6 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Emergency Dentist

Whether you chipped your tooth while playing an intense sports game or a throbbing toothache developed during a busy time at work, you’re aware that dental emergencies always seem to occur at the worst possible times. No matter the situation, you’re going to need treatment for your hurting or damaged tooth right away. Having an emergency dentist’s phone number in your contacts ahead of time can make this stressful time much easier to handle. If you’re looking for the best emergency dentist in Edison, you should consider these six factors.

1. Location

The closer the dental office is to your home or workplace, the better. A knocked-out tooth can usually only be replanted within an hour of the incident, so you don’t want to waste precious time driving all the way across town. Make sure that a potential dentist’s office is easy to get to during an emergency.

2. Payment Options

Repairing your smile after a dental emergency shouldn’t have to break the bank. Before you visit a dentist, find out if they’ll accept your dental insurance. If you don’t have insurance, check to see if they offer additional financing options, such as CareCredit or an in-house dental plan.

3. Hours

A dental office that is only open for two or three days a week is probably not as equipped to handle emergencies as one that is open on most days of the week. Make sure the dentist offers plenty of hours throughout the week.

4. Sedation

Dental emergencies are already stressful enough. If you tend to get anxious at the thought of visiting the dentist, or have a low pain tolerance, find out whether the dentist you’re researching offers sedation. Nitrous oxide and other dental sedatives can soothe your nerves and make it a breeze to receive the care you need.

5. Available Services

Finding a dentist who provides a variety of services under one roof makes things more convenient. For example, if you chip a tooth, you’ll need to visit an emergency dentist. If the dentist in question also offers cosmetic services to improve the tooth’s appearance afterward, you won’t need to travel to a separate office.

6. Professional Organizations

The best dentists are members of professional organizations like the American Dental Association. They’re required to abide by the ADA code of conduct and principles of ethics. Essentially, seeing an ADA dentist will guarantee you’re being treated with the care and respect you deserve.  

Dental emergencies are nerve-wracking, but finding a good emergency dentist ahead of time will go a long way in ensuring your smile gets back on track as soon as possible.  

About the Author

Dr. Hiren Shah is an experienced general and emergency dentist in Edison, NJ who earned his doctorate in dentistry from the prestigious New York University. Currently, he is a member of the American Dental Association and the New Jersey Dental Association. At Signature Smiles, he makes things easy for emergency patients by offering sedation options, convenient Saturday hours, and various cosmetic and restorative services. His practice accepts most PPO dental insurance plans in addition to providing CareCredit financing and an in-house dental plan. If you’re looking for the best emergency dentist in Edison, contact Dr. Shah at (908) 834-8448.