Emergency Dental

Should I Go to the Emergency Room or the Dentist?

When in doubt, go to the emergency room. But when faced with a sudden and severe dental issue, deciding between heading to the emergency room or seeking immediate care from a dentist specializing in emergency dentistry can be crucial. It’s important to understand that while emergency rooms can handle general medical crises, they may only sometimes have the specialized resources or expertise necessary for specific dental emergencies. On the other hand, we train our team to address urgent dental needs, offering targeted treatments such as pain relief, infection control, and, if needed, complex procedures. 

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

Understanding what qualifies as a dental emergency is crucial for ensuring timely care and can significantly impact the outcome of a dental crisis. Emergencies often arise without warning, and distinguishing between a situation that requires immediate attention and one that can wait for a regular dental appointment is vital. 

Quick and professional intervention in these cases can prevent further complications, alleviate pain, and, in some instances, mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Recognizing the signs of emergency situations underscores the importance of informed and proactive care in navigating the complexities of dental health.

Common scenarios qualifying as dental emergencies include:

• Severe Toothache

Suffering from a severe toothache is not just a matter of discomfort; it is an urgent signal from your body that something is amiss and requires immediate attention. In dental health, this pain level often indicates underlying issues that, if left unaddressed, could lead to significant complications, including infection or loss of the tooth. This is where emergency dentistry steps in as a critical resource. Professional care provided swiftly can alleviate the excruciating pain and diagnose and treat the root cause of the discomfort, safeguarding your oral health. It is crucial to recognize the severity of toothaches and understand that seeking emergency dental care is a proactive step toward maintaining your well-being.

• Broken Tooth

Whether your tooth has broken right in half or the crown has broken away from the root, this can be a severe emergency. Experiencing this emergency can be very painful and, if not taken care of right away, could have the potential to be a hotspot for decay to accumulate. The first step is to save the displaced piece, if possible. Contact us so that you can receive the immediate care needed to address the issue and prevent further damage. When it comes to broken teeth, time is of the essence. We have the knowledge and tools necessary to assess the severity of your situation and provide the appropriate treatments, ranging from minor repairs to more significant interventions if needed. Acting promptly can make a substantial difference in the outcome, helping to restore not just the function but also the appearance of your tooth. Rely on our emergency dentistry professionals to guide you through this unexpected situation with the utmost care and expertise.

• Knocked-Out Tooth

 Knocking out a tooth is very painful and could cause serious damage to surrounding tissues. Knowing the right steps to take can significantly improve your outcomes if you have a tooth knocked out. First and foremost, it is critical to remain calm and act swiftly to increase the chances of saving the tooth. Carefully pick up the tooth by the crown, avoiding any contact with the root, and gently rinse it without scrubbing to remove any dirt, ensuring not to detach any tissue fragments. If possible, reinsert the tooth into its socket, or alternatively, preserve the tooth in a container of milk or saliva. Immediately seek assistance from our emergency dentistry services, as timely intervention is paramount. We have the specialized knowledge and tools necessary to potentially reimplant the tooth and restore your smile, emphasizing the vital role of emergency dentistry in managing such acute dental injuries with expertise and precision.

• Signs of an Abscess, Such as Swelling or Fever

Recognizing the signs of an abscess is crucial for seeking timely intervention and is a significant aspect of emergency dentistry. An abscess, typically manifesting as a painful swelling filled with pus, can often be accompanied by fever, a clear indication of infection. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious oral health complications, making prompt action imperative. Other indicators include sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, a persistent throbbing toothache that can extend to the jawbone, and, in severe cases, difficulty swallowing or breathing. Identifying these symptoms early and consulting with a dental professional can mitigate the risk of further infection and ensure the preservation of oral health.

Minor Emergencies

Moving away from the emergencies that need same-day attention, there might be other emergencies that we should tend to as soon as you can get into our office. These other emergencies include: 

• Toothache or constant sharp and throbbing pain in a single tooth 
• Persistent swelling and bleeding of gums 
• An abscessed tooth, usually presenting in the tooth changing colors and being infected 
• Cracks and minor chips in teeth 

Emergency Dentistry Treatments

We’ll ensure that patients receive the most effective and immediate care possible to mitigate pain and prevent further damage to one’s oral health. Our emergency dentistry services range from pain relief and temporary fixes to more complex procedures, such as:

Root Canals

Root canal therapy in Marlton, New Jersey, can be crucial for alleviating pain and preserving the integrity of a tooth that you might otherwise lose to infection or decay. Often misunderstood and unfairly maligned, a root canal is a pain-relieving intervention that epitomizes the advancements in dental technology and technique. When performed by our skilled practitioners, this procedure mitigates the immediate discomfort often associated with dental emergencies and sets the foundation for the tooth’s long-term health. It can help patients recover swiftly and return to their daily lives with minimal disruption. 

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can provide relief and restoration for those facing dental traumas or sudden tooth decay. They are not merely a cosmetic solution but a fundamental aspect of preserving oral health and functionality. These meticulously crafted restorations, designed to encapsulate damaged teeth, ensure the integrity of your bite and the continuity of your smile. Whether addressing a fractured tooth or an unexpected cavity, the swift application of a dental crown in an emergency scenario can be the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. 

Extractions

Tooth extraction can be a pivotal solution for mitigating severe pain and preventing further oral health complications. We can swiftly evaluate the situation, ensuring that this course of action benefits the patient’s overall well-being. With advancements in dental technology and anesthesia, tooth extractions have become more efficient and less discomforting, offering a safe harbor for those in the throes of dental distress. 

Marlton Emergency Dentistry

Accidents do happen, and sometimes, they can cause a dental emergency. Experiencing a dental emergency can be painful and scary, especially when unsure how your tooth can be fixed or replaced. At Acorn Dental, our dentist and entire staff are trained to act quickly and professionally during an emergency to relieve pain and make you as comfortable as possible. Our patients and other residents in surrounding areas can rely on our emergency dentist, who is equipped and ready to help. 

At Acorn Dental, we can help relieve your pain and save your tooth in a dental emergency. Please contact us today if you believe you are suffering from a dental emergency, major or minor. You can also contact us for any of our quality dental services, including cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry.