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Emergency Dentist — Corbin, KY

Helping Our Patients When They Need Us Most

Are you an existing patient of ours dealing with a dental emergency? Whether you just experienced oral trauma and broke a tooth or you developed a toothache out of nowhere, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted dental home, Corbin Family Dental Care. We’ll  schedule an appointment  for you as soon as possible to help get you out of pain and provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance to minimize any additional damage to your mouth. We’re dedicated to helping our patients when they need us most, so don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Why Choose Corbin Family Dental Care for Emergency Dental Care?

  • #1 Experienced Dentist With Advanced Training  
  • #2 Calming Sedation Dentistry for Maximum Comfort
  • #3 We See Patients Of All Ages

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

a person having their teeth examined by a dentist

If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, stay calm and follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Call us right away. As soon as you are able to, call our office. We’ll schedule an appointment for you as quickly as possible, often within the same day. A team member will walk you through how to handle your situation until you can reach us.
  • Step 2: See Dr. Whitaker. Your Corbin emergency dentist Dr. Whitaker will see you for an exam when you arrive. She’ll evaluate your situation, review her findings with you, and fully explain all your treatment options. Then, she’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan.
  • Step 3: Get the professional care you need . As soon as a treatment plan has been made, our experienced team will leap into action to repair your smile and alleviate discomfort. For patients who are feeling particularly nervous, scared, uncomfortable, or sore, we may recommend dental sedation.

Emergency Dental Care You Can Depend On

Corbin emergency dentist Dr. Katherine Whitaker

Dr. Katherine Whitaker  is exactly the type of person you want to see in the middle of a dental emergency. As a dentist with over seven years of experience and a mother of two, she knows exactly how to bring calm to even the most stressful situation. She and our team work quickly and effectively to help get patients out of pain as soon as possible. And, to help even the most anxious patient relax, she’s the only dentist in a 40-mile radius who is trained to provide soothing IV sedation.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s easy to tell you need urgent dental care, such as if you have a broken or knocked-out tooth. Other times, you may feel unsure if your situation qualifies as an emergency, such as if you have a toothache, sensitive teeth, or something stuck in your gums. Whatever the case, if you are experiencing pain, damage, or any other unusual symptoms in your mouth, we encourage you to call us right away. We’ll help you assess your situation over the phone and instruct you on what to do next. Below, you’ll find some important information about handling the most common dental emergencies we treat.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

a person smiling and standing in front of a bookshelf

Do you still have questions about what you should do in the case of a dental emergency in Corbin? When you contact our team of professionals at Corbin Family Dental Care, we’ll provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance and be with you through every step of the way. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive from our patients below.

DO YOU SEE PATIENTS AFTER HOURS?

We do see patient afterhours, but an additional fee may apply. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns.

SHOULD I VISIT THE ER OR AN EMERGENCY DENTIST?

When you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, it can be hard to determine whether you should visit your ER or an emergency dentist. Situations such as broken or fractured jawbones, deep facial lacerations, and difficulty breathing or swallowing should all be addressed at your local emergency room by a medical professional, because these can all be life-threatening issues. Once you receive urgent attention, you can contact our office to schedule an appointment to get your dental needs addressed. Otherwise, be sure to visit your emergency dentist if you experience any out-of-the-ordinary oral health symptoms or pain.

I’M IN SO MUCH PAIN THAT I’M SCARED TO BE TREATED. HOW CAN AN EMERGENCY DENTIST HELP?

At Corbin Family Dental Care, one of our first priorities is the comfort and safety of our patients. Dental emergencies are stressful and oftentimes painful, which is why we offer several sedation options to help you feel comfortable and relaxed as soon as you reach our office. In fact, Dr. Whitaker is one of the few specially trained dentists in the area to administer IV sedation. As soon as you reach our office, we’ll speak with you to determine your pain level and examine the situation. Based on our findings, we can then discuss different sedation options that can ease your discomfort and help you feel at-ease while you’re receiving treatment.

IF I HAVE A TOOTHACHE, DOES THAT MEAN THAT I’LL NEED TO GET A ROOT CANAL?

Toothaches are often a sign of an infection, which can be treated with root canal therapy if it hasn’t progressed. If you put this procedure off, it will likely result in you needing an extraction instead. At Corbin Family Dental Care, we make sure that no matter what treatment you need, it’s as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY FACE BEGINS TO SWELL?

Whether you have a toothache caused by an infection, or experienced dental trauma, you may notice facial swelling. One way you can bring this down is to place a cold compress on the area for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, for up to an hour. If the swelling is caused by infection, it’s important to not put a heat source on the area, because this could cause the infection to spread faster.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

man smiling while talking on phone

If you are worried about the cost of emergency dentistry, you can rest assured that our Corbin dental team will provide you with an estimate and explain all of the financial solutions available to you before providing the necessary restorative care. In the meantime, you can read on to learn why the price varies, if dental insurance usually covers a portion of the cost, and more!

Every Dental Emergency is Different

dental assistant smiling while handing patient form

Are you curious why the cost of emergency dentistry varies? The short answer is that every situation is different! For example, one patient may be struggling with a sharp, stabbing pain when they bite down and the next may have lost a tooth while playing sports. In fact, even if two patients visit us with the same symptoms, like a toothache, they might need two different treatments depending on the extent of the dental damage.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

woman filling out dnetal insurance form in lobby

It’s possible that your dental insurance will cover both the emergency exam as well as a portion of the cost of the necessary restorative care. In other words, you should absolutely familiarize yourself with your dental benefits! If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask our Corbin dental team. We have extensive experience working with a wide variety of providers, so we can review your benefits, answer any questions you have, file the claims on your behalf, and help you get reimbursed quickly.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

dentist showing patient image on tablet

If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t stress. After all, that’s just one of the financial solutions we offer! We also happily accept payment plans with CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. All you need to do is determine your monthly budget, take a look at their options, and pick the one that works best for you. That way, you can space out your payments into smaller chunks instead of paying for the entire thing at once.

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

female patient smiling at dentist at dental appointment

It’s important to remember that many dental injuries – from toothaches to knocked-out teeth – can typically be prevented. In that way, adopting healthy habits can save you money in the short and long-term! If you’re unsure where to start, your at-home oral hygiene regimen is a great place to begin. Then, work on adopting other good habits, like getting a checkup and cleaning twice a year and wearing a mouthguard when you’re playing sports.