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What is a Dental Emergency?

Emergency dentistry refers to the immediate care provided to address your urgent dental issues that cannot wait for a regular appointment. Dental emergencies can arise from accidents, sudden pain, or the rapid onset of infection, and they require prompt attention to prevent further complications. Dr. Steven Tran makes every attempt to ensure our patients can be seen right away for an emergency.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Severe Toothache: Persistent, intense tooth pain that doesn’t go away can indicate a serious issue such as an infection or abscess. This type of pain can interfere with daily activities like eating, speaking, and even sleeping.
Chipped or Broken Tooth: Teeth can become chipped or broken due to trauma, biting into something hard, or from existing decay. If the fracture exposes the nerve, it can cause significant pain and increase the risk of infection.
Knocked-Out Tooth: A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency. If treated quickly –usually within an hour– there’s a good chance your tooth can be reinserted and saved.
Loose or Dislodged Tooth: Your teeth can become loose due to injury or advanced gum disease. If a tooth is pushed out of position, it needs to be stabilized quickly to save it.
Abscess: A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, usually forming at the base of your tooth or in the gums. Abscesses can cause severe pain, swelling, and fever. If left untreated, the infection can spread, leading to serious health complications. ‍
Soft Tissue Injuries: Lacerations or tears in the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue caused by accidents or trauma may require emergency care to prevent infection and control bleeding.

What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit?

When you visit Summit Dental Arts for an emergency dental visit, the first step is a thorough evaluation of the problem to determine the best course of action. This may involve:

X-rays: To assess the extent of damage to teeth, bone, or surrounding tissue.
Pain Management: Depending on the severity of the emergency, Dr. Tran may provide pain relief in the form of anesthetics or prescribed medications.
Treatment: Treatment varies depending on the emergency but could involve: some text
- Temporary or permanent fillings to repair broken or chipped teeth.
- Replantation of a knocked-out tooth, if possible.
- Root canal therapy is used to treat infected or abscessed teeth.
- Tooth Extraction, if your tooth is beyond repair.

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Benefits of Emergency Dentistry:

Immediate Relief: The sooner you contact Summit Dental Arts, the sooner treatment can start, which provides fast relief from pain and discomfort, allowing you to return to your daily activities as quickly as possible.
Prevention of Complications: Addressing dental issues promptly can prevent them from escalating into more severe conditions, such as infections that spread to other parts of your body. ‍
Tooth Preservation: Quick intervention can often save your teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.

Contact Us Today!

Not all dental appointments are planned. Contact us today for your dental emergency!