Emergency Dentistry – Casper, WY
Emergency Dentist For Saving Casper Smiles
Emergency situations are always terrifying, and those that impact your oral health are no different. If you or a loved one are experiencing severe dental pain or an injury, don’t hesitate – contact your emergency dentist in Casper, WY, Dr. Erin Prach, as soon as possible for assistance. With years of experience, advanced training and the latest technology, you can count on getting out of pain fast and recovering the health and beauty of your smile. And, in most cases, we’re able to see you the same day you call for emergency dentistry in Casper, WY. We’ll also provide guidance for how to manage your situation if you can’t reach us immediately. Learn more below about handling common emergencies, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever need immediate care!
Why Choose Dr. Erin M. Prach for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Dental Insurance Accepted & Maximized
- Friendly Dental Team That Prioritizes Your Comfort
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Initial Call: On the phone, we can provide fast first-aid tips to help you deal with any discomfort, and if necessary, schedule you for a same-day appointment.
- Emergency Exam: After you arrive, Dr. Prach will examine the patient’s mouth and take X-rays so she can understand what is causing the problem.
- Presentation of Treatment: Prach will discuss treatment options and go over the details of each so you can choose what is best for you.
- Application of Care: Once a plan is agreed upon, Dr. Prach and our team will quickly get to work treating the emergency to stop pain and repair damage.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Many situations can constitute a dental emergency, so it’s OK to give us a call even if you’re unsure whether or not you’re experiencing one. We’ll let you know what to do next! Below are just some of the most common emergencies we see, so if you ever have to deal with any of them, know that Dr. Prach and our team will definitely be able to help.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Ultimately, the cost of your care comes down to your unique dental needs. That’s why scheduling a consultation is so important! The moment a dental emergency strikes, contact our dental office so we can get you in as soon as possible (which is often the same day). Once you get to our dental office, our Casper emergency dentist, Dr. Prach, will conduct a comprehensive exam to locate the source of the problem. From there, a custom treatment plan will be made to restore both the function and aesthetic of your smile. The cost and financial components will be laid out clearly so there are no surprises, and you can just focus on getting the dental care you need!
Every Dental Emergency is Different
As you can imagine, the process of treating the root of a dental injury is much more extensive than a routine teeth cleaning. With that being said, the cost of emergency dentistry in Casper is typically more than your bi-yearly dental appointment. While there is no all-encompassing answer for an exact price, there are a few factors to consider across the board, such as the type of restorative treatment that’s needed. For example, does the issue need to be addressed with root canal therapy or does the tooth need to be extracted and replaced entirely? Don’t worry – we will review all of the different factors at your appointment before providing you with an estimate of the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Although dental plans vary from one person to the next, the cost of diagnostic care is typically covered. Plus, your benefits may cover 50% of major procedures, like dental crowns, which can significantly lower your out-of-pocket cost. If you’re unfamiliar with your coverage, then don’t hesitate to ask our team for help. We are proud to work with many of the nation’s most popular providers, including BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, and Delta Dental! As a result, your benefits go toward what they are meant for: protecting your smile and your wallet.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Dr. Prach and our team never want cost to stand in the way of the dental care you need, especially when you’re in pain. If you don’t have dental insurance, then talk to our team about our different financial solutions, including flexible financing through CareCredit. This third-party financier allows you to space out your payments into budget-friendly chunks instead of having to pay for your entire treatment in one lump sum. Sometimes, there is even little-to-no interest attached too!
