Emergency Dental Care
Nobody can predict a dental emergency, but when one strikes, you need a plan and a dental office you can rely on. Marconi Dental, located in Carmichael, California, has the advanced tools and techniques needed to provide care for any dental emergency. If you are experiencing tooth pain or trauma to your mouth, call the office immediately, and our friendly staff can assist you.
What are emergency dental services?
In short, emergency dental services are for oral healthcare needs that can’t wait for a regularly scheduled appointment. If you experience significant tooth pain or a knocked-out tooth, you need to reach out for care immediately.
At Marconi Dental, we keep some scheduling availability every day for dental emergencies. Just call ahead and describe the issue you’re experiencing, and our friendly staff will let you know what to do and find a time in the schedule for you to arrive.
What are some reasons I might need emergency dental services?
Many situations might call for emergency dental services. These include:
- Knocked-out teeth
- Significant tooth pain
- Tooth abscesses
- Broken teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Loose permanent teeth
- Broken restorations, such as bridges or crowns
- Objects stuck between the teeth
If you have a question as to whether your situation constitutes a dental emergency, call our office and ask for assistance. We will let you know if you need to come to our office immediately or if it can wait for a regularly scheduled appointment.
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a common emergency dental service. It is often used to cure tooth pain caused by an infection inside the tooth.
In fact, a root canal saves your tooth by removing the pulp inside it. The pulp is a soft, fleshy tissue in the center of the tooth. It contains blood vessels and nerves. It is essential for the tooth’s early development, but once the tooth has emerged in childhood or adolescence, it is no longer needed.
In most cases, tooth pulp becomes damaged due to significant decay or dental trauma, such as a direct impact to the tooth. You will experience severe tooth pain, and if infection is the cause, it can quickly spread to other areas of your mouth. In extreme cases, the infection can even enter your bloodstream.
After the pulp is removed, we replace it with a biocompatible material. That preserves your tooth and restores your oral health. Sometimes we will place a crown after a root canal to provide extra protection.
What are some signs that I might need an emergency root canal?
Here are some signs that you need to call Marconi Dental for emergency dental services or a root canal:
- Painful chewing
- Sensitivity to cold or hot foods and drinks
- Bad breath
- Swelling
- Fever
- Tooth discoloration
- Loose teeth
When you arrive at Marconi Dental for emergency dental services, our team takes X-rays to confirm if a root canal is needed.
What happens if a root canal can’t save my tooth?
During a dental emergency, a root canal can’t always save a tooth. Another emergency dental service offered at Marconi Dental is tooth extraction.
If your tooth is beyond repair due to infection or significant trauma, a tooth extraction removes the entire structure, including the crown and root portion. The procedure isn’t painful because we use advanced anesthetics.
You might need an emergency tooth extraction if you have:
- Significant tooth decay
- A tooth cracked near the gumline
- An infected tooth
- Severe tooth pain
- Impacted wisdom teeth
An abscessed tooth is another dental emergency that could call for a tooth extraction. An abscess is a pus-filled sack that grows at the root of a tooth. If it ruptures, the infection can spread throughout your mouth and even into your blood.
There are two types of emergency dental service extractions, including:
Simple extraction
If the affected tooth is fully visible above the gumline, we can usually perform a simple extraction. We use a small tool called a dental elevator to gently loosen the tooth before quickly removing it. The procedure is brief, and many people don’t even realize we removed the tooth until it is already out.
Surgical extraction
If your tooth broke off at the gumline and the roots are still attached to your jaw, you’ll need a surgical extraction. During this procedure, we make a small incision in the gums to access and remove the tooth.
Why you can’t ignore tooth pain
Tooth pain includes throbbing, aching, or general discomfort that affects a tooth and nearby oral structures. If it persists for more than a day, take action by calling Marconi Dental. Lasting tooth pain should never be ignored because it is usually a sign of an infection.
If you are experiencing tooth pain or are affected by dental trauma, you need emergency dental services. Call Marconi Dental for assistance. We can usually fit you in for an emergency dental appointment on the same day.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
For a more traumatic injury such as a tooth that has been moved or loosened, treatment needs to occur within six hours. However, if there is uncontrollable bleeding, go immediately to the ER. Fortunately, other dental injuries that happen most frequently are less severe. The most common traumatic dental injuries are chipped teeth. If a tooth is chipped, try to find any pieces that have come off, as it might be possible to reattach them. Make an appointment for an office visit as soon as possible, and bring the pieces with you.
Learn more about Traumatic Dental Injuries.
Tooth Pain
Learn more about Tooth Pain.
Gum Emergencies
Injuries and infections involving the soft tissues of the mouth may also require emergency treatment. The tissues of the gums, tongue, or cheek lining can be damaged by accidental bites, falls, sports injuries, and scalding liquids. They may also suffer injury from foreign bodies that become lodged below the gum line, and they can develop painful and potentially serious abscesses. A periodontal (gum) abscess is a pus-filled sac caused by an infection and is usually quite painful. Abscesses require immediate attention at the dental office.
Any injury to the soft tissues of the mouth should be rinsed with dilute salt water. If there is visible debris, it should be cleared. Bleeding can usually be controlled by pressing a clean, damp material to the area for 10-15 minutes. If this does not work, go to the emergency room immediately.
A foreign body lodged beneath the gum line can sometimes be gently worked out with dental floss or a toothpick. But if this can’t be accomplished easily, make a dental appointment so the area does not become damaged and/or infected.
Learn more about Gum Emergencies.
Orthodontic Emergencies
Although there can be discomfort associated with orthodontic treatment, there are only a few true orthodontic emergencies. They include trauma or injury to the teeth, face or mouth. Infection or swelling of the gums, mouth or face, and severe, unmanageable discomfort or pain in these areas can also be orthodontic emergencies. In any of these situations, seek immediate care from the dental office or emergency room — whichever is your best option. For loose, broken or irritating pieces of orthodontic hardware, please call the dental office for advice.
Learn more about Orthodontic Emergencies.
Are you ready to learn more about the emergency dental services we offer at Marconi Dental? We are currently accepting new patients, so call our office today to learn more. You can also contact us regarding appointment availability using this website. We want you to be a part of the Marconi Dental family, so call today!
