A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate treatment. This can include severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, or broken teeth. An emergency cosmetic dentist is a specialist who can handle these issues. They can treat patients quickly and effectively while ensuring that the long-term cosmetic effect of the treatment is considered.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
While the enamel on your teeth is some of the toughest tissue in your body, it’s not impervious to damage. Falls, blows to the mouth, or biting down on hard foods can all cause a tooth to break or chip.
If you chip a tooth, see your emergency cosmetic dentist right away to address the issue and prevent further damage. Rinse your mouth with water to clean the area, and control any bleeding by applying pressure to the area with a piece of gauze or a cloth. Icing the area also helps reduce swelling and pain, as can an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Depending on the severity of your chip, your doctor may recommend either minor or major repair procedures. For small cosmetic chips, your dentist can add a filling with a tooth-colored resin, or he or she can use a dental bonding procedure to cover the damaged area of the tooth. This solution is quick and painless.
Knocked Out Teeth
Severe traumatic injuries, including knocked out teeth, require emergency treatment. If the tooth is not reattached, permanent damage can occur. For instance, the remaining teeth might shift into the empty space and cause bite issues or even bone loss.
Knocked out teeth can often be saved if the patient gets to the dentist quickly enough. The dentist might be able to reattach the tooth or use a dental implant or bridge to replace the missing tooth.
The first step in preserving a knocked out tooth is to rinse it carefully with water. It is important to avoid touching the root of the tooth and handling it roughly. If possible, try to place the tooth back into its socket, but if not, keep it between the gum and cheek. Storing the tooth in milk or saline solution can also help. It is important to avoid storing it in water because the liquid might dry out the tooth and reduce its chances of being reattached.
Infections
A sudden onset of pain and/or swelling in the mouth or jaw can be a sign of an infection that requires emergency dental care. Infected gums, severe tooth decay, and untreated cavities are all common causes of an infection that can turn into a painful abscess. The dentist will drain the abscess under local anesthetic, and may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Infections that go untreated can spread from the oral cavity to other areas of the head and neck. These infections can also cause sepsis, a life-threatening illness that affects multiple organs. An emergency cosmetic dentist will drain an abscess, splint broken teeth, and treat other injuries to the mouth to prevent further damage.
Injuries to the mouth or face can lead to lacerations in the cheeks and lips, or to a dislocated jaw. A cosmetic dentist who practices emergency dentistry can treat these injuries to minimise scarring and improve the patient’s appearance. They can also repair damaged braces and other dental appliances to restore their function.
TMJ Injuries
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jawbone to the skull on each side of the head. It’s susceptible to injuries and gradual deterioration that can cause a wide range of symptoms, from jaw pain and clicking sounds when chewing to chronic headaches.
Trauma to the TMJ often results in a central sensitization response that creates self-perpetuating pain patterns. It’s important to identify the source of TMJ problems, which can be difficult to pinpoint because many patients confuse the symptoms with other conditions.
Intrinsic injuries to the TMJ can be caused by sustained mouth opening and hyperextension, such as during dental procedures, endotracheal intubation, cheering, snorkeling or yawning. They also occur during direct jaw trauma, such as a blow to the face or neck. A dentist can diagnose TMJ problems with a combination of intra- and extraoral palpation, history taking and an intra-articular evaluation. Treatments may include analgesics, cryotherapy, thermotherapy, physical therapy, dietary management and stress reduction strategies.