Emergency Dentistry – Rockwall, TX

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

From the moment you reach out to us for emergency dental care, we’ll do everything we can to get you seen right away. You can expect us to:

• Schedule your same-day visit – We’ll ask you about your symptoms and determine how quickly you need to come in. Over the phone, we can also give you tips for handling your situation in the meantime.
• Conduct an emergency exam – As soon as you arrive at our office, Dr. Courtin will examine your mouth and capture digital X-rays if necessary.
• Recommend treatment – Once Dr. Courtin has determined the source and severity of the issue, she can suggest one or more procedures to eliminate the problem.
• Provide the care you need – After we’ve gone over the specifics of your treatment, including cost, we can begin alleviating your emergency.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies come in countless varieties, but they all share one thing: it’s better to seek care right away rather than take a “wait and see” approach. By putting off treatment, you run the risk of your situation getting worse. We ask that you call us even if you’re unsure whether you need urgent care, but especially if you’re dealing with any of the following:

Root Canal Therapy

Most people associate the words “root canal” with pain, but this procedure is actually quite safe and comfortable. In fact, it can relieve the pain caused by an infected pulp in the center of a tooth. Left untreated, this infection could damage the tooth to the point where it needs to be extracted, but root canal therapy can often save the tooth. After numbing your mouth, we’ll remove the diseased tissue inside of the tooth and place a dental crown over it for protection.

Tooth Extractions

We try to preserve your natural tooth structure for as long as possible, but in some cases, a tooth is so damaged that removing it is the healthiest option for your overall smile. If a tooth cannot be repaired by any other means, Dr. Courtin will carefully extract it, using the most advanced methods to ensure your comfort before and after the procedure. Once you’ve healed, she can discuss your options for replacing the tooth, such as a dental implant.

TMJ Therapy

If you frequently deal with intense jaw pain, you might have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The jaw joints are so intricate that if something goes wrong, it can cause serious discomfort, but Dr. Courtin is prepared to diagnose and alleviate the condition. We offer numerous treatment methods, including occlusal splints that gradually shift your jaw into a more relaxed position. 

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Naturally, the severity of your emergency will impact how much your treatment will cost. Our team will make sure that you’ll fully aware of the cost up-front so that you’re not faced with any unpleasant surprises later on. We accept the majority of PPO dental insurance plans and even offer an in-house savings plan that gives you discounts on all types of dental care, including emergency treatments.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Many dental emergencies cannot be avoided, but others are caused by habits that can put your teeth at risk. Some of the ways to minimize your risk of dental emergencies include:

• Not biting your fingernails, ice, pen caps, etc.
• Avoiding using your teeth to crack nuts, or open bottles.
• Wearing a protective mouthguard if you play contact sports.
• Visiting us for a checkup every six months so Dr. Courtin can find potential emergencies and stop them in their tracks.
• Brushing and flossing every day at home.