Dental emergencies are not usually life threatening, however, a visit to the dentist will provide comfort and restore function as soon as possible. The following represents some guidelines to understand whether a dental condition is an emergency. All dental emergencies are attended to immediately. Some symptoms may be less severe and considered urgent. What this means is that, although it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible, it is not considered an emergency.
Please see below for information on different dental conditions and what you need to do:
|Dull, continuous ache||Non-emergency||Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.|
|Sudden, severe discomfort, accompanied by swelling||It could be an emergency||Apply a cold compress and see your dentist immediately.
||An abscess is a localized pus formation usually located at the root end of the tooth. If the condition is acute and there is infection present the dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics and analgesics before attempting to perform root canal therapy.|
|Knocked out tooth
||It is an emergency
||Control the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a cold compress. Do not remove or be alarmed, as there may be extensive bleeding. Transport the tooth wrapped in a wet cloth or a glass of milk. Do not rinse the tooth.|
||Depending on the severity of the fracture it could cause an infection which is much more difficult to treat.|
||Don’t try to force the tooth back into its socket. Gently reposition the tooth to its normal alignment. Hold the tooth in place with gauze or a tissue. You must see your dentist immediately|
||Make sure the airway is open and transport the victim to medical aid as soon as possible, either a hospital emergency room or call 911.|
|Sensitivity to cold
||Your tooth could be sensitive for a number of reasons. Never apply aspirin or heat to the tooth. Call the dentist and arrange an appointment as soon as possible.|
|Sensitivity to heat
||Sensitivity to heat can indicate that infection is present. See your dentist as soon as possible. If swelling and/or fever are present, consider it to be an emergency. An abscess could be forming.|
|Broken Braces and Wires
||If the broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out carefully. If not, cover the sharp or protruding portion with gauze, cotton balls or even chewing gum. Do not remove this and see your dentist immediately.|
INFORMATION FOR OUR PATIENTS WITH DENTAL INSURANCE
Dental Insurance is not meant to be a "PAY-ALL", it is only meant to assist you in covering the fees for treatment.
Some plans pay more………some pay less. The amount your plan pays is determined by the contribution you and your employer make to your dental plan.
Our fees are based on the current fee schedule recommended by the Ontario Dental Association.
Many routine dental services are NOT covered by the insurance carriers. We make our recommendations based on your needs and not on what your insurance may or may not cover. The result is that the patient may be personally responsible for all or part of the fees.
Please do not hesitate to ask us any questions about our office policies. We want you to be comfortable in dealing with these matters and we urge you to consult us if you have any questions regarding our services and/or fees.
If you have any questions regarding your insurance, please contact your insurance carrier regarding the specifics and details of the plan they are operating on your behalf.