When you have a toothache or another type of oral pain, your top priority may be to get professional care. However, at the back of your mind, you might be thinking, “I don’t have dental insurance. How much is this going to cost?” The good news is that even without insurance, visiting an emergency dentist can still be within your financial reach! This blog post explores why concerns about cost should not stop you from receiving the treatment you need.
An Emergency Exam Is Relatively Affordable
Before doing anything else, your dental team will perform a thorough examination with the goal of learning why you are in pain. This may include a visual examination and some X-rays. Typically, this exam does not take a long time and is relatively affordable. It might cost a few hundred dollars or less.
How Much Does Emergency Treatment Cost?
After your exam, your dentist will be able to recommend a treatment to get you out of pain and back on the path to sound oral health. A number of different procedures are commonly used in emergency dentistry, including:
- Pain relief measures
- Root canal therapy
- Tooth extractions
- Splints for knocked-out or partially dislodged teeth
- Restorations, such as fillings and crowns
- And more
Logically, the price of such services can vary, going from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. If you choose to be sedated, that may increase your total bill.
Affording Your Treatment
Your dentist wants you to be able to afford your treatment, so they may offer some provisions to make it easier to fit your care into your budget. For example, you can ask about:
- Financing. Most patients are eligible for a low-interest payment plan through CareCredit, a third-party financier.
- In-house savings plan. These plans are designed for patients without insurance. They may include an emergency exam and a discount on most other services.
Prompt Treatment Can Help You Save
Remember, teeth cannot heal themselves, so any problems are only likely to get worse — and therefore more expensive — the longer you wait to receive treatment. For example, a small cavity that requires a filling may turn into a major infection that requires much more extensive care. Financial concerns should not hold you back from visiting your dentist!
The monetary aspect of dental care can be stressful at times, but fortunately, there are ways to afford top-quality emergency treatment even if you do not have insurance!
Meet the Practice
At Southlake Family Dentistry, we are often able to welcome emergency patients on a same-day basis. For patients without insurance, we offer a convenient in-house savings plan, and we work with CareCredit to provide third-party financing. Our team makes every effort to respect our patients’ budgets. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our Fort Mill, SC, office at 803-548-3342.