Emergency Dentist Arlington

Same-Day Care in Your Moment of Need

Woman with tooth pain needing emergency dentist in Arlington

We know how frightening it can be when something goes wrong with your oral health. Whether it’s a sports injury or a toothache that wakes you up in the middle of the night, suddenly your teeth are all you can think about, and you’re wishing you could just go back to before it happened. Your emergency dentist in Arlington understands -- and he’s here to help. Dr. James T. Gray and our team are the ones to turn to when you need professional attention for an injured, damaged, or aching tooth!

Why Choose James T. Gray, DDS for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation Offered

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Dentist speaking to male dental patient in Arlington
  • Call Us: When you call our office, you’ll get in touch with one of our knowledgeable team members who can walk you through any first aid guidelines as well as schedule a same-day appointment for you.
  • Come In: When you arrive at our office, our dental team will collect any necessary diagnostic images, like X-rays, and Dr. Gray will complete a thorough oral examination of your teeth and gums. This will allow us to determine the cause of your underlying pain or symptoms and come up with a treatment plan.
  • Get Treated: Once we develop your treatment plan, we’ll walk you through it and answer any questions you may have. When you consent to moving forward with the process, our team will schedule a visit for your procedure to improve your smile’s health.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

It can be difficult trying to determine what dental situation requires emergency treatment. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common issues we see below. If you’re unsure, we always recommend giving us a call so we can help you determine whether a same-day appointment is necessary.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Man in dental chair smiling and giving a thumbs up

Since dental emergencies often happen without warning, you may find yourself worrying about finding room in your budget for any unexpected treatments that you might need. We aim to be as transparent as possible regarding the fees for our services, and we can help you take full advantage of financial options that can make paying for treatment easier. Below is a brief look at the basics that you’ll need to know when it comes to the cost of emergency dental care.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Woman sitting on chair with tooth pain

Is your dental emergency the result of a sudden accident, or is it a consequence of poor dental hygiene? Does it involve one tooth or multiple? The nature and severity of your emergency will help determine the kind of treatment that you need – thereby also determining the cost of your care. Since there are so many different forms that a dental emergency might take, we can’t give you an estimate until we know more about your situation. This is just one more reason why it’s important to get to our office as soon as you can so that we can examine your mouth.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance form on a wide computer monitor

Not all dental insurance plans offer the exact same coverage, so you should talk to your provider to make sure that you have a good grasp of your benefits. With that said, many plans will cover at least one emergency dental exam annually. When it comes to any restorative treatments that may be required to get your oral health back on track, coverage is often around 50% for major procedures and 80% for minor ones. If you’re not sure how to maximize your benefits, talk to our team. We can take a look at your plan with you and clear up any questions or concerns you might have.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable  

Senior woman sitting in dental chair and smiling

If you don’t have traditional dental insurance, we can help you explore alternatives for managing any costs associated with the treatment for your dental emergency. One option is to apply for financing from CareCredit or Cherry Financing. With this approach, you don’t have to pay the full cost of care upfront; you can break it into smaller installments instead. One of the advantages of financing through CareCredit or Cherry Financing is that you can pick a plan that has low or no interest.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Senior man smiling and brushing his teeth

There’s no way to guarantee that a dental emergency will never happen, but you can significantly lower the risk. Good oral hygiene is essential for protecting your smile from decay and infection, thus potentially allowing you to avoid problems that could eventually turn into emergencies. Additionally, attending regular dental checkups can increase the likelihood of having dental issues caught and treated long before costly emergency care is required.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will a toothache go away on its own?

Although you may no longer feel the pain associated with your toothache, you should not assume that the problem is also gone. Usually, this is a clear indicator that something more severe is at work, like an infection that causes the nerve tissue to die. Instead of hoping the situation will clear up on its own, it’s essential that you schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Gray. Failing to do so will only result in declining oral health, which can have a serious effect on the rest of your body and overall well-being.

Should you put a knocked-out tooth in water?

If you want to make sure that your knocked-out tooth remains viable until you reach your dentist’s office, do not store it in a container of water. Instead, you should place it in milk or saliva. The reason water is highly discouraged is that it can cause the cells of the tooth root to swell up and burst. As a result, your dentist will likely be unable to save it.

The best course of action is to try and reinsert it into the socket immediately after it falls out. This will increase the possibility of Dr. Gray being able to reimplant the tooth once you arrive in our office.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

If you have a toothache at night, trying to sleep can seem impossible. Fortunately, there are things you can do to alleviate additional pressure and pain while getting a good night’s rest. You can:

  • Elevate your head so that the blood does not rush to this area of your body and intensify the toothache.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize discomfort while you sleep.
  • Avoid eating any hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, as this will only cause more pressure to be placed on your aching tooth.
  • Use a cold compress to reduce tooth pain and swelling.

Can I fix dentures that are broken in half?

When faced with a broken denture, do not attempt to repair it on your own. Many patients try to use superglue, but this is a highly toxic chemical that can cause an allergic reaction and does not work well in moist areas. Instead, call our office and let us know about your dental emergency in Arlington. We’ll schedule an appointment time for you to come in and be seen by Dr. Gray.

After reviewing the extent of the damage, he will decide whether you need a full replacement or if one of our cosmetic solutions is enough to repair the break. This might include direct bonding – a solution that uses composite resin to repair minor flaws.

If you have an extra denture, feel free to wear it until you are scheduled to see your dentist.

Toothaches

Chipped Tooth

Cracked Tooth

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth