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Emergency Dentist West Seneca, NY

Broken Tooth? Give Us a Call!

When you find yourself in a dental emergency, it can be difficult to know where you should turn for help. Should you go to the emergency room? Should you contact your emergency dentist in West Seneca? Well, unless you have broken bones or have been bleeding for longer than 10 minutes, our dental office can offer the treatment you need. In fact, we suggest saving our number in your phone just in case you or a loved one goes through a dental emergency, and we’ll do our best to see you on the same day for emergency dentistry in West Seneca, NY. If you have a painful, knocked-out, or broken tooth, give us a call!

Why Choose Applegate Dental PLLC for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Variety of Services Under One Roof
  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Sedation Options for Maximum Comfort

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Pained man holding jaw and needing his West Seneca emergency dentist

  • Step 1: Call Us As Soon As You Can. Time is of the essence for most dental emergencies, so call us right away so we can schedule you for a same-day emergency appointment.
  • Step 2: Get First-Aid Instructions Over the Phone. When you call our dental office, our helpful team can guide you through the situation and give you tips to deal with the emergency until you arrive. 
  • Step 3: Visit Us for An Emergency Dental Exam. When you reach our office, one of our highly trained and experienced dentists will see you right away to evaluate your situation and alleviate your pain.
  • Step 4: Review the Findings and Make a Plan. Your West Seneca emergency dentist will review their findings with you and fully explain all your treatment options, including their estimated length and cost, to help you make a well-informed decision about your care.
  • Step 5: Get the Fast, Professional Care You Need. Once you have created a custom treatment plan with your dentist, our team will get to work right away. For patients who are anxious or uncomfortable, we may recommend sedation options for a relaxing treatment.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them, and they can be unsettling or even frightening. Luckily, our team here at Applegate Dental PLLC is here to help! Although we have our main dental emergency page, there are other situations you could face that require urgent care. Give our team a call, and we’ll be happy to give you advice and schedule you as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are some common scenarios and how to handle these dental emergencies in West Seneca, NY.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Money and dental tools

Each dental emergency is unique. Even if two patients come in with the same issue, their treatment can differ based on their individual needs. This customization makes giving general estimates without an evaluation at our office nearly impossible. However, one thing is true no matter the dental emergency: you should never wait to seek professional help. Oral issues do not improve over time—they just get worse! If you put off taking care of the problem, it will require more invasive procedures and more expensive treatment. Read on to learn more about the cost of dental emergencies in West Seneca.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Man in dental chair holding his cheek in pain

In general, dental emergencies originate from one of two causes. They can come from decay that has been allowed to remain through insufficient hygiene or from a dental injury of some sort. In most of these cases, bacteria have access to the more vulnerable and more sensitive center of the tooth and have the potential to cause serious damage to your smile and pain. Here are some examples of a dental emergency:

  • Partially or entirely knocked-out tooth
  • Toothache
  • Broken or chipped tooth
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Abscess in the gums

Each different type of dental emergency will require a different type of treatment, and thus, cost a different amount.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

dental insurance paperwork for the cost of emergency dental treatment in West Seneca

In order to get the maximum value from your dental insurance benefits, you need to take advantage of your preventive care services. However, most insurance plans also partially cover emergency-type care. For example, you may be responsible for paying around 50% of the cost for major restorative work, such as a dental crown. Our team at Applegate Dental PLLC is happy to look deep into your insurance plan to find ways for you to save as much as possible.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Woman with healthy smile visiting her West Seneca emergency dentist

A toothache or damaged tooth can make life difficult, not to mention painful. But if you’re not careful and fail to act quickly to resolve the problem, you can get hurt a second time—when you get your bill. With some medical conditions, such as a cold, the patient can recover from the illness on their own over time and often do not require professional help. However, the same cannot be said for any dental problem. These issues never go away without some intervention from a dentist. In fact, they will only get worse as time passes. This means that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the higher your treatment cost is likely to become. For instance, a minor issue to fix today may progress into a more complex and expensive issue down the road. On the other hand, the sooner you get the problem fixed, the less you’ll likely have to pay. No matter what treatment you need, our caring team at Applegate Dental PLLC will work with you to make your emergency dental work as affordable as possible.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Close up of healthy smile after toothache treatment in West Seneca

Did you know that most dental emergencies can be avoided? At Applegate Dental PLLC, our team of experts is always here to help when a crisis occurs, but we are also available to provide beneficial tips and advice on ways to protect your smile from danger and possible damage. We know not all accidents are preventable, but if you want to take extra precautions to keep your smile from becoming chipped, cracked, or broken, we invite you to take a look at the few tips we recommend on how to prevent dental emergencies for our West Seneca, NY dental patients.

