A dental emergency is extremely stressful and difficult to deal with. It is made that much more stressful if you don’t have insurance. The good news is, there are options that are available for patients that are experiencing an emergency but don’t have insurance.

Below is more information about what dental emergencies are, how to pay for one without insurance, and what to look for in an emergency dentistry provider.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Before setting an appointment for emergency dentistry, it’s first important to understand what emergency dentistry is and what it isn’t.

You may be experiencing a dental problem that is uncomfortable but can actually wait until a regularly scheduled appointment. If the problem is bad enough, your dentist may be able to see you quicker without having to actually schedule an emergency services.

Below are a few examples of dental emergencies: 

• Cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked out tooth, teeth, or dental restoration
• Oral bleeding
• Sore and swollen gums
• Damaged or loose crowns
• Damaged orthodontics 
• Extreme or sudden sensitivity 
• Painful teeth or jaw
• Broken fillings
• Broken or bent dentures
• Dental infection

If you are experiencing any of these issues, contact 24/7 Dental. We’ll discuss the specifics with you and see if you are experiencing an emergency. If so, we’ll schedule you for an immediate appointment to address the emergency.    

Go to the Dentist!

The first thing you need to do, whether you have insurance or not, is go to the dentist! Some people that are experiencing any dental problems (including dental emergencies) will avoid going to the dentist because they can’t afford it. The problem is this leads to much worse issues in the future.

A damaged tooth may become a lost tooth. A tooth with a missing filling can become infected. Worst of all, an infection can spread and become life-threatening!

As its dentistry, many people don’t consider how life-threatening a dental infection can be. To avoid an infection or treat an infection, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. For non-life-threatening emergency dentistry issues, it’s a matter of saving your teeth, ensuring there isn’t further damage, and alleviating pain that may be getting worse and worse.

It’s better to consider your payment options and go to the dentist than try to avoid the dentist entirely when you are experiencing an emergency.

Consider a Dental Membership

Some dental offices offer a special dental membership plan. While this is not insurance and not every dental office offers them, you can check with the office you are considering to see if a dental membership is an option. This can help you to save money on treatments and get the help you need when you need it.

See If Payment Plans Are Available

Some dentists offer dental payment plans for patients that don’t have insurance. Many times, there are no fees associated with these plans if payments are made on time. If you are offered a payment plan, make sure you are able to pay it on time!

Medical Credit Plans

Even if you have poor credit, you may be a candidate for a medical credit plan like CareCredit. Many dental offices take CareCredit, and it functions in a very similar way to a credit card. Patients with poor credit may find their limit is actually pretty high, enabling them to receive the emergency procedure they need and then pay it off over time.

CareCredit is an excellent option for avoiding fees and interest (as long as you pay on time). Let us know if you are considering CareCredit and we will help you to get the assistance you need.

Choosing the Right Emergency Dentist

While you are experiencing an emergency, you also want to get the best care you possibly can. This means choosing the right emergency dentist. Below are a few things to consider when choosing the right emergency dentist:

Availability

You may have the perfect dentist in mind but then discover they are unavailable. It’s good to have a few options ready in case one office isn’t able to provide care. With that said, many offices will offer a referral to patients if they are booked up for emergency appointments and are unavailable.

Coverage

Take into consideration the payment options above if you don’t have insurance. If the dentist does not offer any of those payment options, you may need to keep looking and find a dentist that does.

Experience

Emergency dentistry is a specialized field, and not every dentist provides emergency dentistry services. Look for a dentist with lots of experience and an office like 24/7 Dental that specializes in emergency dentistry services. You want to make sure you are in the most capable hands possible to resolve the dental emergency you are experiencing.

Preventing an Emergency

The best thing you can do for a dental emergency is to avoid it. While there are circumstances where a dental emergency can’t be avoided, there are other circumstances where action can be taken to avoid having to go to the dentist for a repair, extraction, or other oral health service.

One of the things you can do to avoid a dental emergency is take proper care of your oral health. This means brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, every day. Also, make sure to set an appointment with 24/7 Dental every six months so we can take a look at your teeth, gums, and jawbone. By taking good care of your oral health, you can avoid infections, fillings falling out, and other problems.

If you play a sport, make sure you wear a mouth guard! A lot of cases where teeth are chipped, cracked, or knocked out are due to sports injuries. Stay safe!

Contact 24/7 Dental with Your Dental Emergency

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact 24/7 Dental today. We’ll get you in for an immediate appointment and provide you with top-quality emergency care. We’re here to help!