How Costly is It to Have a Dental Emergency Treated?

It’s a mild winter day, and you’ve decided to take advantage of it by spending some time in the sunlight. Suddenly, your plans are interrupted by a dental emergency. Now you have to shift gears to figure out how to get the care that you need. Will it be expensive? So you can be better prepared, an emergency dentist in Plano provides information about the cost of some of the more common treatments for dental trauma.

Responding to a Dental Emergency

Once you discover that you have a dental emergency, the most important thing to do is to remain calm. Therefore, you can properly assess what has happened and take the appropriate steps to stabilize the situation. In some cases, this may involve placing a cotton gauze to stop bleeding, while another may require you to carefully floss around a painful tooth. No matter what type of emergency you may encounter, by taking the time to gather your thoughts, you’re less likely to make mistakes.

After you’ve assessed the trauma, the next step is to contact an emergency dentist to explain what has happened and to schedule a visit. This is especially important in more time-sensitive moments, like when there is a dislodged tooth.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat a Dental Emergency?

Because each situation is different, there is no set cost for treating a dental emergency. For example, if there is minimal damage, like in the case of a chipped tooth, then you can expect the treatment to cost less than receiving a root canal when there has been severe decay. Thus, the best way to get an accurate picture of what the cost will be for your treatment is to visit a dentist for an examination.

The Value of Having Dental Insurance

One of the key reasons for maintaining dental insurance is to have access to emergency dental care. With most plans, at least a portion of the cost of an emergency examination and treatment will be covered after your deductible (usually around $50) has been met.

The treatment you receive will likely be classified as either basic or major care. The following shows how most plans disperse coverage for each type:

• Basic Care – For PPO plans, coverage can range from 70-80%. With HMO plans, a co-payment is usually required.
• Major Care – If the treatment is classified as major care, up to 50% of the cost is covered under a PPO plan, and a co-pay will usually be required if you have an HMO plan.

If you’re suffering from a painful toothache, oral bleeding, a chipped, broken or dislodged tooth, or a lost filling or crown, the most important thing is to receive the treatment you need. By working with a dentist who can provide expert care in the most cost-effective manner possible, you can rest assured that your oral health will be restored.

About the Author

Dr. Bita Kamali earned her dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. She understands how troubling it can be to deal with a dental emergency, which is why she provides compassionate and concise care to help her patients recover. Dr. Kamali treats dental trauma at Parkway Vista Dental, and she can be reached for more information through her website.