Emergency Dentist — Chesterfield, MO
Relieve Pain & Renew Your Smile
Having an emergency dentist on call is like having a good plumber: most of the time, you hopefully don’t need them, but when you do, you want them fast! If you or a loved one injure your teeth in an accident or develop severe dental pain in Chesterfield, you now have an easy way to get the immediate care that you need: call Yenzer Family Dental of Chesterfield for urgent emergency dentistry in Chesterfield, MO.
Dr. Jeff Yenzer and our team will be there for you right when you need us the most. When you call in with an emergency, we’ll be ready to offer advice, give first-aid tips, and even provide same-day care if needed. We’ll even come in on the weekends if your situation is particularly urgent. In short, if you have dental pain and want it to go away now, Yenzer Family Dental of Chesterfield should always be your first call.
Why Choose Yenzer Family Dental of Chesterfield for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Evening/Weekend Office Hours
- Highly Experienced Dentist in a Modern Office
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Call our office: When you call our practice, a team member will take note of your symptoms and do their best to provide first-aid tips over the phone as well as schedule you for an emergency appointment. We work hard to get you seen the same day, especially if you are experiencing dental pain or significantly damaged teeth.
- Emergency exam: As soon as you arrive, we’ll get you checked in and take you to one of our operatories so Dr. Yenzer can perform a dedicated exam. This process may involve taking digital X-rays in order to pinpoint the exact location and cause of your symptoms.
- Reviewing our findings: Dr. Yenzer will break down his findings with you directly, then provide recommendations for a treatment that will best address your concerns. He’ll also work diligently to get you out of discomfort before you leave the office. As part of his recommendation, we’ll go over the estimated costs and length of your care, which could require follow-ups depending on your emergency.
- Getting you the care you need: Whether you need a dental filling, crown, root canal therapy, tooth extraction, or another service, we’ll work as quickly as possible to get your oral health back on track.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Even if you are unsure whether or not your situation is an emergency, go ahead and give us a call, and we’ll let you know what to do next. Often, we’re able to help people resolve their issue over the phone. If we can’t, then we’ll make arrangements to see you as soon as possible. In the meantime, consider the tips below to manage your emergency before you arrive.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies can be a major drag (and sometimes unavoidable), there are ways you can dramatically reduce the chances that you’ll ever experience one. All it takes is following a few key habits day-to-day and staying proactive about prevention. Below, you can read some of the most useful tips from Dr. Yenzer and his team. In the event you’re concerned there’s something wrong with your smile, don’t be afraid to give us a call!
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Come see us for regular checkups and cleanings so we can stop little problems from becoming emergencies later. We recommend visiting at least once every six months. During your exam, we can catch early signs of problems and treat them while they are still minor, rather than be reactive towards a serious issue (like major decay or infection) that’s already appeared. We can also remove plaque and tartar from teeth, the latter of which can only be removed by a dental professional (such as a hygienist).
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Brush and floss consistently to keep your teeth strong and infection-free. When performing at-home brushing, you’ll need to clean your teeth for at least two minutes at a time twice a day to keep plaque levels low. Flossing is also key to cleaning the sides of teeth (where a toothbrush cannot reach) and removing food debris stuck in your mouth. Since you won’t be visiting us every day to have your mouth professionally cleaned, these habits are vital.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Your diet has a larger impact on your oral health than you may realize. Oral hygiene matters, but so does the food you expose your enamel to. For example, if you eat a lot of sugar or starch every day, oral bacteria will find it much easier to produce plaque acids that harm teeth. Be sure to include foods into your diet that are conducive to oral health, including fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins and dairy products can also help you retain healthy enamel and bone health.
Wear a Mouthguard
Wear a mouthguard when playing sports (contact or otherwise!) One of the most common causes of dental emergencies outside of tooth decay are physical injuries while playing sports. A custom-made mouthguard can offer the best protection in the long-term over a store-bought solution. If you grind your teeth at night while you sleep, a nightguard can help you avoid cracking or chipping your teeth as well.
