New Haven Dental Group is a 42 North Dental Care, PLLC practice and is owned and operated by dentists Dr. Samuel Shames, DDM. and Dr. Ronald Weissman, DDM. Gentle Dental is supported by 42 North Dental, LLC, a dental support organization that provides non-clinical administrative and business support services to the practice. 42 North Dental, LLC does not own or operate the dental practice or employ dentists to provide dental services. Find more information about 42 North Dental, LLC and the dental practices it supports at 42northdental.com.
Urgent oral health problems can occur at any time. If you ever find yourself facing such an issue, you should see your emergency dentist ASAP. But what if you feel some anxiety surrounding your treatment? Knowing what to expect may put your mind at ease. Read this blog post to learn about the treatments that are often used to address five of the most common dental emergencies.
Toothache
It is important to understand that a toothache is not a dental problem. Rather, it is a symptom that points to a dental problem. It can be caused by a number of different issues. However, if your toothache is severe and throbbing, it probably stems from an infection in the tooth’s innermost layer (its pulp).
Root canal therapy is the preferred treatment for cleaning out infected dental pulp and ending a severe toothache. The procedure is much more comfortable than most people think!
Of course, if the damage to the tooth is particularly severe, you may need to get it extracted altogether.
Chipped/Cracked Tooth
Even if your cracked or chipped tooth is not in pain, you should still visit your dentist as soon as possible. The damage to your tooth could easily worsen, and it is more vulnerable to infection than healthy teeth. Plus, its jagged edges might irritate your soft oral tissues.
Often, chipped and cracked teeth are easy to repair with dental bonding. Your dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin to the tooth, harden it with a special curing light, and then shape it so it looks and feels as natural as possible. The procedure is fast and can provide several years of protection for your damaged tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
It might be possible for your dentist to splint a knocked-out tooth back into its socket, but only if you receive care within an hour or two of when the tooth got dislodged. (You should also make sure the tooth is stored properly in milk or a tooth preservation solution before your dental appointment.) After it is replanted, your body should reintegrate the tooth so it can once again function normally.
If replanting the tooth is not a viable option, your dentist will tend to the damage to your oral tissues and educate you about your tooth replacement options.
Lost Filling or Crown
Try to bring your dislodged filling or crown with you to your dental appointment; it might be possible for your dentist to permanently reattach it. In other cases, it is necessary to design an entirely new restoration and/or perform additional modifications to the underlying tooth.
Bleeding
If your bleeding is severe, head to the local emergency room, not your dentist’s office.
On the other hand, if your bleeding is persistent but not life-threatening, your dentist may simply clean the wound, stitch it, and provide instructions on how to care for it while you recover.
There is no need to be afraid of emergency oral care. Your dentist will do all they can to address your pain and get you on the road to recovery.
Meet the Practice
New Haven Dental Group has proudly served our community for decades. Our team of specialists and general dentists provides a range of treatments. We are often able to accept emergency patients on a same-day basis. To learn more about how we may be able to care for you, contact our office at 203-712-4068.