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3 Main St,
Ellington, CT 06029
(860) 870-9031

Emergency Dentist — Ellington, CT

Urgent Care When You Need It Most

Woman in dental chair holding cheek

During a dental emergency, the first response for most people is panic. The second may be feeling unsure of how to respond. For Ellington dentistry patients of Zahner Dental, we are here to help whenever you need us most – including emergency dental appointments. In most cases, we’re able to see patients on the same day they call us, but one of our team members will also walk you through first aid and pain management over the phone to ensure your comfort and safety until you reach our office. If you experience a dental emergency, contact our team right away for urgent dental care. We’ll get you into our office right away to relieve pain and renew your oral health.

Why Choose Zahner Dental for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Dental Insurance Welcome & Flexible Financing Available
  • Welcome Patients of All Ages

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

patient visiting emergency dentist in Ellington

  • Contact our office. The sooner you call us, the better chance we have of saving your smile. When you call our team, we’ll walk you through at-home care to help you manage your situation in the meantime.
  • See our team for an emergency exam. When you get to our office, we’ll perform a thorough emergency exam and take X-rays to identify the root cause of your problem. Based on our findings, we’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your oral health back on the right track.
  • Get the care you need. During your appointment, we may be able to temporarily relieve your pain with anesthesia or sedation. However, you’ll likely have to return for additional treatment to fully address your emergency. Some common solutions include fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and gum disease treatment.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

The most important thing to remember during a dental emergency is that your safety and comfort are our top priorities. If you think your oral health concern requires urgent intervention, it likely does. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule an emergency appointment. We’ll work quickly to get you seen as soon as possible. In the meantime, click on the icons below to learn how to handle some of the most common dental emergencies!

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Credit card and wallet showing the cost of emergency dentistry

If you have a dental emergency, paying the bill is the last thing that should be on your mind. However, it’s normal to worry about the amount you’ll have to pay. Various factors affect the cost of emergency dentistry in Ellington, but we strive to keep our services affordable for everyone, even if money is tight. Our priority is to stop your pain, and then find the solution you need to rehabilitate your smile without breaking the bank.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dentist explain a dental crown procedure to patient

No two dental emergencies are identical, so it’s impossible to have a pre-determined fee for urgent services. A cookie-cutter treatment plan just won’t work. Therefore, the cost of your treatment depends on many factors, like the complexity of the situation and the procedure required. Although every case differs, common treatments include:

  • Dental crowns
  • Tooth extractions
  • Periodontal therapy
  • Root canal therapy
  • TMJ therapy

After examining your smile and learning more about your situation, your emergency dentist in Ellington will create a personalized plan. We’ll provide you with an estimate, and a member of our team will explain the fees. You’ll know exactly what you’ll have to pay before committing to anything.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance claim form

Most dental plans can be used to offset the cost of your treatment. Although your benefits may not cover the entire amount, your dental insurance can be used to lower the fees of certain steps in your treatment, like the consultation, imaging, or restorations. After reaching your deductible, your insurance can cover up to 80% of the expenses. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your coverage.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Man holding cash for payment

Besides using your dental insurance, we offer various financial solutions to accommodate everyone’s budget, including:

  • Traditional Methods: Our office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.
  • Membership Plan: Benefit from reduced rates for common services after a membership fee.
  • Third-Party Financing: Pay for your care in monthly installments using a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.

We will take the time to explain all your options so that nothing stands in the way of saving your smile.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Woman at dentist for a cleaning and checkup

You can’t always stop a dental emergency from occurring, but there are several steps you can take to lessen your risk of one. Most emergency visits result from an underlying problem that wasn’t treated, like a cavity. You can ensure there aren’t any dental concerns lingering in your mouth by seeing your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Keep your teeth and gums healthy in between your regular appointments by brushing and flossing daily.

Besides keeping your mouth clean, protect it from avoidable damage. Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports and don’t use your teeth as tools. It’s best to keep any inedible objects out of your mouth, including your fingernails. With a strong oral hygiene routine, preventive steps, and a healthy diet, you can avoid an unplanned trip to an emergency dentist.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

closeup of man flossing teeth in bathroom mirror

The best way to keep your smile whole, healthy, and free from pain is to maintain a thorough preventive dentistry routine. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and visit our Ellington dentistry practice two times a year for dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings. Some other things you should keep in mind to avoid dental emergencies include:

  • Do not chew on ice, fingernails, pen caps, or other hard objects
  • Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages and crack nuts
  • Do wear a mouthguard if you grind and clench your teeth at night
  • Do use a sportsguard as directed while participating in athletic competitions or practices

Dental Emergency FAQs 

Close up of woman’s smile in pain

Dental emergencies can be incredibly surprising! Do you know what to do if one occurs? Are you wondering about what really is a dental emergency? At Zahner Dental, we want all of our patients to have the information they need to stay healthy. That’s why we’ve provided the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?

You’re probably wondering what exactly counts as a dental emergency. The easiest way to tell is if you’re experiencing pain that takes away from your normal day-to-day tasks. This can include toothaches, broken teeth, cracked teeth, lost teeth, and more. If you do experience a toothache out of nowhere, try to floss around the area to remove any food debris that may be causing irritation. If your pain persists, call our office for treatment.

Should I Visit the Dentist or the ER?

In many cases, it’s best to visit our office because we specialize in oral healthcare, providing all of the treatments you need to get out of pain and back to smiling. However, some problems require an emergency visit, including issues with breathing, jaw injury, uncontrollable bleeding, deep facial wounds, and any other potentially life-threatening instances. These problems may even require general medical attention, which is why you should go to the ER right away.

When Should Dental Emergencies Get Treated?

Dental emergencies are called emergencies for a reason—they require urgent care! Unlike other medical conditions that can get better with time, dental problems will only get worse. For example, a lost tooth can be replanted if you visit our office immediately but waiting can result in the need for an artificial replacement. If you’re uncertain that you’re having an emergency, it’s always better to call our office to find out!

When Do I Need a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy is one of the most important emergency dentistry services we have to offer because it can prevent your tooth from needing extraction. One of our expert emergency dentists can use this treatment to carefully remove any infected or decayed tissue from the inside of your tooth while keeping it intact. After, they will strengthen and protect it to prevent additional pain and damage from occurring.

How Much Will My Dental Emergency Cost?

Because there are so many different types of dental emergencies that can occur, the cost of your treatment can vary. The best way to get a specific price estimate is to visit our office. We will carefully examine your smile and the issues affecting it before recommending the best treatment option. Our front desk staff is always ready to help with any insurance or payment questions you may have!

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to speak with one of our experts!