No one ever plans on having a dental emergency, but these painful and frightening situations can creep up on anyone at any time. That is why we are always ready to leap into action to help our patients when they are most in need. As soon as your emergency begins, give us a call. We will make every effort to see you as soon as possible, likely even on the same day that you contact us for emergency dentistry in Needham, MA.
Even though a dental emergency may be frightening, it is important that you do not panic. When you call our dental office, describe the situation in as much detail as possible. We will advise you on what you should do next. We might suggest that you implement a few simple first-aid techniques before your appointment in order to mitigate your pain and minimize the damage to your oral health. Here are some basic guidelines to help you cope with various common dental emergencies:
If your pain is throbbing and intense, it is possible that you have an infection that requires root canal therapy. Over the counter pain medication might make you more comfortable until you get to our dental office for treatment. If the pain is duller in nature, try thoroughly flossing. You might have something lodged between your teeth.
Avoid chewing with the broken tooth. You might also place some sugar-free gum on top of it to prevent any jagged edges from irritating the soft tissues in your mouth. Collect any large pieces of broken dentition and bring them with you to your emergency appointment.
Touching the tooth only by the top portion, gently rinse off any debris. Then, attempt to put it back in its socket. If that is not possible, store it in a glass of milk or water and bring it with you to our dental office. If you receive treatment within an hour or two of losing the tooth, we may be able to splint it back into place.
You might be able to place a dislodged crown back on the tooth with the help of a bit of toothpaste or temporary dental cement. Avoid using the tooth to chew, and get to our dental office ASAP. We might be able to reattach the lost restoration, or we may recommend that it be replaced altogether.
Here are some simple tips to help you reduce your chances of suffering a dental emergency:
There is no set cost for treating a dental emergency because every situation is unique. If treatment is as simple as giving you a prescription, you will have to pay less than if you require root canal therapy or another major procedure. We will always be upfront with you about pricing and help you explore options for making your treatment affordable. We accept most forms of PPO dental insurance, and financing is available for most patients.