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While some dental injuries are simply unavoidable, many can be avoided with the right best practices in place. That starts with a solid oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. To keep your oral health in pristine condition, you should also avoid unhealthy habits (like smoking), wear a mouthguard when playing sports, and be careful when eating sticky, hard, and crunchy foods. While these habits may seem small, they can go a long way in protecting your smile.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Sadly, dental emergencies can’t always be prevented. Before you let that discourage you though, there are a few best practices you can implement to help protect your smile from harm. As your Casper dental team, we recommend the following:
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
If you wait until you’re already in pain to schedule an appointment, then it’s likely that serious dental damage has already developed. If, on the other hand, you visit Dr. Prach every six months, she can treat issues before they turn into emergencies. That’s why we recommend coming in twice a year for a checkup and cleaning; we want to catch tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and the like as early as possible.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
In short, the cleaner you keep things, the lower your risk of cavities, gum problems, toothaches, etc. That’s why it’s so important to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen. Naturally, that includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash each evening. However, it’s also important to use the right tools, like a fluoridated toothpaste, and to replace your toothbrush every quarter.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
You may have heard that eating sugar in excess can have a negative effect on your waistline. However, we’re worried about the effect it can have on your teeth! After all, sugar is one of the leading causes of cavities, which have the potential to negatively impact the look and function of your smile as well. So, do your best to fill up on nutrient-dense foods as much as possible, including carrots, celery, plain yogurt, and sweet potatoes.
Wear a Mouthguard
Even non-contact sports, like surfing, can result in a serious dental injury. That’s why it’s so important to wear a mouthguard during contact and non-contact sports alike. This dental device also serves another important purpose: it can protect your teeth from chronic grinding and clenching. Fortunately, our Casper dental team can have a custom mouthguard made to help protect your teeth from chips, cracks, fractures, and the like.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Remember, your teeth aren’t tools. So, you shouldn’t open packages with your teeth, hold your keys in your mouth, or bite your nails. On a similar note, you shouldn’t chew on ice cubes, pens, or hard candies since the pressure can cause your teeth to crack.
Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions
Your emergency dentist in Casper, Dr. Erin Prach, wants to help you become more familiar with the topic of dental emergencies. With so many questions surrounding what to do, where to go, how to handle certain situations, and how to prevent them from happening, she and her team have compiled some of the most common frequently asked questions for you to review. We encourage you to spend some time looking over the answers and invite you to contact us with any additional questions you might have. It is our job to inform, educate, and help our patients, so give us a call today!
What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?
Although baby teeth eventually fall out on their own, they shouldn’t fall out too soon. Should your child accidentally knock out a baby tooth, call us as soon as possible and let us take a look. While waiting to see your child’s dentist in Casper, make sure to keep the tooth moist by placing it in a container of milk.
Once you arrive at our dental office, Dr. Prach will examine the tooth and your child’s mouth to determine the severity of the problem. If it is possible to implant the tooth again, we will do so; however, if too much time has passed or it is impossible to implant, we may need to place a spacer in the gap, especially if it will be a while before the permanent tooth grows in. By doing this, it will prevent their other baby teeth from shifting and trying to close the gap.
Will my toothache go away and get better on its own?
Even if the pain is no longer an issue, you should still get in to see us. A toothache is usually caused by either something being stuck between your teeth (which can be easily removed with dental floss) or an infection. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help minimize discomfort; however, if there is an underlying cause for your toothache, it’s important that Dr. Prach examine your oral cavity to determine if anything underneath the gum line is the culprit of the pain.
What should I do if I experience a dental emergency while on vacation?
You might be tempted to just wait until you return home to get help, but if you want to be able to enjoy the rest of your time on vacation, you will get to a local dentist’s office as soon as possible. No matter if it’s a raging toothache or a busted lip, let a professional nearby take a look and offer treatment. Make sure to call and alert us to the situation. If necessary, we will schedule an appointment for you to come in once you get home. This will allow Dr. Prach to review the problem area and determine if you need additional treatment.
When should I visit the emergency room?
There are only a few instances in which you should skip the dentist’s office and head straight to the emergency room:
- Broken/fractured jawbone
- Continuous bleeding from the mouth
- Increased swelling that could cause a blockage of the airway
Most dental emergencies can be safely treated by your emergency dentist. Unless you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned scenarios, avoid the long wait times and instead, let Dr. Prach take care of your smile with start-to-finish treatment.