allows him to determine the cause and severity of your emergency. We can also get you out of any immediate pain.
- Reviewing our findings – After the exam, Dr. Roberson will share his findings with you so that you fully understand what is going on with your oral health. From there, our team will create a customized treatment plan that includes estimates for cost and a detailed timeline.
- Giving you the care you need quickly – No matter what treatment you need, we’ll focus on addressing the issue as efficiently as possible. Once you’ve approved of our recommended treatments, we can begin healing your smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Even if your broken or hurting tooth doesn’ t seem “ that bad, ” you should still give us a call just to be safe. After all, we can often prevent a minor issue from becoming worse later on. Definitely call us if you find yourself with any of the most common types of dental emergencies, which include:
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The last thing you need in a dental emergency is the added stress of worrying about the overall cost. First and foremost, our team will make sure to alleviate any pain or discomfort, ensuring you’ll have a clear head when we discuss the price of your treatment. The cost of emergency dentistry in Monroe can vary based on the specifics of your situation, but no matter what, we’ll come up with a plan to make your care as affordable as possible. Read on to learn more about what to expect when paying for emergency care, or give us a call if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Every urgent dental situation will vary from patient to patient. For this reason, we won’t be able to provide you with a cost estimate until you’ve visited us for an oral examination. During this appointment, we’ll evaluate the extent of the damage and create a detailed treatment plan to get your specific smile back on track with good oral health. We’ll also walk you through the best procedures to help you, as each will have its unique price range.
For instance, if you arrive with dental sensitivity, our team will likely be able to address it with a tooth filling. If you’re suffering from a chronic, severe toothache, then you may need to undergo root canal therapy and receive a dental crown. Of course, this will require you to pay more upfront.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Many dental insurance companies are willing to cover a certain percentage of the cost of urgent care. Most will typically offer to pay for one necessary emergency dental exam each year. They’ll also tend to provide around 50-80% coverage of the cost of procedures associated with emergency dentistry, such as root canals, dental crowns, and extractions. Keep in mind that every policy is unique, meaning you’ll need to verify the details of your insurance plan before committing to any treatments. You can even speak with our friendly and knowledgeable team so that we can help you make the most of your benefits.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Even if you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean you’ll be left completely on your own. Our team understands how important it is to be able to afford the essential procedures that will help preserve good oral health. We are proud to work with CareCredit—a third-party financier that can help split up the overall cost of your treatments into more manageable monthly installments. On top of that, many of their plans also come with little to no interest. You’ll be able to afford emergency dental care without having to worry about breaking the bank!
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While dental emergencies aren’t always predictable or avoidable, many of them can develop due to untreated infection or damage. This means that by scheduling routine dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist every six months, you can probably save hundreds of dollars per year on urgent dental care. For this reason, you should visit your emergency dentist as soon as you realize that something is off with your oral health. With early preventive measures, you’ll be able to avoid needing more extensive, invasive, and costly treatments in the long run.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
If you want to keep your smile free from harm, you’d do well to take a few proactive measures against dental emergencies. Fortunately, several of the best practices we recommend are simple too, which makes them easier to incorporate into your day-to-day life! So, keep reading to learn a few ways you can help protect your smile from a serious dental injury.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
One of the biggest reasons you need to prioritize your six-month dental checkups and cleanings is because it allows our Monroe dentist to catch oral health problems in the early stages. If you skip these appointments, any existing cavities or infections can progress unchecked, leaving you vulnerable to a number of dental emergencies. So, if you’re overdue for your biannual visit, don’t wait any longer – get your next appointment on the calendar today.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Brushing and flossing consistently won’t just prevent stubborn surface stains from forming; they will also help avoid decay and infections from developing. Cavities and gum disease are two common oral health issues that can increase your risk of a loose permanent tooth, inflamed gums, and other serious problems. That’s why it’s so important that you commit to a solid oral hygiene routine at home that includes everything from brushing twice a day to rinsing with mouthwash regularly.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
In short, it’s not just about keeping your teeth and gums healthy from the outside-in. To provide your body with the nutrients it needs to keep your smile happy, you need to fill your plate with vitamin-rich foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables. We also recommend not biting down on hard substances, like ice cubes and popcorn kernels. These are two of the most common ways patients crack a tooth, which can be quite painful and requires a same-day visit to our office for treatment.
Wear a Mouthguard
Mouthguards aren’t just for kids! If you participate in sports (especially a contact sport), then we can make a custom mouthguard for you so you’re much less likely to knock out a tooth. Note: this small device can also be extremely helpful in preventing premature wear and tear from chronically grinding your teeth at night.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Have you ever used your teeth to tear off a tag, open a bag of chips, or take the cap off of a bottle? If the answer is yes, then consider yourself lucky and don’t tempt fate again! Using your teeth as tools may seem convenient in the moment, but it can result in a serious chip or fracture that’s stressful (and potentially costly) to correct.
Dental Emergency FAQs
A dental emergency can often be unsettling, especially if it happens when you least expect it. And if you’ve never experienced one before, the whole ordeal may seem overwhelming for you. However, by being prepared and well-informed about these situations, you’ll be more likely to handle them with ease. To help you, our team has taken the time to compile and answer several of the most commonly asked questions our emergency dentist in Monroe—Dr. Roberson—gets from his patients about urgent dental circumstances. Read on or give us a call today to learn more!
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
Are you experiencing a throbbing or persistent toothache? This can be a sign of inflammation or infection within your tooth. Whenever there’s a cavity in your smile, it can allow air and harmful bacteria to access the sensitive inner layers. This can result in irritation and possible infection of the pulp nerves. A throbbing toothache can also be caused by decay or chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching. In any case, it’s best to visit our team right away if you have concerns about the condition of your smile.
Will My Toothache Go Away By Itself?
Contrary to popular belief, a toothache will not go away by itself, meaning it will require dental care to fix it. Even if you’re experiencing mild discomfort, you’ll want to visit your emergency dentist in Monroe for an oral assessment. They can check the tooth in question and detect the root cause of the issue. There are many reasons why a toothache can be happening, so it’s crucial to rule out any developing problems before they can worsen over time. Sometimes the discomfort around the tooth can simply resolve itself when it’s caused by irritation in the gums.
Do I Need to Visit for Minor Chips to Teeth?
A chipped, fractured, or broken tooth will not regenerate on its own, so you’ll need to seek treatment for it. If you neglect to do so, the condition can get much worse or even risk infection. You should contact your emergency dentist and schedule an appointment in this situation, especially if your tooth is jagged or has sharp edges that can cause harm to your gums and other oral tissues. Once you arrive at their office, your dental team will evaluate the severity of the damage and determine the best way to address the problem.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
Have you noticed a foul odor in your mouth when you wake up or after eating a meal? While this may seem like a common occurrence, some people may have halitosis—chronic bad breath—which is significantly different. Most of the time, this condition cannot be handled with either mints or proper oral hygiene. Halitosis can potentially be caused by smoking, using tobacco products, or underlying oral health complications (such as cavities, gum disease, and infections). If you aren’t able to improve your bad breath within several days, contact our team for help.