Posts Tagged ‘emergency dentistry’

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Posted on: August 5th, 2011 by Nicholas Geller, DDS No Comments

People risk breaking their teeth or otherwise injuring their mouths while eating, playing, exercising, and participating in other seemingly harmless activities. It’s important to understand what to do in case of a dental emergency so that your tooth can be repaired when you are able to see a dentist. As we all know, accidents can and do happen. If you or someone you know has a dental emergency, don’t panic. These tips will tell you what to do in case of a dental emergency.

What are dental emergencies and how can I avoid them?

Dental emergencies can occur when your tooth breaks, cracks, becomes loosened, or is knocked out completely. Sometimes dental crowns come off of teeth. Lips, gums, or cheeks can be cut. Dental emergencies can be avoided by taking simple precautions, such as wearing a mouthguard during sports activities to prevent teeth from breaking or being knocked out, and avoiding hard foods that may crack or break your teeth—whether you have your natural teeth or you wear dentures. Oral injuries often are painful and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

1. Toothaches

Never put any pain killers, including aspirin, on the gum because it can burn the gum tissue. Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be caught there. If your tooth continues to hurt, you should call your dentist as soon as possible. A toothache can result from several dental problems. Regular dental check-ups and dental cleanings can help prevent toothaches.

2. Broken Tooth

If your tooth breaks, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist immediately. You should also clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling.

3. Possible Broken Jaw

If you think that your jaw might be broken, apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling. You will need to see your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

4. Knocked Out Tooth

If your tooth has been knocked out, rinse the tooth off very gently to make sure it is clean. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue that is attached to it. Be sure to place a towel or wash cloth in the sink so that it does not go down the drain. If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container or cup of milk. You will need to take the tooth with you and get to your dentist immediately.

5. Bitten Tongue or Lip

If you have bitten your tongue or lip, gently wipe the area clean with a cloth. Apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling. If the bleeding will not stop, you should go to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

6. Something Caught Between Your Teeth

Gently insert a piece of dental floss or a dental flosser. Be very careful not to cut the gum tissue. If you are unable to remove the object, contact your dentist. Never use a sharp object to try and remove something that is stuck in between your teeth.

7. Tooth is pushed out of position?

If your tooth is loosened and pushed out of position, call your dentist right away for an emergency appointment. In the meantime, attempt to reposition it to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure—but don’t force it!

 8. Chipped or fractured tooth?

There are different types of tooth fractures. Chipped teeth are minor fractures. Moderate fractures include damage to the enamel, tissue, and/or pulp. Severe fractures usually mean that a tooth has been traumatized to the point that it cannot be recovered.

If you fracture a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain. Your dentist can smooth out minor fractures with a sandpaper disc. Alternatively, restorative procedures may be needed to fix the tooth.

Never attempt to glue a natural tooth or part of a natural tooth back into place!

 9. Tissue of my mouth is injured?

Injuries inside the mouth include tears or cuts, puncture wounds, and lacerations to the cheek, lips, or tongue. The wound should be cleaned immediately with warm water, and the injured person should be taken directly to an oral surgeon for emergency care. If you can’t get to an oral surgeon, the patient should be taken to the hospital. Bleeding from a tongue laceration can be reduced by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound.

Can I somehow prepare for dental emergencies?

Yes, by packing an emergency dental care kit including:

  • Dentist’s phone numbers (home and office)
  • Saline solution
  • Handkerchief
  • Gauze
  • Small container with lid
  • Ibuprofen (NOT aspirin. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant, which may cause excessive bleeding in a dental emergency.)

Sources: Know Your Teeth & About Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy

Posted on: July 19th, 2011 by Nicholas Geller, DDS No Comments

What is root canal treatment?

The procedure involves removing inflamed or damaged tissue from inside a tooth and cleaning, filling and sealing the remaining space.

Why do I need it?

The pulp, or soft inner tissue of your tooth, is normally surrounded and protected by a layer of dentin.  Above the gumline, the dentin is protected by a layer of enamel; below the gumline, the dentin is covered by cementum.  When a deep cavity, decay or crack destroys these protective layers, the pulp is exposed to the bacteria in your mouth.  This can result in inflammation, infection and, eventually, necrosis (pulp death).  A severe blow to the tooth can also damage the pulp.  Irritants may then escape from the end of the root and cause a diseased area (apical lesion) in the bone.

Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp and irritants.  This allows the bone surrounding the root end to repair and heal.

Couldn’t I just have the tooth removed?

You could, but then adjoining teeth may shift and interfere with biting and chewing.  You can have a replacement tooth implanted or attached to adjacent healthy teeth, but this can be expensive and require even more dental treatment.  There is no real substitute for your own tooth, which is more efficient in chewing and biting than an artificial one would be.

