Same-Day Dental Emergency Treatment
We understand that dental emergencies never happen at a convenient time, so we try to see all of our emergency patients the same day they call. While we always strive to provide comprehensive care, in an emergency situation our primary aim is to get you comfortable and out of pain; in these cases we may provide palliative treatment to make you comfortable, and then schedule you for a longer appointment where we can render full treatment.
Below is a list of general information about dental emergencies. This information is for educational purposes only and is not designed to replace coming to the dentist:
- Temporary crown comes out
Even though we use strong cements, a temporary crown can still come off. If yours comes out, call us and bring the crown with you. Please don’t try to re-cement it with other types of cement. If you’re traveling and it’s a visible tooth, you can pick up Fixodent (denture adhesive) at a drugstore to help hold it in place until you can come into the office.
- Tooth pushed back, forward, in, or down
When a tooth is moved out of its normal position, this is called a luxation. If this happens, call our office right away. Because the mouth heals quickly, the tooth can start settling in the wrong position, so it’s important we see you as soon as possible to try to guide it back into the proper position for healing.
- Tooth knocked out
If a tooth is knocked out, call the office immediately. Timing matters, and we’ll want to see you as soon as possible. If you have the tooth, don’t wash, scrape, or clean it. If you can, place it in a cup of milk or saliva and bring it with you. This can help protect the tooth while you’re on the way to the office.
- Painful denture or sore spot
Even with careful adjustments, dentures and removable partials can sometimes cause sore spots. If you have a sore area, call us so we can take a look and adjust the fit. If possible, wear your denture for a little while the day before and the day of your appointment, so we can see exactly where it’s rubbing. If it hasn’t been in for several days, the sore spot may start to heal and can be harder to pinpoint.
If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait!
Unfortunately, unlike a bruise or a mild ankle sprain, dental problems generally do not resolve on their own. In fact, many dental conditions will get worse the longer they are left untreated. Call today so you can be comfortable eating and chewing again.