When your smile gets hit with the worst, you want a skilled emergency dentist ready to take care of you. Knowing ahead of time what to expect from an emergency dentist appointment can help alleviate some anxiety. The more you know, the smoother the experience can be.
What to Expect From an Emergency Dentist Appointment
Calling the Office
Your emergency dental care starts before you even set foot in the office. When you have an emergency on your hands, the first thing to do is call your local dentist’s office.
Emergency dental staff are trained to walk you through any immediate steps for your situation. In an emergency, our instincts might not always prove correct. So, having a professional provide tips can make a huge difference.
You can then set up a time to come in. Usually, this will be right away.
Evaluating the Situation
Time is of the essence in an emergency. However, making mistakes can prove even more costly. The first thing your dentist will do is take the time to fully evaluate your situation.
They will go over:
- Your symptoms
- Any physical damage to your teeth or gums
- Medical history and current medications
Depending on the situation, you may need to have some X-rays. Fortunately, these take a matter of seconds and provide detailed imagery of your jaw and teeth. In many emergencies, the actual problem can lie beneath the gums.
Preparing for Your Treatment
Treatment starts with administering local anesthetic. The dental numbing anesthetic can begin working quickly and should thoroughly numb the treatment area within several minutes.
In some cases, you may also receive some form of sedation. Emergencies are hardly the most relaxing of situations to begin with. On top of that, many patients may already have dental anxiety. Sedation helps smooth out the situation and relieve stress.
Having Your Treatment
Once you are numbed up and ready, your dentist can start your treatment. Common treatments include:
- Root Canal: Treats an infected tooth or a tooth with the pulp exposed due to a break or decay. Timely treatment is essential to prevent the tooth from dying.
- Extraction: Severely damaged or decayed teeth may need removal to preserve oral health.
Treatments can range from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on your situation. Emergency extractions tend to take less time. However, a root canal may require a longer treatment duration.
After Your Visit
By the end of your procedure, your smile should be back in good shape. However, you may need to take it easy for a few days, depending on the treatment. For example, emergency extractions can take a few days to heal.
If you had dental sedation, you may need to have someone drive you home. Some forms of sedation, such as laughing gas, wear off quickly. Others may wear off more slowly. For example, oral sedation can leave you drowsy for some time after treatment.
You should quickly begin to notice relief from your symptoms. Depending on your treatment, you may feel some soreness at the treatment sites for a few days. Your dentist will provide you with comprehensive post-treatment instructions. Follow these carefully, and your smile should be set up for success.
What Makes an Emergency Dentist Appointment Successful?
A Compassionate Dentist
An experienced dentist will understand that a patient needs compassion and understanding in an emergency. They should keep a level head and help facilitate a sense of calm and security. A skilled professional will be an anchor of calm when a situation starts tense or frightening.
A Communicative Patient
In an emergency, the more your clinician knows about the situation, the better they can help. On the patient side, this means providing as clear a description as possible. Lay out your situation, explain your symptoms, and report your medical history as well as you can. You do not need to be perfect. But painting a clear picture for your dentist can go a long way.
A Supportive Staff
A dentist will need a skilled team to support them during treatments. The right emergency dentist will have staff members who are prepared and calm during such situations. Like the dentist, they should make you feel welcome and promote a calm environment.
Have Your Emergency Endodontist on Call
Dr. Maz has been serving the LA community for years as a go-to emergency endodontist. Save his number and have him on speed dial for when life throws the unexpected at you.