7 Tips for Choosing an Emergency Dentist in Arlington, TX

7 Tips for Choosing an Emergency Dentistry Dentist in Arlington, TX

March 15, 2023

Are you looking for an emergency dentist you can trust? Read here for seven practical tips for choosing an emergency dentistry dentist in Arlington, TX.

There were 200,419 active dentists in the United States in 2019. While this is a large number, not all of those dentists will be good options for you. If you're looking for an emergency dentistry dentist in Arlington, TX, you might be wondering what to look for.

What qualities should you look for in an emergency dentist? What should you avoid? Keep reading and learn more about choosing a dentist so you can receive the best dental care.

1. Check the Online Customer Reviews

A good first move is to check the dentist's online customer reviews. These reviews will tell you a lot about the dentist's quality. If you find that the dentist has many negative reviews, this is a bad sign.

The reviews might complain that the dentist had a bad attitude or didn't take them seriously. Others might complain that the treatment was overpriced or that the dentist didn't bother to make them comfortable. This is not a dentist you want to waste your money on.

But you'll be on the right track if you find a dentist with many positive reviews. The reviews might love how attentive the dentist was or the convenience and speed of the procedure. A dentist with good reviews is a sign that the dentist cares about their patients.

This can help you avoid making the wrong decision when choosing a dentist.

2. Check Their Location

If you have a dental emergency, you don't want to have to drive an hour to get treatment. This is why you should choose a dentist that is in your local area. The closer the dentist is, the better.

This is important for dental emergencies like a missing tooth. Missing teeth can be saved if you get to the dentist within 30 minutes or so. But this won't be possible if the dentist is too far away.

Your tooth would die and you would have to get an implant or another dental device to fill the gap. This costs extra money and time. Many other dental emergencies are similarly time-sensitive.

Having a dentist that takes 30 minutes or less to reach is ideal. This ensures that you can drive there within a few minutes and fix your dental problem right away.

3. Check the Wait Times

You don't want to be waiting for an hour in the waiting room if you have a dental emergency. You also don't want to choose an emergency dentist with limited hours. You might arrive at the dentist's to find that it's closed in the middle of the day.

This is why it is important to check the hours and wait times before choosing a dentist. Every dental office has different hours and wait times. Some may be constantly busy while others may have specific busy times.

It is important to be familiar with these times before you make a decision. It is best to go to the dentist's when the wait times are very short. This ensures that you will get treatment as soon as possible.

4. Check What Services They Offer

Some emergency dentists offer very limited services. You don't want to go all the way to the dentist's office to find out that they can't help you because they don't do that service. You can check what services a dentist offers by checking their website.

The website should have a list of the different services they cover. Many emergency dentists fix tooth abscesses, broken braces, broken teeth, and knocked-out teeth. Some dentists may also fix lost crowns or fillings, facial swelling, and bleeding mouths.

If you find a dentist that you like, make sure that the office offers the services you need. This will save you time and energy.

5. Consider the Dentist’s Experience

You should always choose a dentist with plenty of experience. The more years of experience the dentist has, the better. This is because a more experienced dentist has had more time to see different dental problems and how to fix them.

This is in contrast to a dentist fresh out of dental school who is still learning new things. A more experienced dentist will also be more skilled at keeping you calm during an emergency dental procedure. This can make the procedure a more pleasant experience.

6. Think About the Price

Some emergency dental procedures can be very expensive. It is important to make sure that the dental services you choose fall into your budget. While some costs can't be avoided, always check to see what can be covered by your insurance and what can't.

Check for discounts or special offers too. This will help you avoid paying full price for an expensive dental procedure.

7. Ask What Ages They Cover

If you would like a family dentist, you should check what ages they cover. Some emergency dentists only work on adults. But others may handle dental emergencies for adults and children.

This is important if you have kids and want to be prepared in case they have a dental emergency.

If you don't have kids, this may not be a big concern for you.

Choosing an Emergency Dentistry Dentist in Arlington, TX

Choosing an emergency dentistry dentist in Arlington, TX, can be a difficult decision. You need to consider many factors like the price and what ages the dentist covers. You also need to think about the kind of emergency services they offer and the wait times.

Make sure you read the online customer reviews too. This will ensure you have a pleasant dental experience. To learn more about emergency dental services, check out the services we offer.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.