Practice Good Dental Habits

Woman using floss to prevent dental emergencies in West Seneca

The first step to greater protection is maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing twice daily for two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash are extremely effective as combating tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities. This daily routine also serves to give your smile a better chance of avoiding damage, especially if you are using products designed to strengthen enamel and improve gum health.

Avoid Chewing on Hard Foods & Items

Closeup of woman headed for chipped tooth in West Seneca chewing on ice

Whether you have a bad habit of chewing on pens and pencils while at your desk, or you prefer to snack on crunchy peanut brittle and hard candy, your teeth will ultimately suffer. Why? Over time, your tooth enamel can begin to wear down. Age, daily use, and unnecessary pressure can cause teeth to weaken, chip, crack, and become fractured. By choosing to eat foods that are hard and crunchy, and opting to chew on inanimate objects, you will speed up the process of wear and tear, leaving your teeth vulnerable to damage and decay.

Instead of reaching for that pen on your desk, keep sugarless gum in your pocket. Want to take a bite of a juicy apple? Try cutting it up into more manageable bites so your teeth do not suffer the consequences.

Invest in a Quality Mouthguard

Outstretched hand holding mouthguard to prevent dental emergencies in West Seneca

Do you enjoy playing sports? Are you prone to grinding your teeth at night? If you said “yes” to one or both of these questions, it is time you invested in a mouthguard. Your dentist in West Seneca can provide you with a custom-made oral device that is designed to fit comfortably in your mouth while protecting your teeth and soft tissues from injury.

It does not matter if you are preparing for a hard-hitting tackle on the field or simply want your teeth to remain intact while asleep at night, a mouthguard can give your teeth and gums the protection they need, so you can look and feel great about your smile.

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

Woman headed for cracked tooth in West Seneca chewing on bottlecap

Our teeth are designed to chew and gnaw through food, not containers or packages. Scissors, bottle cap removers, and other actual tools can and should be used to open items that can seriously harm your smile. One minor slip trying to remove a bottle cap can result in an emergency trip to the dentist’s office or worse, the emergency room.

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

man who is experiencing a dental emergency in West Seneca

In a dental emergency in West Seneca, your mind can race through so many thoughts and questions. We’d like to help answer a few for you, so you can focus on what you need to do next. Below are our responses to some of the most common questions about emergency dentistry. We hope it eases your mind and makes your situation a little less stressful! We’re here to help you get back to oral health as quickly as possible.

Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?

Although you are experiencing a dental emergency, in most situations, you should not go to the emergency room. Most hospitals do not have a dental expert on staff or the required equipment to treat emergency patients with dental issues. The most they can do is prescribe antibiotics and possibly pain medication; however, the cause behind your tooth pain will still be there, causing you discomfort and harming your smile. That’s why we say your first call should be to Applegate Dental PLLC! We’re here to quickly take care of the actual problem and relieve your pain safely.

What If I Do Nothing about My Dental Emergency?

If your dental emergency isn’t painful, it may be tempting to skip an urgent visit to the dentist altogether. It’s true that a chipped tooth may not be as urgent as other emergencies, but even a minor chip could lead to additional problems later on. The inner layers of the tooth, which are more sensitive, could be exposed to bacteria and develop a cavity. If you already have a toothache from a cavity, it can only get worse, possibly killing the tooth or spreading to other teeth. No dental issue gets better over time, which is why it’s important to stop it as soon as possible.

Can I Fix Dentures That Have Broken in Half?

If your dentures break, do not try to continue wearing them. They can harm your gums and feel very uncomfortable. You may be tempted to use superglue or another adhesive to fix the restoration on your own. However, some of the chemicals in those products are toxic. In most situations, broken dentures need to be replaced entirely so that you can experience a comfortable fit again.

What If I Can’t Afford Emergency Dentistry?

