Emergency Dentist— Metairie, LA

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

While a dental emergency can seem scary, you shouldn’t worry much. We’ll walk you through what’ll happen at your upcoming treatment. To that end, here are four things you should expect:

• A Same-Day Visit – When you call us with an emergency, we’ll try to see you as soon as possible (preferably the same day). Our team will even offer first-aid tips to help you manage before your visit.
• Emergency Exam – Dr. Nelson will first give you an emergency exam when you arrive for care. By doing so, he’ll learn the source of your oral issue and how to relieve your pain.
• A Review of Findings – Following the exam, Dr. Nelson will share his findings with you and suggest some helpful procedures. He’ll then use your feedback to draft a custom treatment plan, which will ensure the best possible care. We’ll mention the relevant cost and time before you commit to anything.
• Crucial Dental Care – Our practice will start fixing your oral issue once the treatment plan is ready. Since our team is highly skilled and experienced, we can handle almost any dental issue. We’ll help your smile recover whether it needs a filling, dental crown, or something else.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

If you think you have a dental emergency, please contact us right away. We’ll try to see you as soon as possible and get you the care you need. While you wait, you can also take steps to manage the problem on your own; doing so will prepare you for your visit. All you need to do is click the relevant icon(s) below and use the related tips.

Tooth Extraction

Our number one goal is to always preserve your natural teeth, but sometimes, it may be necessary to remove one. This could be the case if:

• A tooth is too damaged to be restored
• Gum disease has damaged the bone supporting a tooth
• Room needs to be created for a denture
• Room needs to be created for orthodontic treatment
• If a weakened tooth needs to be replaced with a dental implant

In any case, Dr. Nelson will use a gentle touch and a generous amount of local anesthesia to make sure that you are completely comfortable during your extraction procedure.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is typically used to treat a tooth that has damage or an infection deep within its innermost chamber where the sensitive nerve resides. Despite what you may have heard in the past, it isn’t a painful procedure. Thanks to modern dental techniques, most of our patients actually say it feels very similar to getting a small filling. In truth, a root canal is actually one of the best tools we have to relieve severe dental pain and save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed. If you’re suffering from a severe toothache, it’s often the best way to treat it!

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

When it comes to the cost of emergency dental care, you can count on us to give you a trustworthy estimate based on the nature of your emergency and the type of treatment you need. On top of that, we can point you toward payment options that can make the cost of your care more budget-friendly. Our emergency dentist in Metairie wants to make the financial aspect of your care as stress-free as possible so that you can focus on getting your oral health back on track!

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Do you just need a filling to treat a slightly decayed tooth? Or do you have a severe tooth infection that requires root canal treatment? No two dental emergencies are exactly the same, so naturally, the cost of emergency dentistry in Metairie can vary significantly from patient to patient.

When you schedule an emergency appointment at our office, our team will perform a thorough examination of your mouth in order to determine the underlying cause of the problem. We will also need to evaluate the extent of the damage that has already occurred. After gathering the necessary information, we can put together a personalized treatment plan along with an estimate of the cost.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Every dental insurance plan is different, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with your benefits and how they can be used to help pay for emergency dental care. Many insurance plans will cover at least one emergency exam every year. Furthermore, you can typically expect your insurance company to offer at least partial coverage for many of the restorative services that are commonly associated with emergency dentistry. If you have questions about your dental insurance, feel free to let our team know.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you would rather not pay the full cost of your emergency dental care all at once, you may want to consider applying for financing with CareCredit or Cherry. Financing allows you to pay for your treatment in a series of monthly installments with little to no interest to worry about. This approach can make it easier to get the care your smile needs without breaking the bank.

On top of that, uninsured patients have the option of signing up for our in-house membership plan. One of the major benefits of this plan is that it covers one emergency exam per year. Furthermore, members can also enjoy a 15% discount on various services.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

If you don’t want to have to worry about fitting emergency dental care into your budget, then you should make taking care of your smile a priority. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, you should also visit your dentist every six months for routine checkups and cleanings. These simple steps can go a long way toward reducing your chances of experiencing urgent dental problems that require costly treatment. 

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Not every dental emergency is avoidable, but you can reduce your risk of having one.  Simply use the following tips:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Floss once a day to remove plaque that weakens your teeth.
• See us for dental checkups and cleanings every six months.
• To protect your mouth from sports and teeth grinding, wear a mouthguard.
• Don’t chew on ice, fingernails, and other hard objects.
• Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages, boxes, etc.

Dental Emergency FAQs