What is Emergency Endodontics?
Emergency endodontics treats unexpected dental issues, like a broken tooth caused by an accident or a cavity that leads to a tooth infection. Promptly treating the tooth reduces the risk of infection and helps preserve its health and structure.
Emergency endodontics consists of procedures used to treat a dental emergency. It’s best to seek help from an experienced endodontics office, instead of the emergency room, to ensure your damaged tooth receives prompt, effective care. After assessing the source of your pain, we’ll explore procedures that will address your tooth’s trauma.
Emergency endodontics may utilize root canal treatment if an exam shows that your tooth’s pulp is damaged or inflamed. The root canal removes your tooth’s pulp to alleviate your pain or infection and fills it with a temporary filling. Your tooth is then ready for permanent restorative options, like a filling or crown.
After a root canal, your tooth can become infected or inflamed months or years after the procedure. Root canal retreatment is used when an initial root canal fails due to changes in the tooth’s structure or bacteria that leads to new decay and inflammation.
If a conventional root canal has failed, we may suggest an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy removes the tooth’s root to eliminate pain and swelling. The procedure suggested will vary depending on whether the tooth is a permanent or baby tooth and the exact problem with the tooth.
What are common types of dental trauma?
A tooth cracks or fractures: A tooth that splits or chips needs treatment, especially if the damage exposes the pulp.
A tooth is knocked out or dislodged: When a tooth is dislodged or completely knocked out of the socket, prompt care is vital for reattaching the tooth to the socket.
There’s an injury to the gums: Gum injuries, especially those that bleed a lot, put the health of your teeth at risk and need emergency endodontic care.
You have a sudden toothache: A severe, sudden toothache is a sign that infection or inflammation has spread to the tooth.
How can Emergency Endodontics help your dental trauma?
Immediate care can make a difference in whether your tooth survives an accident or infection. Emergency endodontics helps dental trauma in these ways:
Prompt care reduces your discomfort
The pulp inside a tooth is full of sensitive nerves and tissues. When this pulp is exposed due to dental trauma or inflamed because of infection, you’ll likely experience significant pain and swelling. Emergency endodontics uses a suitable procedure to remove or treat the pulp to alleviate your discomfort.
Emergency care can save your tooth
When a tooth has severe decay or damage, emergency endodontics is an alternative to tooth extraction that can help you keep the tooth. It’s better for your dental health and your budget for you to keep your tooth.
Emergency endodontics can preserve your health
Untreated infection can spread to your other teeth and through your body, causing serious illness. Do you have a dental emergency? Don't wait. Call us as soon possible.
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