At Sensational Smiles, we are happy to serve patients who have a dental emergency, whether you are a current patient, or new to our office. If you are in pain or in need of same-day emergency dental services, we will do everything in our power to find you the earliest available appointment at our practice. We reserve time each day to handle emergency walk-in or same day appointments, however, in some cases, a next day appointment may be necessary.
Dental emergencies can be painful and often require prompt treatment. Most medical facilities are ill equipped to properly handle dental issues, which is why you need a dentist you trust. We understand that dental emergencies are often painful and can make your daily life miserable, which is why emergency care is an important part of our practice.
Once we have assessed the situation and determined your emergency we will be able to provide appropriate treatment. After emergency treatment, existing patients will usually require a re-evaluation to follow-up, while we may recommend a comprehensive dental exam for new patients.
Emergency Dental Treatments
You may require emergency care if you are experiencing any of these conditions or symptoms:
Cracked or Broken Teeth
Prompt treatment is needed for cracked or broken teeth to prevent infection and minimize permanent structure damage to the tooth. If there are any sharp edges you can cover them with an over the counter dental wax until your appointment.
[call]
Knocked-out teeth
When it comes to knocked-out teeth, minutes matter. Teeth that have fallen out stand the best chance of reinsertion if treatment is received within about an hour. If you can, place the tooth back into the socket, being careful to avoid touching the root. If that is not possible, place it in a glass of milk or water.
Severe toothache / pressure
Toothaches and pressure can be caused by several different conditions such as deep cavities or infection. If you are in pain, try using an icepack on the outside of the cheek and call our office as soon as possible for an appointment.
Sensitivity to temperature
Minor oral sensitivity to hot and cold is common and rarely is it ever a dental emergency, however if you have a tooth that suddenly becomes intensely sensitive, it may be a sign of infection or a crack and you should call the dentist’s office.
Abscesses
An abscess occurs when an infection travels deep to the root of the tooth. Abscessed teeth can produce very serious symptoms such as pain, fever, swollen neck glands, and bad breath. If you believe you have an abscess, it’s important to make an appointment right away.
Lost filling or other restoration
When a tooth with a filling or restoration such as a crown becomes compromised it can leave the tooth susceptible to further decay and damage. If you notice a loose filling or you’ve lost a crown or other restoration, call the office as soon as possible.
How do I know if my dental emergency requires a visit to the emergency room?
The first thing you should do in case of a dental emergency is to stay as calm as possible. While many dental emergencies can be treated at the next available appointment, there are some situations that require visiting an emergency room:
- Persistent bleeding that will not slow down
- Intense gum or facial swelling
- Trauma to the head, teeth , jaw, or face
What you should before arriving to our office
Do your best to control the bleeding and protect the damaged/injured tooth area. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen prior to coming into the office, as it can cause excessive bleeding. You can take acetaminophen.
While dental emergencies can be a very stressful situation, there is help available. At Sensational Smiles one of our top priorities is making sure patients have access to the dental care they need, whenever they need it. We have late evening and weekend slots available to make it as easy as possible for you to have your emergency resolved. If your emergency occurs during regular business hours, call us at [phone]. If your emergency occurs after normal business hours, call to reach our on-call team.
