Dental emergencies can happen at any time. At Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we understand that tooth pain and dental injuries need quick attention. Our emergency dentistry services in Indianapolis, IN, provide fast relief when you need it most.
Emergency dentistry focuses on treating unexpected dental problems that cause severe pain, bleeding, or risk to your oral health. These situations need urgent dental care to prevent further damage and relieve your discomfort. Our caring team is ready to help during these stressful times with prompt and effective care.
Dental Emergencies and Treatments
We treat a wide range of dental emergencies as part of our general dental services. We can treat severe toothaches, knocked-out teeth, broken or cracked teeth, loose teeth in adults, dental abscesses, and lost fillings or crowns. Each of these conditions requires specific care to address the underlying issue and prevent further complications. Types of dental emergency and how to deal with them:
Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)
If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.
Here are some steps to take:
- Call our office.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
- If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
- If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
- Get to our office, quickly and safely.
We will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy might be necessary.
Lost filling or crown
Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.
If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that we can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.
When we are not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:
- Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
- Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
- If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
- DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
We will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.
Cracked or broken teeth
The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks, and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding, and biting. If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.
Where a segment of tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:
- Call our office.
- Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
- Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
- Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
- Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.
- Take a topical pain reliever.
The nature of the break or fracture will limit what we are able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth. In the case of a complete break, your dentist will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.
Dislodged/loose teeth
When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.
Call our office immediately to make an appointment. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required.
What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit
When you come in for a dental emergency, our team will act quickly to help you feel better. First, we’ll ask you about your symptoms and medical history so we can understand what’s going on and give you the right care. We may need to take X-rays to check for problems that we can’t see just by looking, such as broken roots or infections under the gum.
Our main goal is to stop your pain and fix the most urgent issue. We’ll explain everything we’ll do before we begin so you’ll know what to expect during the visit. Before you leave, we’ll give you clear instructions to help you heal and may schedule a follow-up visit to check your recovery or finish your treatment.
Benefits of Prompt Emergency Dental Care
Getting help right away for a dental emergency can stop a small problem from turning into a big one. If you wait too long, the issue could get worse and might need more serious and more expensive treatment.
One of the biggest benefits of emergency dental care is pain relief. Dental pain can make it hard to eat, sleep, or even think clearly. Dr. Hardin’s office can give you faster, better relief than trying to treat it at home.
Acting quickly can also help save a knocked-out, cracked, or badly damaged tooth. Most of all, seeing a dentist right away gives you peace of mind. You’ll know that your problem is being handled by experts that can help you feel calmer during a stressful situation.
Schedule an Emergency Appointment
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our Indianapolis office immediately at 317-830-0073. During regular hours, we make every effort to see emergency patients the same day. For after-hours emergencies, our answering service will connect you with the on-call dentist who can provide guidance until you can visit our office. At Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we provide compassionate emergency care when you need it most.