Dental emergencies happen without discretion, and they often have a funny knack for occurring when it’s least convenient! That said, when you do suffer a dental emergency, contacting your emergency dentist quickly is the best way to ensure that your smile isn’t in any serious danger. But you might not know what to expect when you show up for your emergency dental visit, which can sometimes make things stressful. Keep reading to learn about four things you can anticipate when you arrive so that your appointment goes as smoothly as possible.
1. Same-Day Treatment (If Necessary)
With any dental emergency, time is of the essence; the sooner you contact your dentist, the sooner that you’ll be able to receive treatment. However, your dentist will determine if you need to be seen immediately. Some types of dental emergencies, like knocked-out teeth, need to be addressed as soon as possible. But minor injuries like chipped or cracked teeth can usually wait a day or two, depending on the severity of the injury. Your dentist will also advise you on how to manage any discomfort in the meantime.
2. Emergency Dental Examination
An emergency dental examination is different than your average, routine dental checkup. Rather than assessing the overall health of your mouth, your emergency dentist will focus solely on the problem area in order to quickly identify the problem and determine an appropriate course of action. Sometimes X-rays can be taken to detect possible inflammation or infection that’s invisible to the naked eye.
3. Possibility of Sedation or Anesthetics
In some instances, your dentist might have to use anesthetics or sedation to treat you, but this is nothing you need to worry about—it’s completely safe! Your dentist’s top priority is your comfort, and sedation is one way to ensure that you don’t feel stressed or anxious during your visit. Some types of treatment also require sedation or anesthesia, regardless of the level of pain you’re experiencing.
4. Pain Relief & a Restored Smile
Dental emergencies can affect the look, feel, and functionality of your smile—while sometimes being quite painful! But as soon as you’re seated in your dentist’s chair, they’ll work to provide you with pain relief and a restored smile. Some common dental emergencies that can easily be addressed by your dentist include:
- Toothaches and hypersensitivity.
- Chipped, fractured, or displaced teeth.
- Broken dentures, bridges, or other restorations.
- Gums, lips, and tongue injuries.
- Jaw pain or clenching.
- Dental infection care.
Upon experiencing any sort of dental emergency, your first move should always be contacting your emergency dentist and coordinating a visit. And knowing what to expect upon showing up can ensure that things go smoothly, and your smile receives the quick care that it needs.
About the Practice
Rancho Park Dental Group proudly serves patients and families in Rancho Park and the surrounding area under the leadership of Dr. Nicole Sassounian and Dr. Albert Silvera. Together they combine several years of experience and expertise to provide their patients with an elite level of dental care. Their practice is pleased to offer many available services including emergency dentistry. If you or a loved one is suffering from a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment: (310) 575-0886.