Emergency Dentist

What is considered a dental emergency?

A dental emergency typically involves significant pain or swelling. Pain levels below five on a scale of one to ten might be okay to wait out, but severe pain or swelling, particularly around the neck, signals an emergency. This could be life-threatening, such as potentially obstructing the airway.

When should I see an emergency dentist, go to an emergency room, or schedule a regular dental appointment?

The decision depends on pain severity and health risk. Intolerable pain requires an emergency dentist visit, while life-threatening issues like airway obstruction necessitate an emergency room visit. If pain is manageable, it's preferable to wait for your regular dentist, who understands your dental history.

What are common types of dental emergencies and what can be done?

Common dental emergencies include intense pain, significant swelling, infections, and denture sores. Removing dentures can often relieve denture sores, but tooth-related issues, like infections, need immediate professional care. Broken or fractured teeth, if not painful, aren't typically emergencies and can wait until a regular appointment.

What can be done about dental emergencies?

In severe cases, treatment might involve cleaning, antibiotics, extraction, or root canals. For denture pain, an adjustment is often necessary. Emergency care aims to relieve pain and address the root cause of the emergency.

When is an emergency dental extraction needed?

Emergency extractions are considered in cases of severe infection, extensive damage, or when financial constraints make other treatments less viable. Saving a tooth is always preferred, but sometimes, especially with bad breaks or infections, extraction is the only option. Understanding all available options is crucial in these scenarios.

Can you explain painless anesthesia options and the role of bone grafts?

At Integrity Dental, we implement various techniques to make dental injections, a common source of fear, more tolerable. Firstly, we apply a gel to the gums, which reduces the sensation when the needle is inserted. Additionally, we leverage the concept that pressure sensors can override pain sensors. During anesthesia, I massage the area while administering the injection to distract from the pain. My assistants also help by tapping the patient's shoulder, providing a further distraction.

To divert the patient's attention, we offer entertainment options like music or Netflix. Pre-procedural measures, such as using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or Valium (a prescription medication), can also alleviate nervousness and make the injection process less daunting.

We ensure our anesthetic is warmed to body temperature, as injections at this temperature are less noticeable compared to those administered cold. Additionally, choosing less painful injection sites is crucial, which reflects the dentist's skill and experience. I've learned from seasoned dentists who've shared tips and tricks to minimize pain and make the anesthesia process less intimidating for our patients.

When might a bone graft be necessary?

Bone grafts are highly beneficial in several dental scenarios, particularly when extracting a tooth. Preserving more bone in the mouth is crucial, as bone is invaluable for various dental procedures. Whether it's for retaining natural teeth, inserting implants, or fitting dentures, having more bone provides a stronger foundation. For dentures, specifically, a greater amount of bone ensures better stability, leading to a more comfortable fit and fewer sore spots.

Therefore, implementing a bone graft during a tooth extraction is generally a good practice. While there's an associated cost, the long-term benefits make it a worthwhile investment. Additionally, when extracting a tooth, we often consider placing an implant simultaneously, provided there's sufficient healthy bone in the area. This approach is less invasive and more efficient, as it reduces the need for multiple procedures. Combining tooth extraction with immediate implant placement minimizes the overall trauma to the area, leading to less bleeding and a quicker, more streamlined treatment process.

Why might I need an emergency root canal?

When experiencing dental pain, it's often due to an infection in the tooth. This infection can lead to an emergency root canal, especially if the tooth has died. The internal part of the tooth, including the pulp and nerve, may start to deteriorate, causing significant discomfort.

A root canal, in simple terms, is akin to an internal filling for your tooth. The procedure involves removing the infected or dying nerve tissue. Removing this tissue usually provides some relief from pain, although it might not completely eliminate it. Performing a root canal during a pain emergency can be more challenging. If the tooth is inflamed ("hot"), it can be harder to achieve adequate anesthesia. This may require more anesthesia to ensure the patient is sufficiently numb. A skilled dentist is crucial in these situations, as they can effectively numb the tooth before proceeding with the root canal. Without proper anesthesia, a root canal can be extremely painful, as some horror stories attest.

Therefore, establishing a good relationship with a dentist ahead of time is important. Having a trusted dentist can be crucial in managing emergency situations more effectively, compared to seeking treatment from an unknown emergency dentist.

Do you offer same day care?

When a patient is in pain and requires emergency dental treatment, our ability to provide immediate care can't always be guaranteed. This uncertainty often arises if our schedule is heavily booked with other emergencies. Despite this, I want to emphasize that alleviating a patient's pain and administering necessary treatment is our top priority.

Both Dr. Comerci and I are committed to this approach. We actively look for ways to accommodate urgent cases, such as rearranging our schedules, working through lunch breaks, or even coming in during off-hours if needed. The extent of the emergency and the specific treatment required will guide our actions. Our goal is always to ensure that patients in pain receive the timely and effective care they need.

Can I schedule late hour appointments?

Yes, it is possible to provide timely treatment for patients in pain, but this is subject to the dentist's discretion and availability. As a dentist serving the Pueblo community, my primary goal is to help those in distress. The satisfaction and joy of helping people in pain are key reasons I chose dentistry.

I make concerted efforts to adjust my schedule to accommodate patients in severe pain, aiming to provide prompt treatment. However, I also have personal commitments, including family and other responsibilities, which might occasionally prevent same-day treatment. Our practice is adept at arranging patient treatment quickly, especially for those in serious need or experiencing significant pain. We typically manage to provide some form of pain relief within a day or two. It's rare for a patient in pain to wait more than three days for treatment, and we strive to address such cases on the same day whenever possible.

Can I be seen on weekends?

Currently, our dental practice is unable to offer weekend appointments due to staffing limitations. However, accommodating patients who are unable to visit during regular business hours is a goal we are actively working towards. We understand the importance of being available for those experiencing dental pain or other dental needs outside of the typical weekday schedule. Expanding our service to include weekend hours is something we aspire to achieve in the future, to better serve our patients and the community.

If you need help with a dental emergency, please call us at Integrity Dental, (719) 745-5565, and we'll do our best to assist you as soon as we can.