When you have a dental emergency, it’s easy to think your issue is unique. Especially when it’s sudden, the resulting shock can make you feel alone. You may even believe you can’t know what’ll happen at your emergency dental visit. However, none of these ideas are true. Emergency dentists work on many conditions and always follow a specific protocol. No matter what you’re facing, your dental practice will have a prepared response. To prove it, here are some problems emergency dentists treat and three things that’ll happen at your upcoming visit.
What Problems Do Emergency Dentists Treat?
In most cases, people seek treatment for dental emergencies that involve ongoing pain and discomfort. Emergency dentists are thus trained to handle a variety of issues, including:
- Broken, Chipped, or Knocked-Out Teeth
- Toothaches
- Lost Fillings or Crowns
- Tooth Infections/Abscesses
- Wisdom Tooth Extraction
- Swollen Gums
What’ll Happen at an Emergency Dental Visit?
Even though dental issues differ from one another, an emergency visit will absolutely do the three things below. Take a look!
An Emergency Exam
Once you arrive, your dentist will first perform an emergency dental exam. After all, they need to know the nature of your problem.
For this exam, the dentist will look for signs of concern like gum inflammation or infection. They might also see if you have any exposed tooth nerves. In most cases, they’ll take X-rays of your mouth to help things along.
(Temporary) Pain Relief
Because patients frequently visit for pain, emergency dentists take every step possible to address your discomfort. In-office, they might do an injection to offer fast relief. They could also prescribe painkillers for you to take at home. If your soreness is related to an infection, they’ll likely give you antibiotics to clear the harmful bacteria.
Treatment for Your Issue
Of course, managing pain isn’t the same as fully solving your problem. Your dentist may need you to attend an extra visit to do that. However, they can offer a short-term solution in the meantime.
In the case of a broken tooth, the dentist could remove some of the gum and reduce inflammation. If you need a dental crown, they could give you a temporary one until something permanent is ready. Antibiotics can also help prepare you for root canal therapy.
There’s no need to worry too much about your visit with the emergency dentist. As you can see, they’ll know what to do thanks to their standard policies!
About the Practice
Sound Dentistry is based in New Bedford, MA. As led by Dr. Moftah El-Ghadi, the practice has a stellar reputation as a high-quality dental care provider. Its staff takes pride in offering ultra-modern preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry and emergency dental treatments. Overall, the team is equipped to help dental patients of all ages — from young children to older adults. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (508)-996-6777.