Emergency Dentist — Loveland, OH
We’re Here for Your Family’s Dental Emergencies
When your child is active, they are far more likely to experience a dental injury at a young age. Of course, dental emergencies can affect anyone at any age and in many forms. Whether it’s untreated tooth decay that allowed an infection to develop or a chipped or knocked-out tooth as a result of physical trauma, Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry is prepared to answer your call for emergency dentistry in Loveland, OH. Schedule an appointment with our dental office today if you are an existing patient and you or a family member is experiencing a dental emergency!
Why Choose Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
- #1 Soft Tissue Laser Available for Improved Comfort & Precision
- #2 Intraoral Cameras for Enhanced Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
- #3 Kind, Friendly, and Gentle Dentists & Team Members
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency of any sort, please follow these steps:
- Give our office a call: As soon as it is safe to do so, call our office. We will schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible and give you first-aid guidance over the phone.
- See us for an emergency exam: When you arrive, one of our experienced dentists will see you right away. We use the latest dental technology in order to provide a fast, comfortable, and detailed diagnosis of your situation.
- Make a treatment plan: After reviewing the findings with you, Dr. Gerome or Dr. Patrice will discuss the recommended treatment options with you. Together, you’ll create a custom treatment plan that gets your oral health back on track.
- Get the care you need right away: Once a treatment plan has been made, our team will get to work restoring your smile, comfort, and oral health. If needed, we’ll schedule any necessary follow-up appointments afterwards.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency occurs, it helps to do your best to stay calm and give our dental office a call. This gives you a chance to schedule an appointment, ideally for the same day, and get helpful advice on what you need to do next to improve your condition before you arrive. Depending on what your dental emergency is, you may need to take different steps to manage it. Take note of the following tips below to stabilize you or your family’s dental emergency before coming to our dental office.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
Having a dental emergency on your hands is stressful enough without worrying about the cost. At Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry, our team will be with you throughout every step of the way to make sure that you’re not left in the dark. Not only will you be receiving the highest quality of dental care, but we also work with patients so they don’t have to break their monthly budget in order to get the care they need.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
When it comes to paying for your dental emergency, you should keep in mind that it can vary depending on what treatments are needed. Removing decay and placing a dental filling will cost less than needing more comprehensive root canal therapy to restore a tooth. No matter what the cost of your treatment, the last thing you should do is put off treatment for your emergency. Doing so would leave your tooth vulnerable to additional damage, which could become permanent if you don’t get it promptly handled.
What Factors Influence the Cost of Dental Emergencies
There are several different factors that go into the cost of your emergency visit, which is why we aren’t able to name a single price. Here are some considerations that will impact the cost of your appointment:
- The extent of the damage to your mouth
- Whether you need follow-up treatments, such as a restoration
- If you receive sedation
- What type of treatment you receive
Before we complete any procedures, we’ll discuss your treatment options with you as well as any follow-up visits that may be necessary. We’ll also make sure to answer any questions you may have so you don’t feel left in the dark about the cost of your visit.
We’ll Help You Maximize Your Insurance Benefits
For our patients who do visit us for an emergency appointment and have dental insurance, our team will happily file any claims for you and help you maximize your benefits. We also understand that handling insurance can be complicated, which is why we’re more than happy to help you get in touch with your provider to learn whether or not a service is covered.
Addressing Dental Emergencies Without Dental Insurance
At Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry, we want to make sure that every patient has the ability to get the care they need without dealing with a heavy financial burden. That means that even if you don’t have dental insurance, we’ll work with you. We offer additional financing options through CareCredit, which allows you to pay for your visit in manageable monthly payments.
