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Best Emergency Dentist in Leonardtown

April 15, 2023 No Comments

Time to See the Best Emergency Dentist in Leonardtown? It Is if You Have Any of These Signs

Having tooth pain can be frightening, and even more so when it’s unexpected. But how do you know if the pain can wait or it’s an emergency?

How do you find the best emergency dentist in Leonardtown? And, how much is treatment going to cost? Here’s what you need to know about dental emergencies!

Is It a Dental Emergency? Here’s How to Tell

If you experience any of the following signs, you likely need care right away. When in doubt, you should call your dentist. If you have any life-threatening symptoms, be sure to go to the nearest hospital or call 911 immediately!

Tooth Abscess or Infection

An abscess or infection of the tooth or gums should be seen by a dentist right away. If you notice a sour, salty, or metallic taste in your mouth randomly, this often means you have an infection.

Sudden or Severe Mouth or Tooth Pain

Tooth or mouth pain is a cause for concern to dental professionals, especially if it’s spontaneous. This can mean that the nerves in the tooth are dying and will need a root canal treatment or extraction.

Broken or Lost Tooth

If you break a tooth, it can leave behind sharp remains of the tooth and cut your tongue or inside of your mouth.

If you lose a tooth due to an accident, try to find the tooth and call the dentist right away to receive instruction on how to try and save the tooth. A lost tooth may be able to be reinserted if the proper steps are taken and it’s done quickly enough.

Lost Filling or Crown

If an existing filling or crown breaks or falls out, you will want to call your dentist to have it replaced soon, though it’s not always an emergency.

When you lose a filling, sharp pieces of tooth or existing filling can remain. If the filling isn’t fixed or replaced, it can continue to break which could lead to losing the tooth completely.

A crown is very important to get replaced when it is broken or lost. The way teeth are prepared to put a crown on leaves them vulnerable without the crown’s protection.

If the crown is lost, the surrounding teeth can start to shift without the place-holding of the crown. This can make it so the existing one can’t be placed back on, and a whole new crown will need to be fabricated, costing you a whole lot more money out of pocket.

This may not need to be a same-day appointment, but you will want to be seen sooner rather than later.

Bleeding Mouth or Gums

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, there could be multiple reasons. If it’s due to gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis, it is an urgent need but not necessarily an emergency. Inflammation that leads to bleeding needs to be taken care of to prevent bone and tooth loss.

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums or mouth from an accident, call an emergency dentist to seek treatment right away.

Searching for an Emergency Dentist? Here’s How to Choose

To find the best emergency dentist in Leonardtown, there are three key things you want to look for.

• Great Reviews

Reviews from current or previous patients are the best way to find an excellent dental healthcare provider. You can ask people you trust including friends, family, co-workers, and other healthcare professionals for a referral.

Other options include your insurance company and reputable third-party review sites that verify patient status. On a five-star rating system, you want to choose a provider who has at least four stars.

Be sure to read the details in testimonials to see why patients rated providers the way they did. What was great about the practice? What did they feel could be improved? Take everything into account, including whether those concerns apply to you. For instance, if there’s a low rating because parking isn’t great but you’re taking an Uber, factor that into your decision.

• Education and Experience

When dealing with a dental emergency, you only want an expert for the best possible outcome. Asking for the dentist’s credentials, education, and certifications is a great way to know whether they’re right for you. You can often find this information online, either on the provider’s website or through an internet search.

• Treatment Options

When calling around to find a dental provider, be sure to ask what treatment options they offer. If they aren’t equipped to provide root canals but you have an infection that may need one, keep looking. You don’t want to have to see one professional and have them refer you to another.

How Much Does Toothache Treatment Cost?

Dental emergencies can be pricey, just like any other type of emergency. So it’s always good to have an emergency fund, or have part of your already existing emergency fund have an allotted dental portion.

Prices for urgent treatments your dentist may recommend include:

• Extractions: $75 to $300
• Crowns: $800 to $2,500
• Fillings: $90 to $250
• Root Canals: $600 to $1500

Seeking regular dental care can oftentimes prevent dental emergencies and save you thousands in the long run.

If You Have Any Signs of a Dental Emergency and Need the Best Emergency Dentist in Leonardtown, Here’s What to Do Next

Call our office today at 301-880-4439 to be seen as soon as possible to save your smile! Our father-and-son team of Dr. Joseph Luke and Dr. Jonathan Luke has the expertise to care for you in any dental emergency you may experience.