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What is Emergency Dental Care? Where to Go for a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen, and it’s important to know how they differ from regular dental issues. Understanding these differences can help you choose an insurance plan that provides the right coverage for your needs.1 It can also be helpful to understand the waiting periods in your dental plan, so you know what to expect if a surprise issue arises. Aflac network dental insurance for individuals and families can help lower your out-of-pocket expenses if you experience a dental emergency. Read on to learn what a dental emergency is, what to do if you need emergency dental care, and how dental insurance can help cover costs.

3 Min Read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • A dental emergency requires immediate care for issues involving teeth and surrounding tissues, such as severe pain, infection, or trauma.
  • Emergency dental care can be expensive without insurance, with costs ranging from $137 to $835 for a tooth extraction and up to $6,514 for dentures.4,5
  • Aflac offers network dental insurance plans for individuals and families that can help lower out-of-pocket expenses for emergency treatments like root canals, extractions, and denture replacements.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any issue involving your teeth and surrounding tissues that requires immediate dental care. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s essential to have it treated by a professional as soon as possible.

What to do if you need emergency dental care

Every dental emergency is different, so there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. There are a few scenarios where it may make sense to go directly to the hospital and other situations where it’s best to go to your dentist as soon as possible. Below we’ve outlined what to do if you need emergency dental care, depending on the issue at hand:

  • Go to the hospital: A hospital trip typically makes more sense if something happens to your facial bones. Any issue that impacts your ability to breathe should also be immediately attended to at a hospital. If any of these events occur, it’s best to call 911 and get help as soon as possible.2
  • Visit your dentist: On the other hand, a dentist trip is better if you are in serious pain, but the issue is non-life-threatening. If you can breathe properly, a trip to the dentist to get emergency dental care would likely be all that is necessary.2
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How much can emergency dental care cost without insurance?

Trips to the hospital and dentist to get emergency dental care without a dental insurance plan can add up quickly. Here are some types of dental emergencies and their costs:

  • Lost dentures: If you lose your dentures, you’ll need to replace them quickly in order to restore chewing and speaking abilities. Removable dentures can cost $452 to $6,514 on average.3
  • Tooth extraction: A dentist may need to remove a tooth that is severely damaged or decayed. The average cost of a tooth extraction can be between $137 to $835 per tooth.4
  • Root canal: A root canal is typically needed when deep tooth decay, cracked teeth, gum infection or severe facial trauma take place. Depending on the location and severity of the issue, the cost of a root canal procedure and necessary dental care treatments on average can range anywhere from $200 to $1,472.5

How dental insurance can help cover emergency dental care

Some dental insurance plans help provide coverage to help make emergency dental care costs more manageable. Depending on your location and medical history, Aflac dental insurance offers a variety of benefits that can help cover expenses related to dental emergency procedures. For instance, Aflac offers coverage for major services such as oral surgery. Additionally, getting regular dental care may help prevent an oral emergency from happening later.

Should I get dental insurance to help cover emergency dental care?

Consider your financial situation and budget when deciding if dental insurance that can help cover emergency dental care is right for you. This type of coverage helps to be prepared in case a dental emergency occurs. Additionally, dental insurance can help you pay less in other out-of-pocket dental care costs. Aflac network dental insurance comes with affordable premiums and extensive coverage for the following:

  • Preventive care, such as routine exams cleanings
  • Basic services, such as fillings and simple extractions
  • Major services, such as inlays, onlays, and dentures

Aflac dental insurance can help cover your dental emergency

If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to get emergency dental care as soon as possible. You may be able to get help covering emergency dental care with Aflac’s dental insurance for individuals and families, which you can purchase directly. If you already have a dental plan, we also offer supplemental dental insurance to help cover treatments and procedures that your primary provider may not fully cover. Start chatting with an agent and get a quote today to learn more about our dental insurance coverage options.

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