Emergency Dentist — Shorewood, WI

Fast Care for Hurting Smiles

Would you know what to do in a dental emergency? You need a professional who’s qualified to provide the urgent and gentle care you need right away. If you have a broken, painful, or knocked-out tooth, don’t hesitate to contact your Shorewood emergency dentist at Shorewood Family Dentistry! We provide fast care for hurting smiles, often with same-day appointments. We’re here for you when you need us most.

Why Choose Shorewood Family Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?

Same-Day Emergency Appointments for Fast Care
Dental Insurance Welcome & In-House Membership Plan Available
Compassionate and Highly Experienced Dentist

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Should you or a loved one experience a dental emergency, follow these steps:

Call our office: Call our office as soon as you can. We’ll schedule you for a same-day emergency appointment and walk you through handling your situation until you can reach us.
Visit us for your emergency appointment. When you arrive, your Shorewood emergency dentist Dr. Peter J. Colosimo will see you for evaluation and pain relief. Once he’s reviewed his findings with you, you’ll work together to create a treatment plan.
Get the fast, professional care you need. As soon as a treatment plan has been made, our experienced team will leap into action. Whether you need a dental crown, tooth extraction, root canal therapy, or something else entirely, your comfort and the well-being of your smile will always be our top priorities.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Typically, there are two types of dental emergencies. Some need to be treated as quickly as possible, while others can wait until the next available appointment. In either situation, your first step should be to call us right away. One of our helpful staff members will assist you over the phone and schedule your appointment accordingly. Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Shorewood Family Dentistry.

Toothaches

Chipped Tooth

Cracked Tooth

Sensitivity to Hot & Cold

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Tooth

Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury

Jaw Pain or Clenching

Something Stuck Between Teeth

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Female patient in chair smiling at her dentist

Even if you’re aware of how important it is to have a dental emergency treated as soon as possible, you may still be worried about how much it will cost. We want you to be able to find relief at an affordable fee, so we will always strive to give you an accurate cost estimate and explain your payment options in clear detail. Here are the basics of what you need to know when it comes to paying for emergency dentistry.

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Every Dental Emergency is Different

Close-up of man rubbing his jaw in discomfort

The term “dental emergency” can refer to many different types of situations, and the best way to restore the health of your smile depends heavily on the kind of issue that you’re suffering from and how severe it is. As such, there is no one set fee for emergency dental care. To help you figure out the amount that you can expect to pay, our team will need to examine your smile and consider the various factors involved.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance form on a large computer monitor

Many dental insurance plans will help pay for at least one emergency dental exam per year. When it comes to the actual treatment, coverage is often anywhere from 50% to 80%; it depends on what type of procedure(s) you need. Remember that your plan likely comes with an annual maximum, which can affect the total amount that your insurance company is willing to pay.

If there’s anything you don’t understand about your insurance plan, you can turn to our team for assistance. Additionally, if there are any claims that need to be filed, we can handle the paperwork for you.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Blonde woman with a bright, beautiful smile

The simple fact of the matter is that not everyone has dental insurance. Fortunately, there’s more than one way to make the cost of emergency dental care more manageable. Our team can help you apply for CareCredit financing; this involves signing up for a payment plan that breaks up the cost of the care you need into smaller monthly installments.

You also have the option of signing up for our Shorewood Family Dentistry Membership Club. All plans cover one emergency exam per year, and they come with discounts on a wide variety of treatments.

On top of that, it’s important to note that we accept a number of payment options, including cash, checks, most major credit cards, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs). You can choose the payment method that works best for you, and we’ll ensure that you're aware of the available options for making your care as affordable as possible.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Close-up of woman’s hand holding an electric toothbrush

You can potentially save money on emergency dentistry simply by taking steps to lower the chances of urgent dental issues occurring in the first place. Make sure that you’re doing everything you can to protect your smile, such as brushing at least two times a day and scheduling a preventive dental appointment once every six months.

