You might be walking on a sunny afternoon and suddenly be hit with a throbbing toothache, or you may be shuffling around your living room one morning only to trip over the cat and fracture your tooth as you land face-first on the edge of the table. No one expects to suffer a dental emergency, but knowing what to do when it happens can spare you a lot of stress and discomfort. That said, your first step is visiting your emergency dentist! Here’s a general outline of what you can expect at an emergency dental appointment.
It Begins with an Examination
Before your dentist can do anything to treat you, they must understand what the problem is. An emergency dental exam is also known as a limited exam because it focuses specifically on the afflicted area of the mouth. It is crucial that you explain to your dentist exactly what kind of pain you are experiencing as well as where it comes from. Your dentist will check for damage to the teeth, signs of infection, exposed nerves, and any other emergency issues. This exam may also involve X-rays to determine if any underlying structures have been damaged.
Managing Pain
One of the key reasons that people hurry to the emergency dentist is that the pain in their mouth is unbearable. After completing the examination, your dentist will start working on treating the cause of your pain. Since medications like antibiotics can take a few hours to start having an effect, they will probably provide some form of pain treatment such as a local anesthetic that will numb the afflicted area.
Fixing the Problem
While pain relief treatments and emergency tooth extractions can be administered in one appointment, you may need additional visits to fix the underlying problem. If you have a fractured tooth, your dentist may remove some of the gum tissue and reduce the inflammation, but a second visit may be necessary to determine if the tooth can be saved or needs extraction. A root canal or restoration repair can be a time-consuming affair, so your dentist may require you to come back later.
When you go in for an emergency dental appointment, you can expect to be penciled in for the soonest time slot available, undergo an emergency dental exam, and receive pain relievers to tide you over until you can obtain a more permanent solution. More severe emergencies receive priority over milder ones. In any case, your dentist will be well-equipped to treat your emergency, and you can expect to be on the mend soon.
About the Author
Dr. Vishal Pattni earned his dental degree at the University of Texas Dental Branch and has taken many continuing education courses over the years. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Texas Dental Association. His office in Clute, TX offers general, pediatric, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, dial (979) 341-9890 or contact the office online to schedule an appointment.