What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit?

A dental emergency can occur at any time! When you are in pain, you may have a lot of thoughts running through your mind. For example, you might wonder what will happen when you visit your emergency dentist. In this blog post, you will learn the basic steps that your care team will take in order to identify the problem, provide pain relief, and start you on the road to recovery.

An Emergency Examination

Before your dentist can do anything for you, they should perform an examination so they can understand the situation. They should ask about your dental history and the symptoms you are experiencing. This initial consultation helps the dentist to understand the context of your dental issue and any underlying conditions that may be contributing to your discomfort. The dentist will also ask you to describe the pain, including its location, intensity, and the duration for which you have been experiencing it.

Your dentist will then perform a thorough physical examination of your mouth, teeth, gums, and other relevant structures. It is also likely that they will order X-rays to get a clearer view of the affected area.

Pain Relief Measures

Once your dentist understands the problem, the next priority is to manage your pain. Pain relief measures can vary depending on the severity and nature of your dental issue. Your dentist may administer a local anesthetic to numb the affected area, providing you with immediate relief. In cases where the pain is more generalized or severe, your dentist may prescribe medication to help you manage the discomfort.

If an infection is present, your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to address the underlying cause of your pain. This is important because untreated infections can spread quickly and lead to widespread tissue damage.

In addition to medication, your dentist may provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your mouth at home. This may include using cold compresses to reduce swelling, avoiding certain foods that may aggravate your condition, and maintaining proper oral hygiene to prevent further complications.

Treatment

After addressing your pain, your dentist will discuss the appropriate treatment options for your condition. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve procedures such as fillings, root canal therapy, or even an emergency tooth extraction. Your dentist will explain the recommended treatment plan and ensure that you understand the steps involved.

No matter the treatment, your dentist’s goal is to address the immediate issue while also caring for your long-term oral health. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

An emergency dental visit can help you get out of pain and back on the road to a healthy, strong, and fully functional smile!

Meet the Practice

At Cordini Periodontics, we always make efforts to accommodate emergency patients as soon as possible. We have a range of services, including emergency tooth extractions and more. If you would like our assistance with an urgent oral health problem, we invite you to contact our Louisville office at 502-425-5010.