Emergency Dentist – Morristown, NJ
Need Urgent Dental Care? Call Us Now
It’s all too easy to be caught unprepared for a dental emergency, which is why it’s important to have a plan in place for dealing with one. Naturally, this plan should involve a call to your dentist; the ER likely won’t be equipped to handle issues such as toothaches or missing teeth. Here at Skyline Dental of Morristown, we gladly accept emergency patients, and we can set up same-day dental appointments whenever necessary. Reach out to us right away if you need urgent dental care from Dr. Henkin and the rest of our highly experienced dental team.
Why Choose Skyline Dental of Morristown for Emergency Dentistry?
- Early, Late, and Saturday Appointments
- State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
- We Accept All PPO Dental Insurance Plans
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Our team will work to help restore your oral health and put a stop to your pain as quickly as possible. Here are the steps that we typically follow when our patients need urgent dental care:
- Schedule a Same-Day Appointment: We’ll try to see you on the same day that you call our office. We offer late hours on all weekdays (except for Wednesday), and we can see you on Saturday if needed. Our team can give you advice over the phone for managing your symptoms.
- Perform an Emergency Exam: When you arrive, we’ll focus on helping you find relief from your immediate pain, and we’ll work to identify what’s causing your dental issue. In many cases, our team will need to take X-rays of your mouth.
- Review Our Findings: We’ll explain what we found in your mouth and go over what treatments can help. You can count on our team to work alongside you to put together a treatment plan, and we’ll keep you informed of the likely cost and the length of each recommended procedure.
- Get the Care You Need: You shouldn’t be forced to live with dental damage or pain any longer than necessary. Whatever type of treatment you need, we’ll work to complete it as quickly as possible to help you get back a healthy smile.
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Some dental emergencies are caused by accidents that come out of nowhere; for example, you might get hit in the face while playing sports and end up with broken teeth. On the other hand, certain emergencies may be linked to dental issues that slowly grow worse over time, such as a toothache caused by advanced decay. It’s best to call our office as soon as you realize that you have an emergency situation on your hands; it’s never a good idea to delay care any longer than necessary. Here are some examples of common dental emergencies that our team can help you with.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
You shouldn’t let fears of a large dental bill stop you from getting the care you need when you’re suffering from a serious dental problem. Especially since our team will be transparent about the cost of your emergency care and also help you find ways to make it more affordable. After giving you an estimate that you can rely on, we’ll walk you through your payment options so that you can start making a plan that’s right for both your smile and your bank account.
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
The reason there isn’t a flat fee for emergency dentistry is because no two situations are exactly the same. For example, one patient might be coming in for an emergency visit because their gums are swollen and bleeding, and the next may need immediate care because they knocked out a tooth. These are two very different situations that require two very different treatments. Rest assured, we will review all of your treatment options upfront, provide you with an estimate of the cost, and help you navigate the financial side of your care so it isn’t overwhelming or stressful.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
If you have dental insurance, there’s good news: your provider may cover a portion of the cost of the care you need! So, make sure to bring your membership card with you to your appointment. That way, we can take a look at your plan, determine if you have any available benefits, and, if you do, maximize them to the fullest. Since we are in-network with several popular providers, including Cigna, Principal, Ameritas, and Aetna, we can make the process of understanding and utilizing your benefits easy.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay! Our patients who are uninsured can make the cost of the care they need more affordable with CareCredit. This trusted third-party financier offers payment plans so you don’t have to pay for the whole thing in one lump sum. Instead, you can space out the cost into smaller monthly chunks that work with your budget. Want more details? Give us a call so we can answer any questions you have and show you where to sign up!
Take Care of Your Smile, Save Money!
Remember, tender gums, pain when biting down, and persistent sensitivity are all warning signs of trouble. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule an appointment with our Morristown emergency dentist ASAP. In addition to alleviating any pain you’re experiencing, Dr. Henkin will treat the root of the problem before it has a chance to progress any further, saving you time and money in the process.
Tip: Prioritize good dental care habits too! Although brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently at home may not seem like a huge deal, they dramatically reduce your risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and other common oral health problems.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Do you want to minimize the odds of a dental emergency happening? We have good news: there are simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums, dramatically reducing your risk of sustaining a serious injury in the process. Here are a few!
