Dental emergencies can be a scary and unforeseen experience. Whether you have a chipped tooth, a painful abscess, or something more severe, you must know what to do to avoid panicking and improve your treatment’s outcome. First and foremost, you should call your dentist immediately if you have an urgent oral problem. Also, understanding the fundamentals of emergency dentistry can help you prepare for more serious issues.
Read on to learn more.
Most Common Dental Emergency Situations
The following are typical situations that require emergency dental care:
- Jaw pain or toothache
- Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- Tooth trauma (knocked out)
- Serious gum inflammation
- Dental abscess
- Serious bleeding
- Lost or harmed dental crowns, implants, or bridges
What Are the Procedures Involved in a Dental Emergency?
With a wide range of emergency dental services, here are some of the most common ones:
1. Tooth Extraction
In serious toothache with abscesses, immediate tooth extraction may be necessary. This oral treatment includes removing the tooth from its socket in the jawbone and other surrounding tissues. It’s frequently done when a tooth has been badly damaged or rotted beyond repair or to remove an impacted wisdom tooth. You will get local anesthesia so that you can stay comfortable during treatment.
After the procedure, they will recommend over-the-counter medications for pain relief and antibiotics if needed. Additionally, proper aftercare instructions should be followed to ensure a fast recovery and prevent infection. In cases like these, having an emergency dentist on hand is always a great idea, as they are always available to see you.
2. Root Canal
A root canal involves removing the nerve tissue or pulp inside a tooth. Your dentist may perform this if you have an infected or decayed tooth, which can help preserve and avoid further damage. They will make a small hole at the top of your tooth so they can access and clean the root canals before they are filled with dental material. The final step is sealing the access point with a crown or filling.
Root canal treatment can offer lasting relief from pain and discomfort caused by infection and improve oral health overall.
3. Jaw Pain Emergency Treatment
Jaw pain can be caused by TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), jaw fractures, etc. Depending on the cause, your dentist may prescribe medications to minimize inflammation and pain. They will also refer you to a TMJ specialist in the Edmonton area for further evaluation if needed. Surgery might be required in extreme cases of jaw misalignment or fractures. In addition, your dentist can provide splints or mouthguards to secure the teeth and jaw from further injury or damage.
4. Dental Crowns, Bridges, and Implant Repair or Replacement
If your dental crowns, implants, or bridges are damaged, broken, chipped, or have become loose, your dentist might suggest replacing or repairing them as soon as possible. If not, an infection may occur and spread to other teeth, gums, and even your jawbone.
Repairing them might be possible if they are not too badly damaged. They do this by reshaping the crown, bridge, or implant and bonding it with a special adhesive. If the damage is too serious for repair, your dentist will advise replacing them to restore the full function of your teeth. This means you should repeat the same procedures as if you were getting them for the first time.
The Bottom Line
Dental emergencies can occur to anyone, anytime. But if you understand the fundamentals of emergency dentistry and prepare for any situation, this helps you get the treatment you need quickly and safely. Contact your dentist immediately for proper care and diagnosis if you experience a dental emergency.
