Although emergency visits are unexpected for patients, they are a regular part of life in a dental office. Almost every day, we receive calls from someone who hasn’t slept because of a toothache. Emergency cases are not limited to pain: Sometimes a patient notices swelling around the teeth. We also have patients who break a tooth during a meal and are unsure if the damage is serious enough to require immediate attention.
We reserve time in our schedule for urgent dental problems. If you are dealing with any of beforementioned problems, or another unexpected dental issue has occurred, just contact our office; we will advise you on the next step.
A toothache may not seem like an emergency from the beginning. Many patients tell us they noticed occasional sensitivity for weeks or even months. Then the pain becomes stronger. It starts waking them up at night. Eating on one side becomes difficult.
When pain becomes more intense, it is usually worth investigating. The cause may be decay, infection, a cracked tooth, or a problem involving the nerve. An examination and X-rays help us determine what is happening and which treatment is appropriate.
We often see patients who initially think they have only chipped a small piece of enamel. After looking more closely, we sometimes find that the crack extends deeper into the tooth.
If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, time becomes an important factor. Try to handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root. If possible, place it in milk and contact a dentist immediately. Assessing the tooth as soon as possible increases the chance of saving it.
A lost restoration may not be painful. Some patients only notice that a tooth suddenly feels different when they run their tongue across it. In other cases, the exposed area becomes sensitive to cold drinks, pressure, or air. We generally recommend avoiding sticky foods and chewing on the affected side until the tooth is examined.
A crown or filling that has come loose may be straightforward to replace. In some situations, however, the tooth underneath requires additional treatment before placing a new restoration.
Swelling is one of the symptoms we take very seriously. It might be surprising that even an infection may not begin with severe pain. Sometimes the first sign is a small area of swelling near the tooth or gum, especially if the swelling develops rapidly over one or two days.
When dealing with infection, delaying treatment is NOT possible. In these cases, our priority is to identify the source of the problem and determine what treatment can bring it under control.
Here are a few simple steps you’d better follow before your appointment. These small steps can make the visit easier and, in some situations, improve the outcome:
Our office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During those hours, we make every effort to accommodate urgent dental concerns as quickly as possible.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call our office and let us know what is happening. We will review the situation and advise you on the earliest available appointment.
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
The cost of an emergency visit depends on what we find during the examination. Your visit may involve a limited assessment and X-rays, or it may require treatment on the same day.
Before beginning the treatment, we will explain our findings and review the costs. We accept CDCP. If you have dental insurance, our team will be glad to help you determine what percentage of the visit your plan covers.
If something has changed and you are unsure how serious it is, just give us a call. We answer immediate questions and determine how quickly you should be seen. We reserve appointment time for urgent dental concerns whenever possible and will let you know the earliest availability based on the nature of the problem.
That depends on the cause of the problem. A lost filling may remain stable for a short period of time, but an infection or swelling can be a very different situation. We occasionally see patients who hoped a problem would settle on its own, but the symptoms became more difficult to manage a few days later.
We always take care of your smile
(647-250-0510)
