I have a cavity that is having trouble and causing me pain. I don’t have money for a dentist right now, but did see that my pharmacy has some store bought filling material. Would it be enough for me to fill the cavity with that material? I’m plain broke right now.
Drew
Dear Drew,
The temporary filling material is designed to only fill the whole for a few days while you wait to get into the dentist’s office. If you wait longer than that, you are harboring bacteria and will end up with a massive dental infection. If you go to the dentist early, like now, it may only be a simple filling that you need to have cleaned out.
A lot of pain will indicate that there is a dental infection. This will mean more than cleaning out the decay. It will mean a root canal treatment, which also cleans out the infected pulp.
I know you are in a bit of a bind, financially. However, the longer you wait the worse (and more expensive) this will get. In general, dentists are compassionate and went into their field because they wanted a career that would allow them to help people. If you don’t have money and have a dental emergency, I am positive you will find a dentist who is willing to work with you financially.
I would start by looking for an affordable dentist. They are usually more apt to have payment plans. Whatever you do, please do not put this off. Speak directly to the dentist if the front desk isn’t willing to work with you. They have to follow the general procedure. However, the dentist has more wiggle room.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.