4 Common Ways Your Dentist Might Treat a Dental Emergency

If you suddenly find yourself with a dental emergency, like a severe toothache or even a knocked-out tooth, you might be hesitant to visit your dentist. After all, you’re not even sure how they would treat your problem. The good news is that dentists have undergone advanced training to be able to handle all kinds of dental emergencies. No matter what you’re going through, your emergency dentist in Pleasant Grove can treat it painlessly. Here are four of the most common ways that they might treat your dental emergency.

1. Root Canal Therapy

Just hearing the words “root canal” often strikes fear into people’s heart, but this procedure is nothing to be scared of. In fact, it’s one of the most commonly used methods of treating a severe toothache, especially one that’s caused by a cavity.

When decay reaches the center of the tooth, known as the pulp, it often causes the mother of all toothaches. This is because the tooth’s nerves are located in the pulp. Root canal therapy removes the damaged pulp, relieving your pain and eliminating the infection. This prevents the infection from spreading to surrounding teeth or even other parts of the body.

2. Tooth Extraction

Removing a tooth is never your dentist’s first option. However, some teeth have simply been too damaged to be saved by other treatments like a dental crown or a root canal. If your dentist determines that an extraction is what’s best for your oral health, they’ll do their utmost to ensure the process is as smooth and painless as possible.

3. Fillings

Having an old filling fall out might not be as urgent as, say, a knocked-out tooth, but you should still call your dentist for treatment as soon as possible. While it might not hurt, losing a filling can leave the tooth more vulnerable to sensitivity and further damage. In most cases, the dentist will simply replace the old filling with a new one.

4. Tooth Reattachment

If your tooth has been fully dislodged, your dentist will attempt to reattach it by inserting it back into the socket. Ideally, you can start doing this before you even reach the dentist’s office. After the tooth is knocked out, gently rinse it off and place it back in the socket, taking care not to shift it or bite down too hard. A knocked-out tooth can usually only be successfully reattached within an hour, so get to your dentist’s office as soon as you can.

When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s natural to worry. However, you should be perfectly fine as long as you promptly call your dentist. Rest assured they have the skills required to get your smile back on track.

About the Practice

Bear Creek Family Dentistry has 11 convenient locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. No matter where you are in the area, we can offer same-day emergency treatment to relieve your pain and restore your smile. If you need urgent treatment for your dental emergency, visit our website.