Emergency Dentistry Questions Answered
Dental emergencies are rarely convenient. Dealing with oral pain, swelling, or bleeding rightly becomes the most urgent problem in your life. Once you get your emergency dental appointment, you may feel anxious or unsure about what comes next. You are not alone! At the Placerville Dental Group, our goal is to make sure you always feel supported in emergency situations by first calming your worries and then providing quick relief. At the same time, we ensure you understand and agree with any type of treatment you receive.
Typical Emergency Dentistry Concerns
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear when emergency dental care with oral surgery is involved.
Why pull my tooth?
In an emergency, a tooth may need to be removed when it can’t be saved and is causing pain, infection, or risk to your overall oral health. This can happen due to deep decay, a severe crack, trauma, or an infection that has spread below the surface of the tooth. Many types of damage simply cannot be repaired and require a restoration, such as a dental implant or crown.
Rest assured, because pulling a tooth is never our first choice. Whenever possible, we work diligently to save the natural tooth, but in urgent situations, extraction may be the most efficient way to stop your pain and prevent the issue from getting worse. If a tooth extraction is recommended, we explain exactly why so that you are confident it is the right decision.
Wisdom teeth are another common reason patients come to us for emergency care. When wisdom teeth become impacted (stuck below the gum line or in the jawbone, often growing at odd angles), they can cause intense jaw pain, swelling, and dangerous pressure on surrounding teeth. When problems suddenly show up, they deserve prompt attention. Impacted wisdom teeth often require anesthesia or oral conscious sedation as part of the treatment plan.
How do you manage my pain?
Before starting any emergency treatment, we explain your options for managing pain and anxiety. The Placerville Dental Group offers oral conscious sedation to help you stay relaxed and comfortable during treatment. If a different type of comfort management is needed based on your procedure, we provide other recommendations. No matter the procedure, we answer all of your questions and address any concerns you have to make sure you feel confident before moving forward.
What should I expect during recovery?
Every patient and every situation is different. After your treatment, we discuss what recovery should look like for you specifically, based on the procedure and your overall health. Soreness and swelling are common after emergency dental procedures, but with proper aftercare, these symptoms typically decrease within a few days. More involved procedures may take a little longer to heal.
We want your recovery to be as effective and painless as possible, so we provide you with clear, practical aftercare instructions. These include the best way to manage discomfort, reduce swelling, and protect the area while it heals. You may need to fill some prescriptions at your preferred pharmacy for painkillers and/or antibiotics. And our team at the Placerville Dental Group is just a phone call away at any time, day or night to answer any additional questions or concerns that you have.
Some patients try to push through recovery, returning to their normal daily activities quickly. That’s often not recommended. Rest plays a big role in recovery. We understand that emergencies disrupt work or school, but not getting the necessary rest delays getting better. If you need documentation for a modified work/school schedule or time off, just let us know.
Don’t Wait with Pain
Dental emergencies are stressful, so don’t face them alone! If you’re dealing with sudden tooth pain, swelling, or a dental injury, the Placerville Dental Group is here to help. We offer 24/7 care that will ease your mind, relieve your pain, and protect your health. Reach out to us with any questions you have!
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