You’re out enjoying an evening walk with your family when you suddenly stumble and fall to the ground. Immediately, you feel a sharp pain and realize that you’ve cracked one of your teeth. Trying to stay calm, you call the dentist to find out how to handle this type of situation and when you can be seen for immediate treatment. A situation like this is not uncommon, and dentists prepare for sudden injuries like this all of the time. But what happens during an emergency dental visit? Keep reading to find out what you can expect before arriving for your appointment.
What Happens First?
The first step when faced with a dental emergency is to call and speak to a member of the dental staff. The type of injury you sustain as well as its severity will determine how quickly you can expect to see the dentist.
In many dental offices, same-day appointments are available, as team members often make sure there is time available throughout the day should emergency patients need help.
What is the Process of an Emergency Exam?
Once arriving at your dentist’s office, you can expect to undergo digital scans and visual examinations to pinpoint the problem area. While in many cases it may be evident (i.e., a knocked-out tooth), others may not be as noticeable (i.e., serious infection or crack that exists below the gumline).
Once the problem is identified, your dentist will formulate a treatment plan that details how to address the issue. One or multiple services may be required to fix the injured area, but you can expect that your dental team will go over the proposed plan beforehand.
How Are Most Dental Emergencies Treated?
The type of treatment you receive is based on the kind of injury you sustain. Toothaches or infections may require root canal therapy or tooth extraction, whereas a chipped or cracked tooth might involve something as simple as cosmetic bonding or something more invasive like a custom dental crown.
Everything from antibiotics, dental fillings, crowns, veneers, root canals, and tooth extractions are all possible treatment options when dealing with a dental emergency. Your dentist will go over which one is right for you during this visit, ensuring you agree and are ready to undergo proper care.
It’s natural to be a bit uncertain about an emergency dental visit, but you can trust that your dentist has your safety and comfort in mind and will work diligently to help you out of pain as quickly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Shane Smith is a trusted dentist in Jonesboro who received his dental doctorate at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. After working at various dental offices throughout Northeast Arkansas, Southeast Missouri, and Memphis, he made a home in Jonesboro and continues to pursue continuing education courses to advance and hone his skills. Recognizing that dental emergencies can happen any time, any place, he offers same-day appointments should a serious toothache or knocked-out tooth require immediate care. Visit our website or call (870) 932-2644 to find out what you can expect when visiting us for a dental injury.