Cat
“An outstanding level of care & talent is used from the doctors, hygienists, and staff at McCarl Dental.”
Emergency Dentist Greenbelt
I am in Pain & Need Help
Life is full of unexpected surprises, and as we all know by now, many of them can be quite unpleasant. If you or a loved one suddenly find yourselves needing immediate dental care, know that you can always turn to our emergency dentist. Our team can arrange same-day emergency dental appointments, so we can get you out of pain and back to your normal life as quickly as possible.
Why Choose McCarl Dental Group, PC
for Emergency Dental Care?
-
Same-day emergency appointments
-
Root canals & extractions available
-
Compassionate & experienced team
Videos
Same Day Dental Emergencies
Patient Testimony: Nicole
Dental Emergency Success Stories
Ellen
“I appreciate the amazing customer service at McCarl Dental Group - it exceeds all expectations!”
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
If you’re in a car accident, get food poisoning, or break your arm, do you wait until Monday at 8 am to call your doctor? No. You would probably go to the emergency room right away, but for patients experiencing dental emergencies, waiting until the dentist has time to fit them in during regular office hours is often the only option. At our office, we’re here to help when our patients need us most. If you experience a dental emergency, we will do our utmost to see you right away. In many cases, we can see you the same day.
In addition to offering same-day appointments, one of our team members will happily walk you through how to care for your smile until you can make it in to see us. Your first step in any dental emergency should be to call our dental office at (301) 259-3604. If it’s after hours, listen to the message and contact one of the dentists on the mobile phone numbers provided.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Most dental emergencies fall into one of two categories. The first is emergencies brought about by sudden injuries or accidents, like a broken or knocked-out tooth. The other is emergencies that develop slowly over time, such as an intense toothache or lingering tooth sensitivity. Not sure your situation “counts” as a dental emergency? The odds are good that if you’re in pain or have injured your tooth, you’re in urgent need and we can help. Even if you are unsure if you need immediate attention, we encourage you to give us a call right away. Some of the most common dentistry concerns we treat include:
Understanding The Cost Of Emergency Dentistry
The cost of emergency dentistry will vary depending on the treatment necessary, but as always, our team is committed to offering quality, effective dentistry at a price that fits your budget. We will maximize your insurance benefits, work with you on financing options, and take all the stress out of paying for your necessary dental care. Your tooth may hurt but paying to repair it doesn’t have to! Contact us with any questions, so we can begin to help you save.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
When visiting your emergency dentist, you’ll be pleased to learn the actual appointment does not cost nearly as much as you might expect. This visit is necessary, however, as we will need to check your mouth and identify the severity of the damage before crafting a personalized treatment plan. We’ll work quickly to address your immediate symptoms and alleviate any pain, but we’ll likely need to prepare you for more extensive treatment should the damage to your tooth or gums require restorative care.
The type of dentistry you’ll need will be determined by the type of problem you’re facing. Only then can we provide a clearer estimate as to how much it will cost to fix your dental issue. But don’t worry, we’ll explain the various options, so you can feel more confident when approaching a treatment that meets your budget.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Many dental insurance companies do offer coverage for at least one emergency exam each year, but this is not always the case. You’ll need to review your policy beforehand. Where the savings really occur, though, is when discussing the type of treatment you will need. Since most insurance carriers offer anywhere from 50-80% coverage for minor or major restorative care, you can breathe a sigh of relief should you need a dental crown, root canal, tooth extraction, or another customized service.
Of course, before they agree to pay a portion of the bill, your dental insurance company will make sure you’ve already met your deductible and determine how much of your annual maximum remains for the year.
Other Options For Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
We understand that dental emergencies are always an inconvenience. This usually means that you may or may not have the available funds to pay for treatment when you need it most. If you’re uninsured or need help to pay for a more extensive service, we have available payment options to make the financial responsibility less burdensome. By enrolling in interest-free financing through CareCredit, you can establish a personal line of credit for you and your family.
You can choose a payment plan that allows you to make monthly payments, and should you discover you need additional time to pay off your remaining balance, you can inquire about extended payment plans with low, fixed interest rates.
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
It’s not always possible to prevent all dental emergencies, but you can take steps to improve the health of your smile and seek immediate treatment should you notice a problem occurring. Toothaches, infections, gum disease, and other similar issues can all be avoided if you maintain a good at-home oral hygiene routine, avoid sugary and starchy foods, wear the proper mouth protection, and give up unhealthy habits (i.e., smoking, eating ice, biting your fingernails).
In doing these things, you can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars on emergency dentistry, allowing you to instead, put that money toward a family vacation or a new car.
Also, should you discover pain, swelling, or bleeding inside your mouth, don’t wait to see an emergency dentist. Get to our office right away, so we can begin to provide the treatment you need to avoid more extensive and costly procedures.
