Not having dental insurance shouldn't stop you from getting a dental emergency checked. Ask the office up front what the exam and X-rays cost, ask for a written treatment estimate before any work, and ask about payment options. Getting seen early is usually less costly than waiting until a problem gets bigger.
Why waiting tends to cost more
Dental problems rarely stay the same size. A cracked tooth that could be repaired can split. An infection that could be treated can spread and need more care. Treating the problem early usually means simpler, lower-cost treatment.
Questions to ask when you call
- What does the emergency exam cost, and what does it include?
- Are X-rays included?
- Will I get a price before any treatment starts?
- What payment options do you offer?
- Can you treat the pain today and plan the rest later?
Write down the answers. It makes comparing offices easier.
Understanding the estimate
- Ask for each item to be listed separately.
- Ask which parts are urgent and which can wait.
- Ask about other options, including removing a tooth versus saving it, and what each costs over time.
- It's fine to take a day to think about non-urgent work.
Options people use without insurance
- Paying per visit at the office's listed fees
- Financing plans offered through the office
- Discount or membership plans some offices or companies offer
- Community health centers or dental schools in the area, which may have lower fees but longer waits
When cost shouldn't delay care
When swelling grows toward the eye, under the jaw or down the neck, or swallowing becomes hard, an emergency room should see you first. Hospital emergency rooms must check and stabilize emergencies whether or not you have insurance. The ADA explains what counts as an emergency on its dental emergencies page.
For toothaches, broken teeth and infections without those signs, a dental office can treat the cause.
Keeping costs down after the emergency
- Follow aftercare instructions to avoid complications.
- Go back for any recommended follow-up.
- Ask about preventing the next problem.
Our cost and insurance page lists payment options and what's included in the exam.
Further reading
For more background, these are reliable places to start:
- HealthCare.gov: Dental coverage: how dental plans work in the Marketplace
- HRSA: Find a health center: federally funded clinics, some with dental care
Need an Emergency Dentist?
Fill out the form and we'll call you as soon as possible to set up your visit.
Prefer to talk now? Call (602) 737-2446
If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is spreading, go to the emergency room or call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Will the office see me without insurance?
Most dental offices see patients who pay directly. Ask when you call.
Is the ER cheaper for a toothache?
The ER can help with pain and infection, but it usually can't treat the tooth itself, so you'll still need a dentist.
Can I get just the pain treated today?
Often yes. Ask the dentist which step relieves the pain and what can be planned for later.
If you're in Phoenix
Our office on North 35th Avenue is open Monday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and walk-ins are welcome. To check the wait, call (602) 737-2446. The emergency exam and X-rays are $45.
The $45 covers the emergency exam and diagnostic X-rays. Treatment is priced separately and explained before any work begins.
Payment options are on our cost and insurance page.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for an exam by a licensed dentist.