Although brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily can prevent many common dental problems, there’s no guarantee that you’ll never have an emergency. Unexpected oral issues can happen to people of all ages, genders, or walks of life, potentially at any time.
When it comes to your teeth, getting help quickly is the best way to safeguard your smile in urgent situations. Understanding what to expect from your appointment can help set your frayed nerves at ease. Continue reading to learn 3 things that typically happen during emergency dental visits!
Step #1: Exam & Imaging
When you arrive, your dental team will update your medical history and list any current medications or supplements you’re taking to avoid recommending any services or drugs that might negatively interfere. Then, they’ll examine your mouth to identify the extent of the damage done and the underlying cause. In many cases, they’ll also take X-rays to ensure the issue hasn’t progressed below the surface of your gums.
Once they have a comprehensive understanding of what they’re working with, they can provide one or more treatment suggestions and walk you through the details for your approval before proceeding. For example, if you show up with a toothache and they find signs of infection, they might recommend a root canal or, in severe cases, extraction and replacement.
Step #2: Preparation & Pain Relief
Then, depending on your circumstances, they will prepare your mouth for the agreed-upon procedure (s). This usually involves administering a local anesthetic that prevents the nerves in your teeth and jaw from sending pain signals to your brain so that you remain calm and comfortable throughout your visit.
If you have injured or decayed teeth, they might also need to remove the damaged materials before they can proceed. This might also be required for certain restorations, like dental crowns, to fit over a troublesome tooth so you can continue using it to eat and speak normally.
Step #3: Treatment Plan & Procedure
Once your mouth is clean and any necessary preparation is completed, your dentist will begin repairing the problem. Sometimes, like if you need a tooth-colored filling to fix a cavity, they can complete the treatment from start to finish in a single appointment.
However, if your teeth or gums are more severely injured, they might start your procedure during your first appointment and finish it at another time. For instance, if you need an emergency root canal, they can clear away the infected materials and seal your tooth when you arrive. Then, they’ll make impressions of your teeth to design a dental crown to restore your smile, which will require a second appointment to cement into place.
No two dental emergencies are exactly alike, but your provider has the necessary expertise and equipment to improve your oral health regardless of your current condition!
Meet the Author
Dr. Mina Iskander has 20+ years of experience helping people enhance their lives by improving their dental well-being. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from October 6 University and then achieved an advanced study diploma in Oral and Dental Surgery from Cairo University. He then moved to the United States and graduated with a DMD from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. He offers a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your needs at under one roof, including emergency care. Then, he combines a friendly approach with state-of-the-art technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (502) 671-5087.