Typically, the only real dental emergencies are ones that are accompanied by severe pain or uncontrolled bleeding. Those are the ones that you should search for Emergency dental service near me to treat immediately.
Immediate Care
An emergency dental service provides immediate care to address urgent situations such as severe tooth pain. These issues can escalate to life-threatening problems if not addressed quickly and correctly.
For example, canker sores that linger for weeks may turn into painful ulcers if left untreated. They can also lead to permanent tooth damage if not properly treated. If you have an infection, a 24-hour emergency dentist will provide pain relief medication and antibiotics to help treat the infection.
While the cost of an emergency visit will vary, you can expect to pay a higher rate for emergency dental care than regular visits. You can mitigate these costs by establishing a preventative dental routine with a hygienist. This includes twice-daily brushing, daily flossing and routine dental checkups. You can also seek out community resources that offer low-cost or free emergency dental care services. Some of these resources include community health centers, dental schools and federally funded support programs.
X-Rays
X-rays provide critical information to diagnose issues like severe tooth pain, a cracked tooth, or an infection that needs immediate treatment. In addition, the emergency dentist may recommend a temporary crown to repair the damaged tooth.
The dentist will then prescribe a course of care, which may include pain relief medications or antibiotics. If you have a dental abscess, your dentist will drain the pus and provide antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading.
Because of the level of urgency and specialized care, emergency dental appointments tend to cost more than regular appointments. However, many emergency dental providers offer affordability options like payment plans and discounts for uninsured patients to help ease the financial burden.
Tooth Extraction
Often the most urgent dental issues involve tooth extraction. A severe toothache, bleeding gums or a knocked out tooth are signs that prompt treatment is needed. These problems can lead to infection, bone damage and even jaw fracture if left untreated.
An emergency dentist will provide a local anesthetic before attempting to remove the tooth. Then, they will use pressure to create a blood clot in the socket and stop the bleeding. They may also apply other hemostatic agents such as oxidized cellulose or collagen sponge to ensure proper clotting.
If a person has an abscessed tooth, they may experience pain, pus, swollen glands and fever. They should immediately seek emergency dental care to treat the abscess and prevent it from spreading. Although a hospital emergency room can perform tooth extractions in an urgent situation, they may not be equipped with the specialized equipment of an emergency dentist. This can increase the risk of complications during the procedure.
Temporary Crowns
Like a bandage over a skin wound, a temporary crown protects the tooth and gum from bacteria while it heals. This allows for normal oral function and prevents additional damage to the underlying tooth structure.
Temporary crowns are made from a material that does not look as natural as a permanent dental crown, and they may require special care to last. Patients should avoid chewing on the side where the crown is placed, and floss and brush it more gently.
A temporary crown also gives our dentists an opportunity to evaluate the fit and aesthetic of the final crown. We can make adjustments to ensure that the crown fits properly, preventing further damage to the tooth and minimizing the risk of bite alignment issues in the future. Once the patient’s permanent crown arrives from the laboratory, we can cement it in place for a comfortable and functional restoration. A well-fitting crown also helps preserve a healthy smile in the meantime.