Emergency Dental Care
A dental emergency can range from a lost filling to severe tooth pain and often occurs at an inconvenient time such as the weekend or on a holiday. In this instance, a person may need to be seen immediately or have to see a dentist in a different location. Many dental offices are accommodating and will try to fit in emergency patients.
The Emergency Visit
Once the patient arrives, the following steps are taken:
- The level and length of pain is assessed
- The dentist performs an exam of the painful tooth or other issue
- X-rays are taken to get a complete picture of the problem
Emergency Treatment
Tooth pain means something is wrong, but it does not always indicate that drastic action, such as a root canal or an extraction, needs to be taken. In cases where there is a severe infection or complications, the treatment process may require more than one appointment. Patients are always made as comfortable as possible through the experience.
There may be instances where a dental emergency causes no pain.
- Chipping a tooth
- Losing a filling
- Losing a crown
Even if there is no discomfort at first, the situation can escalate and become painful quickly. It is always recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible if a crown falls off or a tooth is chipped.
Emergency dental care is always available if a person needs it. Many dental offices accept walk-in patients and offer evening appointments for convenience.