Emergency Dentist — Mount Pleasant, TX
Urgent Dental Care without the Wait
When you or a loved one are in severe dental pain, the last thing you want to do is waste time in someone’s waiting room. Dr. Robert Sikes understands that dental emergencies can happen at any time, which is why he’s happy to see urgent patients as soon as possible here in Mount Pleasant. Whether you’re dealing with a broken tooth or painful toothache, contact our office, and we’ll work to get you out of pain as soon as we can.
Why Choose Robert C. Sikes for Emergency Dental Care?
- Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
- Dentist with Nearly 40 Years of Experience
- Skilled Team That Has Treated Many Dental Emergencies
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-day appointment: When you contact us to arrange an emergency appointment, our team will provide you with some first-aid tips to use until your visit. You will have the opportunity to make your appointment at that time.
- Emergency exam: The moment you get to our office, we will get you into one of our dental chairs so that Dr. Sikes can perform a brief, yet comprehensive emergency exam to locate the source of your symptoms. If needed, he will capture digital X-rays as well. If you are in pain, he’ll do everything possible to alleviate discomfort during your appointment.
- Review findings: After going over his findings with you, he’ll lay out a treatment plan that specifically addresses your dental emergency and prevents it from getting worse. Our team will make sure to explain the estimated length of your treatment and costs beforehand so you can make an informed decision on your care.
- Get the care you need: Our team has years of experience handling dental emergencies and will work diligently to alleviate your dental issue, whether it’s through dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, or another service entirely.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies come in two main varieties. They can either be the result of a sudden accident or have taken months to develop. In either case, pain and damage is usually the result, and seeking out professional care is always the best thing to do. Ahead of your emergency visit, you can improve your situation by taking the following steps into account below.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Because dental emergencies are unexpected by nature, it’s common to not be prepared for them financially. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine the cost of emergency dental care until Dr. Sikes has had the opportunity to evaluate your problem and determine an appropriate treatment plan. Here’s a closer look at the factors that may affect the cost of your care.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Dental emergencies can range from accidental injury to painful cavities and everything in between. Because each emergency has its own unique set of circumstances, there is no way to determine a set price for treatment in advance of your appointment. For example, root canal treatments can cost two different patients two completely different prices depending on the location and severity of the infected tooth, as well as whether it needs a crown or a dental filling. Because this can only be determined in person, you’ll want to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Sikes.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Typically, most dental insurance plans will at least partially cover dental emergencies; however, how much they cover and what type of emergencies they cover will depend on your individual plan. The level of coverage will also depend on your deductible and if you have met your out-of-pocket maximum for the year, or if there are any limitations or waiting periods on your plan.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Because nobody should have to wait to save up money for emergency dental care, in addition to accepting dental insurance, Dr. Sikes is happy to welcome flexible financing options through CareCredit, which can break up the cost of your emergency dental care into multiple, low-to-no interest payments that are better suited to your budget. To learn more about these options, please visit our website or speak to our front office about your options.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While treating dental emergencies can be expensive, an excellent way to save time and money is by keeping up with your regular, preventive dental care. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting Dr. Sikes every six months for your regular, biannual dental check-up and cleaning appointments are all essential steps for protecting your teeth and gums from dental emergencies. These simple actions can help prevent cavities, decay, gum disease and infection, and regular screenings can help alert you to early warning signs of life-threatening illnesses like oral cancer.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
A few small habits can greatly reduce the chances you’ll need to make an unexpected trip to the dentist:
- Dental-related injuries are extremely common during sports, so wear a mouthguard every time you play.
- Enamel is extremely strong, but it can still be damaged or even break if you regularly chew on ice, pens, pencils, or fingernails. Try sugar-free gum instead.
- Don’t use your teeth to open stubborn packages—grab the scissors!
- Brush and floss your teeth every day to keep them free of decay and infection.
- Come see Dr. Sikes if you feel the smallest hint of a dental problem. Early care now can prevent an emergency later!
Dental Emergency FAQs
Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
You may be surprised to hear that the answer is “yes,” but not for the reason you think. Since your teeth cannot heal on their own, the most common reason sensitivity, discomfort, and pain subside is because the nerve has died. While that might seem harmless since your symptoms are now gone, it’s actually a message: it’s only a matter of time until your tooth is beyond saving. That’s why we recommend getting in touch with us to schedule an emergency appointment – whether you’re dealing with a relatively minor toothache or sharp, stabbing pain when biting down.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
While we don’t recommend taking the “wait and see” approach with toothaches, we also know it isn’t always possible to get to our office right away – whether it’s because you’re on vacation or because you’re stuck at the office. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate your symptoms and protect your tooth from further harm in the short-term, including taking OTC pain medication as directed, rinsing periodically with warm saltwater, and avoiding acidic, spicy, and sugary foods.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
If you’ve experienced a serious dental injury, like a knocked out tooth, you might assume that you should go to the ER right away. However, hospitals don’t typically have dentists on staff. So, we only recommend going that route if you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like trouble breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, or difficulty swallowing. If that’s not the case, and you reside in or around Mount Pleasant, call us instead! We offer morning, lunchtime, and afternoon appointments, so there’s a good chance we’ll be able to schedule a visit the same day you call.
Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?
If you have a pimple-like bump on your gums, do NOT pop it. Instead, call us ASAP to schedule an emergency appointment. At your visit, we can conduct a comprehensive oral exam and determine the best way to proceed. For some, it’s carefully opening and draining the abscess. For others, it’s opening and draining the abscess before eliminating the rest of the infection with a root canal.
Do I Need to Go to The Dentist for A Small Chip in My Tooth?
A minor chip may not seem like much of an issue. To be fair, it often isn’t. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t schedule an appointment within the next day or two. Our goal is to not only restore the missing structure of your tooth, but to prevent an infection from developing or the damage from getting worse. So, even if the situation doesn’t seem urgent, don’t wait – get in touch with us to get an exam on the calendar.
Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?
It is NOT safe to repair broken dentures with superglue. After all, household adhesives like these contain toxins that are not safe to ingest. Plus, it can negatively impact the way your denture fits and your food tastes. For all these reasons, we strongly advise against the DIY approach.
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