Avoid chewing on ice or other extremely hard items as these can easily damage your teeth permanently. Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages. Instead, keep the right tool for the job nearby so you aren’t inclined to use your mouth. If you have a nail-biting habit or other concern that you’re struggling to break, speak with our team directly for guidance.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
While there are several kinds of dental emergencies, not all of them will be treated in the same way. For example, a tooth infection may require a root canal, whereas a mildly chipped tooth would simply need direct bonding. Since urgent dental situations can vary, you’ll need to schedule an examination with our team so that we can determine which treatment you’ll need as well as a price range. Read along to learn more about the cost of emergency dentistry in Chesterfield and alternative financing options you can consider!
Every Dental Emergency is Different
One of the most important factors that can influence the overall price of your dental emergency is the specific treatment necessary for your particular situation. After all, a chipped tooth will need to be treated differently compared to a knocked-out tooth. Even between two people who are both struggling with a severe toothache, one might require an easy and cost-effective filling whereas the other might need a root canal and a dental crown. By visiting us for an examination, our team will be able to assess your dental emergency, determine the proper treatment(s) for it, and provide a more accurate estimate of the final cost.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Even if it’s best to regularly schedule dental checkups twice a year, seeking early preventive care to protect your smile is much less expensive than needing to treat a dental emergency. Not only do routine visits allow Dr. Yenzer to monitor your oral health and ensure any developing issues are addressed ahead of time, but you’ll also save time and money in the long term. If it’s been longer than six months and you want to be sure your pearly whites are healthy and safe, then give us a call today for a checkup and cleaning!
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Since emergency dentistry is an essential treatment to preserve your dental and overall health, many dental insurance companies will be willing to cover a majority of the cost every year. Even the most common procedures used to deal with urgent dental situations, like a dental crown, typically receive 50% or more coverage. However, each policy will vary from patient to patient. For this reason, you should double-check with your provider about the details of your plan. You can also consult our team so that we can help you make the most of your benefits. Make sure to seek treatment as soon as you notice an oral health issue, as dental insurance companies usually cover more of the cost for less invasive treatments.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, you might still be eligible for alternative payment options. These include:
- Flexible financing: We work with CareCredit—a third-party financier—that offers multiple payment plans that can break up the cost of treatment into monthly installments with little-to-no interest.
- Smile Advantage program: With just one low annual fee, you can have access to significant discounts on preventive services and other various treatments.
Dental Emergency FAQs
If you’re like many Americans, you probably never expected a dental emergency to happen to you. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, it’s normal to have several concerns and thoughts racing through your head, but there isn’t any reason to worry. Your emergency dentist in Chesterfield is here for you. Dr. Yenzer will stop your pain and save your smile. To help calm your nerves, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions our patients ask us about dental emergencies.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Nothing is worse than a persistent toothache. Although you might believe the occasional toothache is normal, it’s never a good sign. Typically, it means you have an untreated dental issue in your mouth, like a fracture, cavity, or gum disease. Without the right treatment, the problem will continue to worsen, so your toothache won’t dissipate on its own. You need to see an emergency dentist to find the source of your discomfort for the right intervention. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage your toothache until you see your dentist.
Should I go to the hospital or emergency room first?
Typically, when an emergency strikes, you would head to the closest hospital; however, most aren’t equipped for oral health issues. In many situations, it’s best to contact a dentist for a dental emergency in Chesterfield, but there are some exceptions. If you suspect a jaw fracture or dislocation, you’ll want to go to the hospital first. This is also the case if you have serious lacerations, an abscess or swelling that affects breathing, or a medical issue, like head trauma. We’ll be here for you after you’ve gotten the care you need. If you’re unsure whether you should go to the hospital or dentist, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’ll learn more about your situation to point you in the right direction.
How should I sleep with a toothache?
It can be almost impossible to get any rest while waiting for your dentist to open the following morning. If you’re struggling to sleep because of a toothache, you can try a few things to help you doze off, such as sleeping with your head elevated. This will prevent the blood from pooling in your head, which can cause the throbbing in your mouth to worsen. You can also take an OTC pain reliever and apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth to reduce your discomfort. Dr. Yenzer also recommends avoiding any acidic, cold, or hot foods before going to bed to prevent aggravating the tooth.
Will a chipped tooth heal?
Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it isn’t indestructible. Unfortunately, it cannot regenerate, so it will not grow back if you chip a tooth. Even if it appears to be minor, you still need to see an emergency dentist because your tooth will be vulnerable to additional damage. They’ll repair your tooth and restore its function and appearance.