Dental emergencies can be a frightening 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 severe problems.
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)
- Severe gum inflammation
- Dental abscess
- Severe bleeding
- Lost or damaged dental crowns, bridges, or implants
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
Severe pain from teeth or third molars with abscesses usually requires wisdom tooth removal. This oral procedure involves removing the tooth from its socket in the jawbone and other surrounding tissues. It is frequently done when a tooth has been seriously damaged or decayed beyond repair or to remove an impacted wisdom tooth. You will receive local anesthesia so that you can remain comfortable during treatment.
After the procedure, they will recommend over-the-counter medications for pain relief and antibiotics if needed. In addition, proper aftercare instructions must be followed to ensure a quick recovery and prevent infection. In cases like these, going to facilities that offer 24 hour emergency dental care in the Edmonton area is a good idea, as they’re always available to see you.
2. Root Canal
A root canal involves removing the pulp or nerve tissue inside a tooth. Your dentist may perform this if you have an infected or decayed tooth, which can help preserve and prevent additional 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 filling or crown.
Root canal treatment can offer lasting relief from discomfort and pain 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 might recommend medications to reduce inflammation and pain. They will also refer you to an oral surgeon for further assessment if required. Surgery might be needed in extreme cases of jaw misalignment or fractures. Additionally, your dentist can provide splints or mouthguards to secure the teeth and jaw from more injury or damage.
4. Dental Bridges, Crowns, and Implant Replacement or Repair
If your dental crowns, implants, or bridges are broken, damaged, chipped, or have become loose, your dentist may recommend replacing or repairing them as soon as possible. If not, an infection might occur, affecting other teeth, gums, and the jawbone.
Repairing them might be possible if they are not too severely 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 happen to anybody, anytime. But if you understand the fundamentals of emergency dentistry and prepare for any situation, this helps you get the treatment you require quickly and safely. Contact your dentist immediately for proper care and diagnosis if you experience a dental emergency.