How much does root canal treatment cost?

The cost of root canal treatment depends on the severity of your problem, as well as the tooth location and number and shape of canals.  Please ask for a cost estimate before treatment begins.

What happens during root canal treatment?

An examination, including radiographs(x-rays), will be performed.  A local anesthetic will be given, if necessary.  A sheet of latex, called a rubber dam, will be placed around the tooth to isolate it and keep it clean and dry during treatment.  Complete treatment consists of the following five basic steps:

 

Step 1.  An opening is made in the crown of the tooth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2.  The pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals.  Tiny instruments called files are used to clean the root canals and  shape them to a form that will ensure they will be well sealed. A temporary filling is placed in the opening to seal the opening and protect the tooth between visits.

Step 3.  The root canals are filled and sealed with a material that prevents bacteria from re-entering.  The opening in the crown of the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling.  Radiographs (x-rays) are made before, during and after treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4.  At future appointments, which may be in another department, the temporary filling will be replaced with a permanent filling and/or crown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5.  The root canal, permanent filling, and/or crown are evaluated for healing at periodic intervals called recall appointments.

 

 

 

 

Is this going to hurt?

With modern techniques and anesthetics people report that having a root canal treatment is about as unremarkable as having a cavity filled.  Should you experience any discomfort, signal your dentist or endodontist, who will do everything possible to make you comfortable.

How long will my tooth last?

Although the pulp is removed, your tooth remains alive, nourished by surrounding bond and gum tissues.  With a permanent restoration, regular brushing and flossing, proper diet and periodic dental checkups, your tooth has an excellent chance for success.

You will be contacted in the future to return for a recall appointment, when the tooth will be radiographed and examined to be sure healing has occurred.

After a Root Canal

Soreness

Most patients experience a little soreness after the appointment.  This may be due to the injection, the necessity of keeping the mouth open for a long time, or the treatment.  Your temporary filling will be hard enough to bite on within approximately a half-hour, but avoid biting or chewing on the treated tooth if it hurts.

Pain

Over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen usually relieve the discomfort.  Should pain last more than a few days, or if severe pain or swelling occur, call your dental office.  After hours you may call your dental office for the doctor on call.  Remember, if your tooth hurt before you came in for treatment, it may take a while to heal.

Permanent Filling

When your root canal treatment is complete, a temporary filling is placed.  The tooth needs to be permanently restored to prevent contamination or fracture.  You will need to return to your general dentist for a permanent restoration.  It is important to return promptly because the temporary filling can loosen and leak, possibly causing the root canal treatment to fail, which would necessitate re-treatment.

Source: University of Iowa: College of Dentistry

Dental Emergency Procedures That May Help Save Your Tooth

Posted on: June 29th, 2011 by Nicholas Geller, DDS No Comments

Now Care Dental, Your St. Paul & Minneapolis Emergency Dentist provides you with a few emergency dental procedures that might be used to help save your tooth. If you are experiencing a dental emergency please to not hesitate to give us a call 24/7/365 at 651-686-6800 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nicholas Geller immediately.

  • Handling a dental emergency can be tricky when you or a loved one is in pain, but a quick and appropriate reaction can help save a tooth in danger. The American Dental Association recommends that you become familiar with these dental emergency procedures just in case you ever have a dental emergency.
  • If a tooth is knocked out, hold the tooth by the crown and rinse the root in water if it’s dirty. Do NOT scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If you can, gently place the tooth back in its socket or store it in a cup of milk and head for the dentist (with the tooth) immediately.
  • If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean and apply cold compresses on your face to reduce swelling. Give Now Care Dental immediately.
  • Treat a bitten tongue or lip by cleaning gently with a cloth and applying cold compresses to reduce swelling. If bleeding is heavy or doesn’t stop after a short time, seek immediate treatment from your Minnesota Emergency Dentist, Dr. Nicholas Geller.
  • If a toothache is getting you down, rinse your mouth with warm water, gently floss to remove food that may be trapped around it and see your dentist as soon as possible. Do NOT apply aspirin to the tooth or gum tissues.
  • A jaw injury or possible fracture needs immediate attention at your dentist’s office or the emergency room. Apply cold compresses on the way to reduce swelling.
  • If a loose or broken wire from your braces is irritating your mouth, cover the wire end with a small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze until you can get to the dentist. Seek immediate treatment if a wire gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, but don’t try to pull it out yourself.

Dental Emergencies While Traveling

If you have a dental emergency while you are traveling, check the yellow pages under “dentist” for the number of the state or local dental society; the society will be able to refer you to a nearby dentist. Or, visit the local emergency room and ask for a dentist referral. If you are abroad, contact the U.S. Embassy or hotel personnel for a dentist referral.

Reviewed by: Columbia University College of Dental Medicine

Source: Colgate