What is emergency dentistry?
Emergency dentistry can include care for trauma, infections, and sudden pain, among other issues. To preserve your tooth and oral health, it’s important to see an emergency dentist if you have any of the following issues:
- Knocked-out tooth
- Overly sensitive tooth
- Tongue or cheek laceration
- Jaw issues, such as lockjaw
- Severe throbbing or aching tooth pain
Emergency dentistry is also important if you have a foreign object stuck in your mouth. For instance, if you bit down on a small piece of glass or plastic, it can become lodged in your gums or between your teeth. Without immediate treatment, you risk swallowing the foreign object or suffering from a serious wound.
Which emergency dentistry treatments are available?
The practice of Yelena Shapiro DDS is available to help you with all of your emergency dental issues. When you come in, Dr. Shapiro may numb the area right away with injections to provide instant relief. This way, you’re more comfortable as she examines you and takes any necessary X-ray images.
Depending on your specific diagnosis, Dr. Shapiro may provide any of the following emergency dentistry treatments:
- Sutures (laceration repair)
- Oral surgery
- Root canal
- Extraction
- Filling
Dr. Shapiro can also place a knocked-out tooth into the socket, as long as you properly care for it and the root is intact. If you knock out a tooth, make sure you handle it only by the crown — the part above your gumline — and keep it moist. Place it in a small container with your saliva or a small amount of milk until you get to the clinic.
How long does it take to recover from a dental emergency?
Recovering from a dental emergency, especially if you need oral surgery, can take some time. Dr. Shapiro generally recommends taking it easy for a few days and consuming only soft foods and liquids.
While swelling and tenderness are common after a dental emergency treatment, rest assured, your discomfort is going to improve with each passing day. Recovery can take as little as a week or two, all the way up to a month or more for more complex dental issues.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, contact the office of Yelena Shapiro DDS as soon as possible. You can book a visit online, but if you need same-day care, call the office directly.
