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Carlsbad Emergency Dentistry

Treating a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can strike at any moment. And, when they do, you must be prepared to handle the situation without hesitation. During dental emergencies, you might not have the time to find a new dentist, so you must find the ideal dental clinic for emergency dentistry services ahead of time. Carlsbad Beach Dental, Drew Addy DDS, is a state-of-the-art emergency dental clinic that accepts last-minute appointments for dental emergencies in and around Carlsbad, California.

To learn more about emergency dentistry, please contact Carlsbad Beach Dental, Drew Addy DDS, at (760) 729-5881 or schedule an appointment online today.

Carlsbad Beach Dental - Drew Addy, DDS in Carlsbad

What is Emergency Dentistry?

Emergency dentistry refers to dental situations that need immediate attention within a few minutes or hours. True dental emergencies often worsen with every passing minute, requiring immediate and decisive action. If you don’t seek treatment immediately, the dental emergency may worsen considerably, leading to complications. Common dental emergencies include knocked-out teeth, signs of a dental abscess, excessive bleeding, etc. Failure to act in these situations may lead to severe infections or loss of teeth.

Emergency Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is one of the most common emergency dentistry services. Root canals are necessary when a dental cavity or infection is allowed to spread into the pulp chamber, the innermost part of the tooth, housing the pulp tissues and nerves. When the infection reaches the pulp chamber, you have no other option but to get root canal therapy. Failure to get a root canal might lead to further infection and the possible loss of a tooth.

When Do I Need an Emergency Root Canal?

It’s worth mentioning that all root canals aren’t automatically dental emergencies. You need an emergency root canal if you have severe dental decay, repeatedly traumatic dental work, or a severely cracked tooth. Signs you might need an emergency root canal include symptoms of infection, tooth discoloration, gum pains, increased sensitivity because of cold/hot beverages, throbbing sensations in your teeth, swollen cheeks, or toothaches accompanied with fever. In these situations, you must contact our emergency dentist immediately.

What Happens During an Emergency Root Canal?

During the root canal, the dentist will drill an access hole into the affected tooth to remove all the infected pulp tissues and nerves. Once the tooth is hollowed out, the dentist will apply a disinfectant and seal the hole with a compound called gutta-percha. In some cases, the dentist might schedule a separate session to seal the access hole. Once the hole is sealed, Dr. Addy will recommend a CEREC same-day ceramic crown to protect the weakened tooth. Timely root canal therapy saves the affected tooth and prevents the need for a tooth extraction.

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“I had an emergency as a new patient and Carlsbad Beach Dental was quick to respond!”

Emergency Tooth Extraction

You need tooth extractions for several reasons, such as a severe dental infection, an affected wisdom tooth, severely damaged teeth, etc. However, all of these situations don’t require emergency tooth extraction. Your dental problem might be considered an emergency if you have unstoppable bleeding, excessive and consistent toothaches, or infections. Signs you need tooth extractions include severe tooth sensitivity, gum pains, loose teeth, pus formation in the gums, and discoloration of the teeth.

When do I need an emergency tooth extraction?

You might need an emergency tooth extraction for several reasons, such as trauma to the teeth, a dental abscess, periodontal disease, or severe dental caries. Dental trauma can occur due to sports injuries or car accidents when your teeth are severely fractured or damaged. In these situations, you must contact Dr. Addy for emergency diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, the tooth would be salvageable, but in other cases, your tooth might need an extraction.

An emergency tooth extraction might also be necessary if you’ve allowed a dental decay or infection to spread too long. As mentioned previously, if your dental infection spreads into the pulp chamber, you might eventually need an emergency root canal. However, if you don’t act immediately or seek root canal therapy, the infection will spread beyond the pulp chamber and affect the tooth’s root structure. In that case, your tooth might be considered unsalvageable.

What happens during an emergency tooth extraction?

Tooth extraction involves removing the affected tooth. However, there are two methods to carry out the procedure — simple extractions and surgical extraction.

Simple Extraction: You need a simple extraction in situations when your entire tooth is visible above the gum line. The dentist moves the tooth from side-to-side until it’s loosened and then pulls it with a pair of forceps. You might feel gentle pressure, but not severe pain.
Surgical Extraction: You need a surgical extraction if the tooth is severely damaged or fractured. The dentist will have to cut into the surrounding gum tissues and bone tissues to dislodge the tooth. The procedure is conducted under local anesthesia, so you don’t feel any pain.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Loose teeth
Severe and persistent toothaches
Bleeding gums
Swollen jaws
Dental abscess
Pus around the gums
Persistent lesions
Constant headaches
Excessive tooth sensitivity
Toothaches accompanied by a fever

For more information about dental emergencies, please call us right away at (760) 729-5881.

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