Keys To Preventing Dental Emergencies
It’s always reassuring to know you have a trusted dental team to provide immediate treatment should you suffer a serious dental injury. However, isn’t it more assuring once you realize you can take special precautions to prevent dental emergencies? Believe it or not, there are some simple tips our team can provide that will set you up for a healthier, longer-lasting smile as long as you adhere to the following advice:
Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments
Our team is here to provide preventive services to minimize your risk of decay, damage, and infection. By keeping your regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings, you are putting yourself in an ideal spot to maintain healthier teeth and gums while reducing your chances of developing what could become a serious infection. During these visits, our team will examine your teeth and gums to ensure no damage or decay is developing. Not only does this safeguard your smile, but these visits also make it possible for us to check for oral cancer, which can be fatal if left untreated or undetected.
Keep Brushing And Flossing
Your at-home oral habits are almost equally as important at your six-month appointments with your dentist. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are essential if you want to keep your teeth and gums better protected in between appointments. By removing bacteria from your pearly whites and soft oral tissues (and your tongue), you can ensure a more balanced oral microbiome when you wake up and before you go to bed.
Be Mindful Of What You Eat
Carrots, celery, apples, sweet potatoes, romaine lettuce, lean turkey, fish, nuts, yogurt, cheese, and even kale are all nutrient-rich foods that promote healthier teeth and gums. Eating too many cookies, potato chips, and other sugary and starchy options can increase your risk for cavities and cause you to need extensive restorative dentistry if decay and disease are left untreated. Swapping out these foods for healthier options will leave you with more energy and the ability to maintain a beautiful smile that is free of tooth decay and gum disease.
Wear A Mouthguard To Protect Your Teeth
The foods you eat are not the only way you can protect your teeth. You should also wear a protective mouthguard if you are planning to play sports or if you suffer from bruxism, which is the grinding and clenching of teeth. These unique oral appliances serve as a cushion between your upper and lower arches, preventing significant pressure from being absorbed by a single tooth. Instead, they act as a barrier helping to spread out the impact so as not to affect one or two teeth.
Use Tools To Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
It’s far too easy to open a package or container with your teeth, but if you want to avoid a trip to the emergency dental office, you’re better off finding the appropriate tool for the job. While it’s true your tooth enamel is strong, it is not indestructible. The truth is, once you lose it, you cannot get it back, so it’s better to look for the right tool and save your pearly whites from serious damage.
Dental Emergency FAQs
When faced with a dental emergency, it’s easy to panic. The fear of losing a tooth or causing further damage to your smile can cause many patients to be unsure of what to do when dealing with this type of pain at home. At our office, however, our team is here to ensure you avoid uncertainty and instead, feel confident addressing your issue while waiting to see an emergency dentist. To help you better prepare, you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry below.
Should I Visit The Emergency Room First For Dental Emergencies?
We recommend that you do not visit the emergency room for a dental emergency unless one of the following occurs:
- You break or fracture your jaw
- You experience continuous bleeding that doesn’t cease after 10 minutes
- Swelling continues to increase, making it difficult to swallow
All other injuries can be treated at our dental office by our trusted professionals, as we are capable of not only eliminating the pain but also developing a treatment plan that will mitigate the issue. In an emergency room, they would only be able to provide pain relievers and antibiotics.
Do Chipped Teeth Heal?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body; however, it’s not indestructible, and it doesn’t grow back on its own. This outermost layer of your teeth cannot heal without the help of a professional, which is why no matter how minor or severe, it’s best to call and schedule an appointment with our team. Teeth are capable of remineralizing, but that’s the extent. Our team will be able to provide cosmetic and/or restorative treatment to repair the damage, restore your appearance, and improve your oral health.
Can I Fix Dentures That Are Broken In Half?
Only a skilled professional can fix a denture that is broken in half, so do not hesitate to reach out if you need this type of assistance. We can evaluate the broken denture to see if a repair is possible and also estimate how long a repair might last. In some cases, it might be more cost-effective and convenient for you to have a new, custom denture made. We will be sure to go over all your options in detail, of course.
Is My Tooth Pain From An Infection?
Depending on the type of pain, location, and other particular symptoms, there is a good chance your tooth pain is the result of an infection that has formed. Typically, if you notice that you have bad breath, tooth sensitivity, a loose tooth, reddening and swollen gums, and an oral sore near the bothersome tooth, you likely have an infection that needs to be treated right away. This is the only way to know for sure if what you are experiencing is an actual infection. If so, we’ll work quickly to get you the help you need.
How Long Can A Restoration Be Temporarily Attached?
When wearing temporary restorations, it’s important to remember that these are not meant to last forever. Only until the finalized crown, bridge, denture, or veneer is ready should you be committed to wearing this type of restoration. The length of time a temporary restoration can be expected to last varies with each situation.
If you have replaced a lost or damaged dental filling with the help of over-the-counter, temporary adhesive material, it’s important to remember that you should be scheduling time to see one of our dentists as soon as possible to properly address the problem.
More to Explore
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I'm Concerned About Gum Disease I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing Teeth I Would Like to Enhance My Smile My Child Needs a Dentist View Our Services