Dental emergencies are never planned and can be pretty stressful. Unfortunately, they can happen anytime – during a meal, while playing sports, or even at night. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help ease anxiety and prevent further damage to your teeth. At Center for Contemporary Dentistry, we understand the urgency of dental emergencies, so we offer comprehensive Vacaville emergency dentistry services. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what qualifies as a dental emergency, the steps to take during a dental emergency, and how our team of emergency dentists can help.
First and foremost, knowing what constitutes a dental emergency is essential. Any injury to the teeth, gums, or mouth causing significant pain or bleeding qualifies as a dental emergency. This includes broken or knocked-out teeth, severe toothaches, cuts or lacerations to the mouth, and tooth abscesses. If you’re ever in doubt about whether or not your situation is an emergency, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention right away.
In a dental emergency, it’s essential to act quickly but calmly. If you have a tooth knocked out, try to find it and rinse it off with water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue that may be attached. Place the tooth back into its socket or hold it between your cheek and gums until you can get to our office. If a tooth is fractured or broken, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and discomfort until you can see a dentist.
If you’re unable to reach our emergency dentist immediately, there are a few things you can do at home to reduce the risk of further damage to your teeth. Avoid eating hard or sticky foods, do not chew on ice or other hard objects, and be gentle while brushing and flossing your teeth.
At Center for Contemporary Dentistry, we strive to accommodate all our patients’ needs, so we encourage you to call us immediately if you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Our emergency dental services include the following.
Root Canals
When it comes to dental emergencies, root canals are a standard procedure many may encounter. Though the thought of a root canal may cause anxiety, these procedures are often the solution to saving a tooth and preventing the spread of infection. Emergency dentistry services are available to assist anyone needing immediate treatment, and prompt attention can mean the difference between preserving or losing a tooth. Root canals may not be pleasant, but they can be a lifesaver for maintaining a healthy smile.
Step 1: Diagnosis and Preparation
Before starting the procedure, your dentist will examine your tooth and take an X-ray to determine the extent of the damage. If root canal treatment is needed, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
Step 2: Removal of Damaged Pulp
Your dentist will create an opening in the top of your tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. We will carefully remove the infected or damaged pulp using small instruments. This step ensures that there are no bacteria or infected tissue left behind.
Step 3: Cleaning and Shaping the Root Canals
Once we remove the pulp, your dentist will clean and shape the root canals using small files. This step is essential to remove any remaining bacteria and to prepare the canal for filling material.
Step 4: Filling the Root Canals
After cleaning and shaping the root canals, your dentist will fill them with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and a special sealant to prevent bacteria from entering the tooth. This material fills the space previously occupied by the pulp and helps to keep the tooth healthy.
Step 5: Restoration of the Tooth
After the root canal procedure, your dentist will temporarily fill the tooth. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need a dental crown or other restoration to protect and strengthen the tooth. This step is essential because it helps to prevent future damage and decay.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions are a standard and necessary procedure in dental care, whether it’s to remove a severely decayed tooth or make space for orthodontic treatment. But even if you may need a tooth extraction, you may be apprehensive about the process and what it entails. At Center for Contemporary Dentistry, we understand that knowledge and understanding can make any dental procedure less intimidating, and that’s why we created this guide to help you understand the steps involved with tooth extractions.
Step 1: Evaluation and Consultation
Before any tooth extraction, your dentist must evaluate the tooth’s condition and discuss your medical history to ensure the procedure is safe. During the consultation, your dentist may take X-rays to evaluate the extent of the damage or decay. They may also discuss options for anesthesia or sedation, depending on the tooth’s condition, location, and preferences. Once the evaluation is complete, your dentist will provide pre-operative instructions, such as not eating or drinking for a specific amount of time before the procedure.
Step 2: Extraction Procedure
On the day of the procedure, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with local anesthesia. This will ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the extraction. If you’re nervous, your dentist may provide sedation to help you relax during the procedure. Once the area is numb, your dentist will use specialized instruments to loosen the tooth from the socket and remove it carefully.
Step 3: Post-Extraction Care
After we have extracted the tooth, your dentist will provide post-operative instructions to ensure you heal quickly and effectively. We may have you bite on a gauze pad for several minutes to help control bleeding. You’ll also need to avoid certain activities for a specific time, such as smoking, drinking through a straw, or eating hard foods. Your dentist may also prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage discomfort.
Step 4: Follow-Up Appointment
After the extraction procedure, your dentist will typically schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your healing process. Depending on the tooth’s location and extent of damage, your dentist may recommend options for restoring the area, such as our dental implants in Vacaville, California, dental crowns and bridges, or partial dentures. Follow-up appointments allow your dentist to monitor your healing progress, evaluate the potential need for future dental work, and ensure you’re comfortable following the procedure.
Vacaville Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies are unfortunate but are a fact of life. Knowing what steps to take during a dental emergency can help save your teeth and prevent further damage. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, our expert team, including Dr. Randy Johnson, Dr. Amro Elkhatieb, and Dr. Pratik Patel, can help you get the dental care you need when you need it. We can help put your mind at ease during a stressful and painful situation.
Center for Contemporary Dentistry strives to provide our patients with the most comfortable and effective dental care possible. If you have any other questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us at our office and schedule an appointment.