Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them to—and unfortunately, they have a knack for occurring when it’s least convenient! In fact, 1 in 6 Americans require some form of urgent dental care every year. That said, if you find yourself experiencing a dental emergency, panic can quickly set in if you don’t have dental insurance. But payment should be the last thing on your mind if your oral health is in jeopardy! Here’s everything you should know about visiting an emergency dentist without dental insurance.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Typically, most abnormal symptoms that occur inside the mouth, including everything from oral pain to unusual swelling, require professional treatment. However, some issues necessitate more immediate action, including:
- A loose or displaced (knocked out) permanent tooth.
- A fractured or cracked tooth.
- A lost or damaged filling, crown, bridge, or other type of restoration.
- Painful inflammation that isn’t diminishing.
- A traumatic jaw injury.
- Uncontrollable oral bleeding.
If you’ve sustained a dental injury that is resulting in life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, then you should call 9-1-1 or head to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, you should contact your emergency dentist promptly to schedule treatment.
Why You Should Absolutely Seek Treatment (Even Without Insurance)
The sad reality is that some patients don’t seek necessary dental treatment, whether it’s preventive care or emergency care, because they’re worried about the financial implications and hit their wallet will take. They believe they’re saving a little money by not visiting the dentist; but this is not the case! It’s estimated that every $1 spent on preventive care can save you roughly $8 – $50 on restorative and cosmetic care down the road. That makes preventive oral care (and obviously emergency treatment) a pretty darn good long-term investment in that it can save you money on future emergency care!
How to Make Urgent Dental Care More Affordable
Dental insurance, by design, is meant to make your life easier by making dental care much more affordable. However, it’s certainly not the only option you have; some dentist offices offer special membership plans that work similarly to dental insurance, but without some of the restrictions and complications like annual maximums and deductibles. Other options include financing plans through third-party financers; with lower or non-existent interest rates, the cost of urgent care is broken up and easier to manage.
The fact of the matter is, lacking dental insurance won’t prevent you from receiving urgent dental care when you need it, and you certainly don’t have to worry about being turned down for not having insurance! With several other flexible and widely available options, getting your smile help is a simple and straightforward task.
About the Practice
The team at Lake Nona Dental Group is honored to serve patients in Orlando and the surrounding area from their Moss Park Rd. and Jack Brack Rd. locations. The practice is pleased to offer a wide range of available services including emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone: (407) 277-1779.
