Will Emergency Dentist Extract Tooth?

Although it’s a trip no one wants to take, many people end up in the chair of an emergency dentist each year. The reasons are varied: cracked or broken teeth, abscesses, gum lacerations, tooth infections, even teeth that are knocked clean out of one’s mouth and need to be put back in place! While a visit to an emergency dentist should be reserved only for injuries or situations that are indeed an emergency, most procedures can be performed in these offices. From root canals to the extraction of teeth, emergency dentists can do it all.

When Must Teeth Be Extracted?

It may seem like an extreme measure, but teeth are extracted quite routinely for a variety of reasons. Breaks that cannot be repaired, damage to the root, infections that compromise the integrity of the tooth – these are just some of the reasons that a tooth might need to be extracted.

In an emergency dentistry situation, the dentist will first undergo a thorough examination of your teeth to determine what kind of damage they are dealing with and how extensive that damage it. This examination may require the assistance of X-rays or other forms of imaging to ascertain if there is any hidden damage lurking below the gumline.

If a broken or infected tooth can be mended or treated in any other way, the dentist will do so. In some cases, however, when breaks are severe or the risk of an infection progressing is too great, the dentist may choose instead to extract the tooth. While this can be a distressing prospect, it is important to remember that one’s overall health is far more valuable than a single tooth. There are also many excellent options today with which to replace a tooth, such as dental implants.

In some cases, such as the extraction of wisdom teeth due to impaction, there is no need to replace the teeth – these are not necessary for the normal functioning of the mouth and can be removed with no further impact to the patient.

Preparing to See an Emergency Dentist

If you have sustained an injury to a tooth that you think has resulted in damage requiring the care of an emergency dentist, you should first take action to stabilize any wounds. If there is bleeding, work to stop the bleeding by applying pressure to the area. Cleaning the area is also helpful. For wounds inside the mouth, rinse with water and then with mouthwash.

Take note of any visible damage to the tooth or teeth so that you can describe it when you call the emergency dentist. To get their number, call your local dentist’s office – even after hours, an answering machine message should convey necessary information about how to contact an emergency dentist.

The emergency dentist that you contact will be able to give you further information about any measures that you may take before reaching their office, such as taking over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or applying cold compresses to the area. If a tooth does need to be extracted, the good news is that soon you will be feeling some much needed relief!

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