Emergency Dentist Albuquerque
We Provide Immediate Care When You Need It
While there may be different kinds of dental emergencies, they all usually have one symptom in common – pain. This factor alone is why we offer same-day emergency care as well as after-hours and weekend appointments. We never want our patients to remain in discomfort, so you can expect our Albuquerque emergency dentists to provide immediate care when you need it. Call our office to speak with a member of our team if you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency.
Why Choose Valer Dental & Braces for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day, After-Hours, & Weekend Dental Appointments
- Your Dental Insurance (+Medicaid/Medicare) is Welcome
- We Treat Patients of All Ages
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How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Call to schedule an appointment – You’ll want to start by first calling our office and letting us know the situation. While working to get you in for an appointment, we’ll also provide easy tips to manage any pain while at home.
- Receive a complete examination – Our team will help to get you out of pain quickly as well as take digital images and perform a visual examination.
- Compile findings – After all the necessary photos and notes are taken, we will create a treatment plan and go over it with you.
- Provide the care you need – We will begin to administer appropriate restorative treatment to address the injury and improve your oral health and smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
If you’re unsure whether the injury you’ve suffered constitutes a trip to the emergency dentist’s office, take a look at the common dental emergencies listed below. Even if you’re experiencing no pain but have chipped a tooth or lost a filling, don’t wait to call and schedule an appointment.
Toothaches
Chipped
Tooth
Cracked
Tooth
Sensitivity to
Hot & Cold
Knocked-Out
Tooth
Lost Filling
or Crown
Broken
Denture
Loose
Tooth
Jaw Pain or
Clenching
Something Stuck
Between Teeth
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
Your dental emergency is unlikely to cost the same as another patient’s injury. This means that before you come in for your appointment, we will be unable to tell you how much treatment will cost. Our team will need to conduct a thorough examination of your mouth to decide which type of care you need. Only then will we be able to tell you how much you can expect to pay. But don’t worry, as our team members will work with your insurance and go over other options to help you save on out-of-pocket expenses.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
It’s impossible to prevent all dental emergencies. However, since many are caused by poor oral hygiene, there are things you can do to minimize your risk, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in sugar and carbs but high in lean proteins, leafy greens, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Giving up unhealthy habits like smoking and using tobacco. You’ll also want to avoid biting your fingernails and eating ice.
- Never use your teeth as tools to open packages.
- Keeping up with your regularly scheduled dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
- Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home that include brushing, flossing, and rinsing
Dental Emergency FAQs
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Usually, no – an ER shouldn’t be your first choice for help with a dental emergency. It’s almost always best to see your dentist for a same-day visit instead.
You see, most emergency rooms can’t treat dental emergencies well. They don’t often have dentists on staff who can address severe oral issues. At best, an ER will only numb your pain and prescribe an antibiotic; it won’t treat the underlying source of your oral troubles.
Still, there are three exceptions where an ER visit can be a better option. You may need to visit an emergency room first if you have:
- Jaw fractures and dislocations
- Cuts or lacerations to the face or mouth
- A swollen abscess or infection that affects breathing or swallowing
My chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I still need to visit?
Whether your chipped tooth hurts or not, you should still have your dentist check it. You won’t know if the injury site is exposed until you get an oral exam. So, you’d do well to book a dental appointment as soon as possible.
With that said, you have leeway with when to visit. You can afford to wait a day (or two) if your schedule is rather full. Just make sure to schedule the appointment and put it on your calendar. Unless it gets professional care, your chipped tooth could break even further.
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
If you face a persistent and throbbing toothache, you likely have an infected tooth. That means you should see us for dental care at once.
A tooth infection can quickly cause aches when its bacteria reach the inner pulp. By that point, your tooth’s innards will be irritated and send throbbing pain signals to your brain. You’ll need to see your dentist for care to avoid further discomfort and oral issues (tooth loss, etc.).
Of course, not all throbbing tooth pain stems from infections. Your ache could also come from mild decay or chronic teeth grinding. However, a same-day trip to your dentist is still ideal; it’d rule out the more serious causes.
Can I fix dentures that are broken in half?
When dentures break in half, you can’t simply fix it yourself. Only a skilled prosthodontist has the training and experience to make the repairs.
For starters, most dentures that break in half must be replaced. They can’t be salvaged by trying to fit the broken pieces together. So, you’ll need a prosthodontist to approve the replacement and request a new denture from a dental lab.
Furthermore, DIY denture repair is risky to your oral health. It’s very unlikely to work and can lead to various mouth injuries. For your dentures to work again, a prosthodontist must make the relevant adjustments.