Prompt and Compassionate Emergency Dentistry
Common Dental Emergencies
- Knocked out or dislodged tooth
- Sudden or chronic severe toothache
- Infected or abscessed tooth
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Chipped tooth
- Dry socket
Select Emergency Dentistry Treatment
Knocked Out (Avulsed) Tooth
Traumatic dental injuries involving either direct or indirect impact can result in a knocked out tooth. A knocked out tooth that has been partially or completely dislodged requires immediate attention. It’s important to handle the tooth gently, rinse it quickly in cold water and avoid touching the root surface. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, placing it in milk at room temperature can preserve cell viability for up to six hours. The chance of successful replantation depends to a large degree on the length of time the tooth has been out of the socket and how it was stored. If the tooth is replaced in the socket by Dr. Holmes and Dr. Oakes within the proper timeframe and held secure with a splint, it’s possible to save it.
Dislodged (Luxated) Tooth
When a tooth is luxated, that means it’s dislocated or dislodged from its normal position. During an injury, the tooth can get pushed forward, backward or sideways, partially out of or into the socket. Treatment for a dislodged tooth in Nashville, TN involves Dr. Holmes and Dr. Oakes repositioning and stabilizing it. Splinting is only recommended for teeth that are still mobile after repositioning. Dislodged permanent teeth usually require root canal treatment.
Severe Toothache
When a toothache strikes, this can be debilitating, but being aware of warning signs and seeking prompt treatment can help prevent pain from worsening. Typically, warning signs include discomfort when biting down, sensitivity to heat or cold and irritation when brushing or flossing. A toothache accompanied by swelling or fever often indicates a dental infection, which requires quick attention. If pain is caused by a fractured tooth, sometimes this can’t be repaired and the tooth needs to be extracted.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess is a buildup of infected material (pus) in the center of a tooth caused by a bacterial infection. Small openings in tooth enamel caused by decay or trauma allow bacteria to enter and infect dental pulp. An infection due to an injury, cavity or previous dental work can cause an abscess to form at the base of the tooth root. At Vitality Dental, we have extensive experience treating dental abscesses with emergency root canal treatment.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
Symptoms of a cracked tooth include pain when chewing or biting; sensitivity to heat, cold or sugary drinks and food; intermittent pain and swollen gums around the affected tooth. If you experience these symptoms and think you have a cracked tooth, it’s important to seek treatment quickly before the problem gets worse. Dr. Holmes and Dr. Oakes can treat cracks that extend into the pulp with a root canal, but cracks that extend below the gum line require extraction.
Chipped Tooth
Composite bonding is an effective and fast option to repair chips in molars. Dr. Holmes and Dr Oakes places the tooth-colored resin on top of your chipped tooth, shapes it and then uses a special dental light to harden it. Porcelain veneers are the preferred method for fixing chips in front teeth. We provide a temporary resin veneer that you’ll wear until your final veneer comes back from the dental lab.
Expect Exceptional Dental Care Gentle and Affordable Emergency Dental Care
If you experience a dental emergency in Nashville, TN , we offer same- or next-day appointments. We’ll accurately diagnose the underlying cause of the problem, relieve your discomfort and always try to save your tooth and fully restore its function. We offer several types of sedation to alleviate dental anxiety and ensure your ultimate comfort. We accept insurance and offer third-party financing to help you pay for unexpected emergencies, because you shouldn’t have to worry about affording unplanned dental care.