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Remember, even if you aren’t experiencing any abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down, you need to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. If you don’t, cavities, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues can develop (and progress!) for weeks, months, or years, wreaking havoc on your smile in the process. The easiest way to prevent that from happening is by prioritizing essential preventive care and getting any restorative treatments you need right away.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Another way to lower your risk for oral health issues is by practicing good oral hygiene every day. That starts by brushing your teeth for two full minutes when you wake up in the morning and extends to flossing and rinsing with mouthwash before you go to bed at night. Outside of that, make sure that you clean your toothbrush holder periodically, that you discard any expired products, and that you get a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every quarter so you aren’t using old, frayed bristles.
Eat Plenty of Healthy, Well-Balanced Meals
Simply put, eating healthy, well-balanced meals will benefit your oral health. Conversely, eating sticky or tough foods can cause dental damage. That’s why we recommend limiting your intake of hard pretzels, candy canes, peanut brittle, and other snacks with a tough consistency. We also encourage our patients not to chew on ice cubes – it won’t be long until your teeth give under the pressure!
Do What You Can To Protect Your Teeth
Do you like to stay active by playing sports, lifting weights, or running? If so, get in touch with us so we can have a custom mouthguard made for you. Remember, accidents can occur even during low-contact sports, like skateboarding or surfing, so it’s smart to wear a mouthguard even if it’s not required.
Important note: We also recommend wearing a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth at night. That way, your teeth are protected from the pressure, reducing the risk of them chipping or cracking.
Break Bad Habits
Habits like biting your nails may seem harmless, but they can actually increase your risk of serious dental injuries. For that reason, we encourage our patients to take a look at their habits and see where there is room for improvement. A great example is always taking the time to find scissors when opening packages instead of using your teeth, or chewing on sugar-free gum instead of biting your nails when you feel nervous.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
How Can I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
While we don’t recommend trying to “sleep off” a toothache, we also recognize that getting to our office the same day for the care you need isn’t always possible or necessary. So, we’re sharing some easy ways to alleviate your discomfort until you get to our office for the emergency treatment (or treatments) you need.
First, eat bland, soft foods at dinner, like cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and oatmeal. Then, about 30 minutes before bed, take OTC pain medication and start using a cold compress in 10-minute intervals. Once you get under the covers, prop yourself up on a few pillows so your head stays elevated throughout the night.
Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
Only if you are experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms (i.e., uncontrollable bleeding, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing). If you aren’t, then your first call should be to our Morristown dental office because hospitals don’t usually have dentists on-staff. Over the phone, we will ask you a few questions to learn more about your situation, schedule an exam (the same day, if necessary), and provide you with helpful instructions on how to handle your dental injury until then.
My Toothache Went Away. Do I Still Need to Come In?
If you’ve been struggling with a painful toothache for weeks, months, or years, but it suddenly went away, it’s not the good news you might think it is. Most of the time, it’s due to the nerve dying. While that does mean your symptoms will subside, it does not mean the root of the problem is gone. In fact, it’s very much still present. So, don’t wait any longer to schedule an appointment with us. Our goal is to quickly assess the extent of the damage, review your treatment options, and get to work on treating the root of the problem before your surrounding teeth and gums are compromised as well.
Do I Need to Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?
Oftentimes, slight chips don’t come with sensitivity, discomfort, or pain. However, we do still recommend scheduling an appointment with us. That way, we can take a look at your tooth to make sure it isn’t at risk of breaking further or developing an infection.
What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?
Chronic bad breath could be the result of several things, including your diet and your oral hygiene regimen (or lack thereof). So, try eliminating pickles, onions, garlic, and other pungent foods from your diet while simultaneously focusing on brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. If the odor persists, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us so we can conduct an oral exam.
Are Bleeding Gums a Dental Emergency?
You may have heard that it’s normal for your gums to bleed. In reality, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, schedule an appointment with us ASAP so we can determine if an infection is present. If that’s the case, then we will move on to the next step: figuring out how to eliminate it or manage it.