Dealing with a dental emergency in Loveland is stressful enough, which is why our team goes out of our way to make sure that your visit is hassle-free. If you have any questions about the cost of your emergency visit, don’t hesitate to contact us.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Do you know how to protect your smile from a dental emergency? Are you taking all the precautionary steps to ensure your teeth and gums remain decay, disease, and damage-free? Dr. Mark Gerome and his team at Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry have compiled some tips and advice on what you can do at home to keep your smile looking and feeling its best. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
This morning and nightly ritual can do wonders for your smile. By brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing at least once, and rinsing twice a day, you are minimizing your risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and cavity formations. This is because you are eliminating the bacteria and food particles from your mouth, giving you a clean, refreshing smile. Not to mention, if you are using fluoride toothpaste, your teeth are not only better protected against tooth decay, but they’re also stronger because of the fluoride’s ability to strengthen tooth enamel.
Choose Your Food Items Wisely
When determining what you will eat for a meal or snack, keep this in mind: if it’s hard and crunchy, you could be putting your teeth at risk for chips, cracks, breaks, and fractures. Everything from apples to peanut brittle cause additional pressure to be placed on your pearly whites when biting down. As a result, you can be doing more harm to your teeth than you think. One minute you’re enjoying the juiciness of a red, delicious apple and the next, you’re at the dentist’s office in need of a dental crown because of a chipped tooth.
If you are going to eat harder foods, cut them into manageable pieces that won’t leave you at risk for possible emergency assistance.
Protect Your Pearly Whites with a Mouthguard
Protecting your smile while playing sports is important. In fact, most contact sports require (or strongly encourage) you to wear one. But even solo sports can have you seeing an emergency dentist. No matter if it’s biking, running, football, volleyball, or any other sports-related activity, talk to your dentist about getting a custom-made mouthguard. This will protect your teeth and gums from serious damage and have you continuing to see a beautiful smile.
But what if it isn’t sports that have your teeth in jeopardy? If you are one of the many who suffer from bruxism, a mouthguard can be just as beneficial. Since teeth grinding causes excessive wear and tear as well as chronic jaw pain over time, a mouthguard can relax your facial muscles and keep your teeth from touching, grinding, and clenching while you sleep.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
It’s always reassuring to know that your emergency dentist is available when you need them most, right? But even if you are fully prepared for handling a dental crisis at home, it’s likely you still have some questions about what to expect, where to go, how to determine a serious vs. not serious case, and more. This is why Dr. Gerome and his team have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies for you to review. Spend some time looking over these questions and if you have more, please feel free to contact us.
When Should I Go To the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?
If you are experiencing any of the following, get your to your local emergency room:
- Continual bleeding that does not stop
- Swelling that will not go down
- You have a fractured or broken jaw
Most dental emergencies can be cared for and treated at your local dentist’s office. At Gerome & Patrice Family Dentistry, our team is ready and equipped to handle everything from severe toothaches to knocked-out teeth and more. It is your decision as to where you prefer to receive care, but remember that by going to the ER for dental emergencies other than those listed above, you can face longer wait times, treatment of only the symptoms and not the root cause, and care by a general doctor, not a licensed dental professional.
Do I Still Have to See the Dentist If My Toothache Goes Away?
Surprisingly, many patients avoid scheduling an appointment when dealing with a toothache simply because the pain eventually goes away. This isn’t the best idea because although it could be that something was stuck between your teeth and is now dislodged, your toothache could also be a sign of a more serious, underlying issue. It’s always best to let our team check your oral cavity for any problems or issues and ensure your oral health is in good shape.
How Can I Manage Tooth Pain?
Using a cold compress or ice pack and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever will be the best resources for managing pain and discomfort brought on by a dental emergency. Oftentimes, you might want to reach for anything that will dull the ache, but this can be more damaging in the end. Stick to the recommended products provided by Dr. Gerome, and you will begin to feel a little bit better until you are able to get in and see us.
Does Dental Insurance Cover a Dental Emergency?
You’ll need to check with your dental insurance company to determine if you will be covered for treatment. Much of the decision is based on what type of restorative care you need. Since most insurers agree to cover between 70-80% for minor services and between 50-70% for major services, it is likely that the entire cost of treatment will not be up to you to pay. However, if you are unsure, don’t be afraid to ask a member of our staff to work on your behalf. They will get the answers you need to make a confident decision about your dental care.
