Protect Oral Health with Same Day Emergency Appointments By Craig Goldin DDS on December 11, 2017

When a dental emergency strikes, taking fast action is essential to protecting oral health. Whether suffering from a toothache, chipped tooth, or dislodged tooth, seeking emergency dentistry treatment immediately after an incident can help alleviate discomfort and prevent tooth loss.

At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute, our dentists provide same day emergency appointments to patients in Troy, MI to help preserve oral health and protect the smile. Our staff is standing by to help you through your dental emergency and ensure you get the care you need as soon as possible.

Common Dental Emergencies

Some common dental emergencies treated during same day appointments by our team of dentists include:

Dislodged teeth
Chipped or fractured teeth
Toothache
Loose or missing dental fillings
Loose or dislodged dental crowns
Damaged porcelain veneers

What to Do if a Tooth Becomes Dislodged

One of the most serious dental emergencies is a permanent tooth becoming dislodged. If a tooth becomes dislodged, it’s essential to schedule an emergency dental appointment the same day; a dentist may be able to save the tooth by repositioning it within the mouth.

The success of treatment often begins with taking the rights steps as soon as a tooth falls out. In the event a permanent tooth falls out, following these steps can help prevent tooth loss.

Hold the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the roots of the tooth. Gently rinse the tooth in water and try to place the tooth back into its socket. If you are able to place the tooth back in the socket, place a piece of gauze over the tooth and gently bite down to hold the tooth in place.

If you cannot place the tooth back in its socket, store the tooth in a container of milk. If milk is not available, the tooth can be kept in the mouth, next to the cheek (being careful not to swallow the tooth) or in a container of saliva.

What to Expect During a Same Day Emergency Appointment

During a same day emergency dental appointment, an examination will be done to determine the extent of damage. Based on the extent of damage or severity of the emergency, a treatment plan will be devised. Some common treatments include:

Tooth replacement: For those with a dislodged tooth, the tooth will be repositioned within the socket if possible. In some cases, the tooth may be too damaged to place back in the socket and may require replacement with a dental bridge or dental implant and crown.
Root canal therapy: When a toothache is the reason for an emergency appointment, the tooth will be checked to see if a root canal infection is present. If an infection is present, root canal therapy will be performed to remove the infected root and nerve tissue from the tooth. A dental crown will then be placed to protect the tooth and prevent further damage.
Dental restoration: Some chipped or broken teeth may be restored with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. When damage is too severe to repair with bonding or veneers, a dental crown may be placed to restore the strength, appearance, and function of tooth.