(931) 388-4315Emergency Dentist – Columbia, TN
Dr. Goodman Offers a Way to Get Out of Pain Fast
Dental emergencies can strike in the blink of an eye, like a sudden fall down the stairs, or they may develop gradually until the pain is too much for a person to ignore. At Goodman Family Dentistry, our team wants to offer patients the fast and effective relief they need in these frightening situations. Instead of saying “No openings for a few weeks,” we’ll find time in our schedule for you or your loved one ASAP! Don’t hesitate to
contact our Columbia, TN location today.
Why Choose Goodman Family Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- Wide Range of Treatment Options
- We Accept Walk-In Appointments
- Dental Team That Cares About Comfort
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Emergency dental care always calls for a personalized approach since different issues require different kinds of care. That said, we usually take these steps to help you relieve your pain and prevent further harm to your smile:
- Emergency Appointment: We’ll make time to see you as soon as we can. A team member can give you first-aid instructions over the phone to help you keep the situation under control until you can be seen.
- Emergency Examination: What is causing your dental issue? To answer that question, we’ll look at your teeth and your jaw, possibly taking X-rays if we need to.
- Review Findings: Upon completing our examination, we’ll give you a detailed explanation of what’s going on inside your mouth. We’ll go over your options for treatment and provide the necessary estimates of how much they’ll likely cost.
- Get the Care You Need: The final step is to perform the agreed-upon treatments and restore your oral health.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
There are many different oral health issues that could qualify as dental emergencies, so sometimes you may not be sure what does or doesn’t count. You can always call our office for a recommendation. In the meantime, though, here are some examples of dental emergencies that our team can help with.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
The cost of emergency dentistry in Columbia changes from patient to patient. The reason there is no set price is that each case is different. A knocked-out tooth is treated differently than a toothache. While one may only need antibiotics, another may require a tooth replacement. Once our team receives the approved treatment plan, we’ll help you navigate the financial side of dentistry, maximizing your dental insurance benefits and filing any necessary paperwork and claims on your behalf.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While it will never be possible to ensure that you and your loved ones don’t experience a dental emergency with 100% certainty, there are several ways to lower the odds in your favor:
- Don’t chew on the ice in your drink.
- Limit your exposure to foods that are overly hard, chewy, or sticky.
- Use scissors to open tough packaging and never your own teeth.
- Always wear an oral appliance as directed if you struggle with teeth grinding or regularly play sports with physical contact.
- Make sure to visit Dr. Goodman every six months for a checkup and cleaning! Our team can keep your smile safe from big dental problems down the road by treating them at their earliest stages.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dr. Goodman and his team are well-equipped and more than ready to handle your dental emergency and get you out of pain quickly. While we sincerely hope you never have to deal with these somewhat scary situations, we want our patients to be as prepared as possible should an emergency strike. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about emergency dentistry in Columbia below so you can learn more. If you have more questions or if you are in pain, don’t hesitate to call us right away!
Will My Toothache Go Away On Its Own?
Some patients avoid seeking the care they need because they don’t want to make a big deal out of something small. Unfortunately, teeth can’t heal themselves, so taking a “wait and see” approach will usually just let the problem get worse. If your toothache is intense or lasts more than 24 hours, we encourage you to give us a call so we can help you decide what to do next.
Should I Go to the ER Instead of the Dentist?
Most ERs are not equipped or staffed to properly deal with dental emergencies. They may provide antibiotics or pain relievers, but they will likely instruct you to visit a dentist afterward. You will almost always save time, money, and hassle by bringing your dental emergency to us first!
That being said, some situations need to be treated at an ER first before we fix up your smile, including:
- Dislocated or broken jaw
- Bleeding that hasn’t stopped after 10 minutes
- Swelling in the mouth that’s making it hard to swallow or breathe
My Chipped or Cracked Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Visit?
Just because your tooth doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s fine. Remember, enamel cannot repair itself. While that chip or crack may seem small and insignificant now, it will only get worse over time. In the end, leaving your injured tooth untreated could mean you need a tooth extraction or root canal when earlier treatment would have been as simple as a filling or crown. Come see us right away if you chip or crack a tooth, even if it doesn’t hurt.
Are Knocked-Out Baby Teeth a Dental Emergency?
Baby teeth are meant to come out eventually, but if your child has one knocked out unexpectedly, you should give us a call. We’ll likely want to take a look at their mouth to make sure that the permanent tooth underneath wasn’t damaged. If the baby tooth was lost prematurely, we may recommend placing a space saver to prevent the neighboring teeth from drifting into the space and trapping the permanent tooth in the gums below them.
Is Emergency Dentistry an Eligible FSA/HSA Expense?
While every case is different, most procedures that are used to treat a dental emergency are eligible as an FSA or HSA expense. When you arrive at our office, our knowledgeable team will look over the details of your plan to confirm your reimbursement benefits. We will always give you an estimate of the costs for your chosen treatment before you start it.
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