Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is almost always needed to relieve pain and give the teeth the best chance of survival.
Emergency appointments
Our office facilitates emergency calls, and emergency appointments are available and welcome, especially for new patients seeking help.
If there is severe pain, contact our office immediately. Dental pain almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental problems can seriously jeopardize your physical health.
Knocked-out or loose tooth
A tooth knocked clean out needs a dentist immediately: if it is back in its socket within an hour, the tissues may grow to support it again.
- Call our office.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. Do not touch the root.
- If possible, place it back in its socket; if not, tuck it into the cheek pouch.
- Otherwise, keep it in a cup of milk, saliva or, as a last resort, water. Don’t let it dry out.
- Get to our office, quickly and safely.
We will try to replace the tooth in its socket. It may reattach, but if its inner parts are seriously damaged, root canal therapy might be necessary.
A tooth loosened by trauma or decay can often be saved, and if it is still attached to its blood vessels and nerves, root canal therapy is likely unnecessary. Call us immediately; meanwhile use a cold compress and over-the-counter pain medication. The dentist will reposition the tooth and splint it in place. If it fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required.
Lost filling or crown
A crown or filling usually comes loose while eating, leaving the tooth sensitive to temperature and pressure. Crowns generally loosen because the tooth beneath is decaying, changing its shape. Make an appointment as soon as possible and keep the crown somewhere cool and safe, since we may be able to reinsert it; left out too long, teeth may shift or be further damaged.
If you can’t reach us right away:
- Apply clove oil to the tooth to ease pain
- Clean the crown and fix it on with dental cement from a pharmacy
- If the crown is lost, smear dental cement over the tooth to ease discomfort
- Do not use any kind of glue
If the crown still fits, we will reattach it. If there is decay, we will treat it and make a new crown.
Cracked or broken tooth
Trauma, grinding and biting hard objects can cause fractures, cracks and breaks. Some are fairly painless, but a crack that reaches the root is likely to be extremely painful. Schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.
If a piece has broken off:
- Call our office
- Rinse the fragment and your mouth with lukewarm water
- If there is bleeding, apply gauze for ten minutes
- Hold a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to reduce swelling and pain
- Cover the area with over-the-counter dental cement if you can’t see us right away
- Take a topical pain reliever
What we can do depends on the break. If a crack reaches the root, root canal therapy is often the best way to keep the tooth; after a complete break, the dentist will usually reattach the fragment as a temporary measure.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat conditions and injuries of the head and neck. Here's what they do and when you might need one.After Tooth Extractions
There are a number of reasons that your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction.Antibiotic Treatment
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that leads to severe inflammation and tooth loss if left untreated.Surgical Instructions
Pre- and post-operative instructions to help you prepare for dental surgery and recover safely and comfortably.Oral Pathology
An oral exam is routinely performed by the dentist during the course of an initial comprehensive exam and regular check-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
A knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, a cracked or broken tooth, a loose tooth, or severe pain. If there is severe pain, contact our office immediately.
Can I glue a crown back on myself?
No. Never use any kind of glue. Dental cement from a pharmacy can hold it temporarily until we can check the fit.
New patients welcome
Emergency calls and appointments are available and welcome, especially for new patients seeking help.