Even if you practice strict oral hygiene every day, you can’t always predict when a dental emergency will occur. Since this may not be common for you, it can often feel overwhelming and stressful when dealing with one of these situations. Even so, you’ll want to call your dentist so that they can walk you through the next best steps based on your symptoms. In most cases, they’ll pencil you in for an emergency dental visit so you can get treated right away. Here’s what you can anticipate during your appointment.
Schedule a Same-Day Appointment
Once you’ve notified your dental team about your urgent case, they’ll ask about the details of your condition so that they understand the severity of your situation. If they’ve determined that you require immediate treatment, you might end up scheduled for a same-day appointment. However, if you and your smile can wait without risking any further complications, then they may book you for a later time. In the meantime, they’ll ask you to follow basic first-aid instructions to manage your situation until you can see them.
Undergo an Emergency Oral Exam
After arriving at your appointment, your dentist will take you in for an emergency examination. Unlike a regular dental checkup, which looks over your overall oral health for issues, this oral assessment will prioritize identifying the root cause of your problem. This should include a visual evaluation and X-rays, if necessary. They’ll also provide certain services to try to alleviate any discomfort you may be feeling. Once your dentist has detected the issue, they’ll begin developing a specific treatment plan to address it.
Receive the Essential Treatment You Need
Your dental team will begin working on restoring your oral health right away once they’ve walked you through the details of your appointment. Many urgent situations can easily be treated with procedures such as tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, and tooth extractions. However, if you require more extensive treatments, like root canal therapy or gum disease therapy, then we’ll likely need to schedule a follow-up visit.
Now that you know what to expect during an emergency dental visit, you won’t have to feel overwhelmed by the situation. You can be confident that your dentist will do everything they can to alleviate your discomfort while preserving your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Niki Jayswal studied at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and regularly seeks continuing education to expand her expertise and skills. She’s also a proud member of several prestigious organizations like the American Dental Association and the Dallas County Dental Society. She offers a long list of high-quality services, including gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, and tooth extractions. If you need to schedule a same-day appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call our office at 972-366-4452.