In an effort to save on the cost of dental treatment, some patients wait to see the dentist for as long as possible. However, you should do the opposite! The earlier you can resolve the problem, the less it is likely to cost to treat. At Applegate Dental PLLC, we also understand that paying for certain procedures may stretch your budget a little too thin, which is why we accept payment through CareCredit. We can walk you through each step of the application, so you can break up the cost into easier monthly payments.

More to Explore

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Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Absolutely! If you are experiencing any dental discomfort, you should contact us right away. You don’t have to suffer in silence because pain is typically a sign of something wrong. Most often, a toothache indicates that the center of the tooth, where the nerve is located, has been exposed to bacteria, whether from a deep crack or decay. This problem will only get worse over time, potentially leading to the entire tooth dying.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

After calling our dental office in West Seneca, you may take over-the-counter pain reliever. This should help tremendously, but you may also apply a cold compress to your face, which should also help with any swelling. Keep your mouth clean by swishing warm salt water and avoid eating with that area of your mouth.

How We Treat Toothaches

A toothache can be remedied through several treatments depending on the severity of the damage to your tooth. Most of the time, root canal therapy is needed to remove the source of the pain. In this procedure, we remove the tooth’s nerve and other decayed or damaged structure, block bacteria from getting inside the tooth, and restore it with a filling or crown. Keep in mind, however, that more extreme cases may require tooth extraction.

Learn More about Root Canal Therapy

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Learn More about Tooth Extraction

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Although a chipped tooth may sometimes be a purely cosmetic problem, it is still deemed a dental emergency because most patients want the problem fixed immediately. A chipped tooth can affect appearance and function, so we definitely encourage anyone who experiences this to reach out to us for an emergency visit.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

If possible, find the piece(s) of your tooth and bring it with you to your appointment with us in West Seneca. Avoid using that part of your mouth for eating, and keep it clean. Does your tooth have a sharp edge or point? You can put dental wax or sugar-free gum on the tooth to protect your gums, tongue, cheeks, and lips.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth 

Based on your unique situation, we offer several treatments that can help in this scenario. For instance, we may be able to reattach the chipped piece of tooth or fill it in with composite resin. In other situations, we may need to use a porcelain veneer or dental crown to cover it up. Regardless, you can leave our office feeling confident in your smile again.

Learn More about Porcelain Veneers

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Cracked Tooth 

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Yes, it is. Even if a cracked tooth doesn’t cause you pain right away, it is considered an urgent dental emergency because it allows bacteria access to the inner layers of the tooth, which are more vulnerable and sensitive. If your tooth has cracked, you need to get in touch with us sooner rather than later to fix the problem before it gets any worse.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Once you’ve scheduled your visit with your emergency dentist in West Seneca, rinse your mouth with clean, warm salt water to keep the tooth as clean as possible. Don’t eat with that area of your mouth, and try to avoid foods and drinks that could trigger pain, such as hot coffee, cold ice cream, or sugary juice.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth 

The treatment we use greatly depends on how badly damaged the tooth is. For minor, cosmetic cracks, we can cover the front of the tooth with a porcelain veneer or composite resin bonding. More advanced cracks may need to be protected with a dental crown to hold the tooth together, but if the crack extends below the gums, the tooth may need to be removed entirely, at which point we can talk about your replacement options.

Learn More about Porcelain Veneers

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Learn More about Tooth Extraction

Learn More about Dental Implants

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Perhaps. Some dental sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugary substances is the result of normal wear and tear on your teeth. In this case, you don’t need to be concerned. However, if you notice a change in your sensitivity, or if it progresses to pain, you may need to see an emergency dentist right away. Our team in West Seneca can help you find out whether your sensitivity points to a serious problem or not.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

Pay close attention to tooth sensitivity and what triggers your discomfort. Try to avoid those things if you can by using a straw. Also, continue brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing your teeth every day to keep your mouth as clean as possible. If you experience any changes to your sensitivity, particularly if it gets worse, give our team a call. In some situations, you can wait until your next checkup appointment to tell us about your sensitive teeth.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth 

Depending on the severity and cause of your tooth sensitivity, your treatment may vary. If your enamel is simply worn down, we may put dental bonding, or composite resin, over your teeth to provide extra protection. If we discover decay, we can remove it and restore your tooth with either a filling or dental crown.

