Emergency Dental Care

Same-Day Dental Emergency Treatment

We understand that dental emergencies never happen at a convenient time, and as such we try to see all of our emergency patients the same day that they call. While our goal is to always provide comprehensive care, in an emergency situation our goal is to get you comfortable and out of pain, and as such, we may provide palliative treatment to make you comfortable, and then schedule you for a longer appointment where we can render full treatment.

Below is a list of general information about dental emergencies. This information is for educational purposes only and is not designed to replace coming to the dentist:

• • Temporary crown out – even though we use strong cements, it’s possible for a dental crown to come out. If your temporary crown comes out, please call us and be sure to bring the crown with you. Do not try to recement the crown with other types of cement. If you are away on vacation and the crown is in an esthetic area, you can go to the drug store and purchase Fixodent (for dentures) and use the material to help hold the crown in until you can come in to the office

  • Tooth pushed back, forward, in, or down – when a tooth is moved out of its normal position, we call this a “luxation.” If you have a tooth that has been moved from its normal position, please call our office immediately. Because the mouth tends to heal very quickly, if a tooth is knocked out of position, it can heal back in the wrong position. Thus, it’s important that you contact us as soon as possible so we can try to put the tooth back in the proper position for correct healing

  • Tooth knocked out – if a tooth has been knocked out, please call the office immediately. When a tooth is knocked out of your mouth, the long-term prognosis for keeping the tooth is very poor, thus, it’s important that we treat you as soon as possible. If you have the tooth, do not wash, scrape or clean off the tooth. If at all possible, put the tooth in a cup of saliva or in milk. Doing so will help prolong the life of the tooth outside of the mouth.

  • Painful denture or denture sore spot – as much as we try to make dentures and removable partials 100% comfortable, denture sores can occur. If you have a denture sore, please call the office to come in to be seen. In addition, please make sure you wear the denture for a bit on the day before and of your appointment. If your denture hurts and you take it out for a week, when you come for treatment, the sore spot may have healed already and we wouldn’t be able to see it to adjust the denture

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If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait!

Unfortunately, unlike a bruise or a mild ankle sprain, dental problems generally do not resolve on their own. In fact, many dental conditions will get worse the longer they are left untreated. Call today so you can be comfortable eating and chewing again.

Dental Emergencies Q & A

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is an injury that can’t wait until regular business hours. These are time-sensitive injuries, such as having a tooth knocked out or a laceration to the tongue or gums that need immediate medical attention. Injuries sustained in sporting events or auto accidents often cause dental emergencies.

Small children are prone to dental emergencies as their teeth begin to grow in. While damaging a baby tooth isn’t always cause for alarm, damaging a permanent tooth will affect the child’s teeth for the rest of their lives. Prompt treatment both saves the tooth and prevents damage that could cause the child to have dental issues as they age.

When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?

While Dr. Cortes can treat minor dental emergencies, there are situations when you should immediately go to the emergency room for trauma care. Prime examples of when emergency or trauma care are necessary include:

• Uncontrollable bleeding

• Broken bones

• Extensive damage to the soft tissues of the mouth

• Damage that extends past the joint and to the ear

• Damage to the palate or epiglottis

The rule of thumb is if you have an open or gaping wound where you can see the fascia or bone below, the emergency room is the place to go. The same is true if there is obvious structural damage. A broken jaw may need surgery to repair. Never take chances if you’re unsure of the seriousness of an injury.

Can a Tooth Be Put Back If It's Knocked Out?

If a tooth has been knocked loose or has fallen out, it can be returned to the socket if you act promptly. Find the tooth as quickly as possible and place it in a small container of milk. Place a small piece of gauze over the socket but don’t press down.

It’s important to get to Dr. Cortes’s office quickly. The window to successfully implant a lost tooth back in the socket is less than 30 minutes, so time is of the essence. If the tooth is still in the socket but could possibly fall out, immobilize the area with gauze and visit Dr. Cortes immediately. The sooner you take action, the more likely it is that Dr. Cortes can save the tooth.