You should call our office as soon as you suspect that something is wrong with your smile. By paying for treatment now, you can avoid bigger dental problems later – and that means less of a chance of needing more complex procedures that come at a higher cost.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dentist smiling at patient while taking notes on clipboard

While certain dental emergencies can’t be avoided, there are some things you can do that can reduce your risk of experiencing one. A handful of simple precautions and healthy habits can go a tremendously long way in preventing broken teeth and painful toothaches! A few of the most important steps we recommend taking include:

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Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Woman smiling while holding handheld mirror at checkup

At your regular visits with our Shorewood dental team, we cover a lot of ground – from screening for oral cancer to removing built-up tartar. We also dedicate a portion of your appointment to checking the condition of your teeth and gums. If we find decay, an infection, or anything else concerning, we can intervene with the necessary restorative care now. Well before it requires an emergency visit to our office.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Simply put, avoiding smile-related problems requires a commitment to a solid oral hygiene routine, starting with brushing twice a day and flossing daily. As your dental healthcare team, we may recommend other additional to your routine to meet your specific oral health needs.

Your Diet

Closeup of patient preparing vegetables on a cutting board at home

It’s no secret that what you eat impacts your oral health; it’s one of the reasons dentists have been telling their patients for years to be mindful of their consumption of added sugar! However, it’s not just candy that can cause tooth decay. Any and all carbohydrates can contribute to cavities. Think crackers, chips, cookies, cereals, etc. Not only that, but anything acidic can significantly add to tooth decay. This includes juice, citrus fruits, and soda, including sugar-free and other diet varieties! Lastly, be mindful of very crunchy or very chewy foods such as nuts, carrots, and certain proteins that all require a lot of chewing or are hard on the teeth and jaw joints. These can cause tooth fractures, enamel damage, TMJ pain, or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

Wear a Mouthguard

Man putting black mouthguard into his mouth before workout

Sports-related accidents can take a serious toll on your smile. To prevent one of your teeth from getting knocked out or from you biting down hard on your tongue, it’s important to wear a mouthguard during practices and games. Although the store-bought mouthguards are certainly better than nothing, our custom-made ones are crafted to the appropriate thickness, offer more protection, and fit much more comfortably.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man using scissors to open package at his desk

In short, you should never use your teeth to open packages or bottle caps. Even though your teeth are sharp, they can easily break under the pressure, necessitating an emergency visit to our office for treatment. So, if you want to avoid that situation, don’t use your teeth as tools.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Toothaches are often a sign of underlying dental issues, like cavities, infections, or gum disease. While minor sensitivity might subside quickly, persistent or severe tooth pain is unlikely to go away on its own. In fact, ignoring it can cause it to worsen over time, leading to more serious complications, including abscesses or tooth loss. It’s important to schedule a visit with Dr. Colosimo as soon as possible to diagnose and treat the root cause of the pain. Early treatment can prevent the need for more extensive and costly procedures later on.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

Sleeping with tooth pain can be difficult, but there are a few steps you can take to minimize discomfort:

First, try elevating your head with an extra pillow to reduce blood flow to the affected area, which can help lessen the throbbing sensation.
Next, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
You can also apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek near the painful tooth before bed. This can provide temporary relief and make it easier to fall asleep faster.
Lastly, avoid eating or drinking anything hot, cold, or sugary before bedtime, as these can worsen the pain.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

In most cases, it’s best to contact us directly for dental emergencies. Dr. Colosimo is specifically trained to handle dental issues and can provide the most effective and appropriate treatment. However, if you experience a broken jaw, uncontrollable bleeding, or feel feverish or weak, you should visit the emergency room immediately. These situations may require immediate medical attention that ERs are more equipped to handle. For less severe dental issues, seeing us first can save time and ensure you receive specialized care.

What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?

Having an emergency dentistry kit at home or in your car is a great idea and can help you manage dental issues until you can see Dr. Colosimo. Essential items to include are:

Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
Cotton balls and gauze pads to control bleeding
Temporary dental cement or dental wax for broken fillings or crowns
An ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling
A small container with a lid for preserving a knocked-out tooth
Antiseptic mouthwash to clean and disinfect the affected area
Contact information for your dentist and the nearest emergency dental clinic