Learn about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn about Dental Crowns

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Definitely! Your adult teeth are supposed to last a lifetime, so if one gets knocked out, it needs to be treated right away. In fact, quick action is particularly important in this scenario because the tooth is viable only for a short time. After an hour following the incident, the odds of saving the tooth decrease significantly, which is why we encourage anyone with a knocked-out tooth to contact our West Seneca dental team immediately!

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

When handling the tooth, avoid contact with the roots to prevent contamination. Only touch the crown, i.e., the part of the tooth that is usually visible above the gums. Gently rinse the tooth with clean water, and try to place the tooth in its socket, if you’re up to it. Otherwise, store the tooth in milk or warm water and bring it with you to our office.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth 

If you haven’t done so already, we can reposition the tooth. We also put a splint, which attaches to the surrounding teeth, in place to hold the tooth steady while the supportive tissues and jawbone heal. In some situations, we are unable to use the natural tooth, meaning we need to talk about replacing your tooth with a bridge or dental implant.

Learn about Dental Bridges

Learn about Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

Yes. Unfortunately, crowns and fillings don’t last forever; if they are too old or damaged, they can come out. If a tooth loses its restoration, it is no longer protected. You may also find it difficult to perform normal functions such as eating or speaking clearly. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an emergency appointment with our West Seneca dental office.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

Try to locate your restoration after it has come out. Rinse both it and your mouth with clean water, and then apply a dab of toothpaste to the restoration before putting it back onto the tooth. This temporary fix can hold the filling or crown in place until you come for your emergency visit.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns 

When you come in, we can check the filling or crown to see if we can reattach it to the tooth. In most situations, however, the restoration is already old or damaged, which means we need to replace it with a new one.

Learn about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn about Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

Yes! Trying to function with a broken denture is not only difficult and uncomfortable, but it can also be painful and damaging. Instead of trying to “tough it out” with your broken denture, contact Applegate Dental PLLC for an emergency appointment so we can give you back a complete smile.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture

Do not wear broken dentures. They can damage your gums or any remaining teeth. If you need to eat, stick to soft foods until you can come in.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

Occasionally, we can fix dentures in the office with some minor adjustments. However, most of the time, we need to address broken dentures by replacing them entirely.

Learn More about Dentures

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Permanent teeth, as the name implies, are supposed to last a lifetime, so it can be a little off-putting if they feel loose. This situation is urgent and needs to be checked out right away to save your natural teeth.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth

Avoid eating with, touching, or handling the loose teeth as much as possible.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

Often, loose teeth is a symptom of advanced gum disease or trauma. Regardless of the cause, we’ll do our best to salvage your teeth and avoid extraction. However, keep in mind that extraction and replacement may be the best option for your smile, depending on the damage done.

Learn More about Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More about Tooth Replacement

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

It can be. Sometimes, the injury that damages your soft tissues can also harm your underlying oral structures, even if you don’t immediately see it. That’s why it’s a good idea to be examined by a dentist after you’ve sustained a blow to the mouth or had oral bleeding from soft tissues.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

The first thing you need to do is stop any bleeding. Gently press a clean cloth or gauze on the injury. If it continues to bleed after 10 minutes, you should go to the emergency room for further evaluation.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

After a thorough examination, we can assess whether your jawbone and teeth have been affected by the injury. Fortunately, soft tissues tend to heal fairly quickly, but we may provide stitches if necessary to help the process along.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Usually, no. Many people experience jaw pain at some point in their lives, but it may not necessarily be considered an emergency. However, if you find it too difficult or painful to eat or open your mouth to speak, then you should schedule appointment right away.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

As much as possible, try to avoid the things that trigger your jaw pain. For example, don’t eat excessively hard, chewy, or sticky foods. Also, you can put a cold compress on your face to ease your discomfort.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

If your jaw pain is the result of grinding your teeth while you sleep, we can provide nightguards, which prevent your teeth from touching during the night. We can also evaluate your bite and jaw joint to make sure everything is properly aligned.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Your teeth have small spaces in between them, and sometimes bits of food or other debris can get lodged there. Do not allow a stuck object to stay between your teeth because the pressure can force your teeth to shift out of alignment. In addition, it may make it easier for decay to develop. If you find yourself with something trapped between your teeth, gently floss that area to clear it out. What if flossing doesn’t work? Do not attempt to use a knife or other sharp instrument. Just give us a call and let our trained professionals lend a helping hand.