Identifying Emergencies
Whether you have an object caught between your teeth, or a sudden toothache, our specially trained staff at Smile Big Dental Specialists are here to assist you at a moment’s notice.
We make it a priority to book patients who are dealing with dental emergencies as soon as possible, and provide immediate, specialized treatment to the most critical cases.
In order to help protect your oral health, it is important to know what constitutes a dental emergency, how to recognize the severity of each type, and what safe and proactive measures can be taken before arriving at your dentist’s office or the emergency room.
In many situations, same-day visits are necessary, especially for patients who are in severe pain or at risk of losing a permanent tooth. Below you will find a list of circumstances that typically require immediate attention, or at least require skillful care from trained dental professionals.
- Knocked Out or Partially Knocked Out Tooth
- Toothache
- Damaged Teeth (i.e., chipped or cracked tooth)
- Abscess
- Infection
Minor injuries may include:
- Object Caught Between Teeth
- Broken Brackets or Other Damaged Pieces of Orthodontic Appliances
- Cut, Bitten, or Otherwise Minorly Injured Soft Tissue (Tongue, lips, and cheeks)
When any of the above occur, it is important to reach out to a dentist who is experienced in addressing dental trauma, and can do so in a timely manner, to restore your dental health as quickly as possible.
Serious Injuries
Cracked teeth, chipped teeth, or otherwise broken teeth can become quite painful, and possibly affect the root of a tooth, which may in turn lead to permanent damage and the need for an extraction procedure.
Knocking out a tooth, also known as a dental avulsion, requires immediate attention in order to save the natural tooth. Without emergency treatment, the patient may not be able to keep their tooth, and may later require a dental implant or other tooth replacement procedure.
A tooth abscess is another dental issue that will require an emergency appointment. A dental or gingival (gum-related) abscess is often extremely painful, and can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. One of the first signs of a developing abscess is a painful tooth or sore gums. You may also notice a bump forming on your gum tissue. When these signs appear, it is important to reach out to your dentist as soon as possible.
Emergency Tooth Extraction in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
Dental emergencies are not to be taken lightly. Issues like chipped teeth and painful cavities can lead to further dental problems if they are not addressed, and compromise the health of other teeth. In cases where a minor dental issue has evolved into something more serious, or a patient suffers severe dental trauma, oral surgery may be necessary.
When and if this occurs, patients need access to a reliable, experienced oral surgeon. At Smile Big Dental Specialists, we prioritize patients coming in for emergency dental services, and this includes those who will require oral surgery. With our extensive experience and state of the art technology, our patients can rest assured they will receive superior results.
Minor Injuries
While some dental injuries do not technically require urgent care, issues like objects caught in braces or between teeth, or damaged soft tissue (i.e. a cut on your gum line), still need to be addressed. However, there are usually safe methods of caring for minor injuries at home that can be applied until you are able to make it into the dentist’s office.
For instance, if you or a family member breaks a bracket on their metal braces, this is not an issue that needs to be addressed immediately. If the broken appliance is irritating another area of the mouth, a cotton ball can be used to protect the vulnerable area until the patient can make it into the office for a dental appointment.
Whenever you are faced with an unexpected dental emergency, it is important to reach out to a dental professional to determine the appropriate next steps, regardless of whether or not the situation seems urgent.
Visit Our Emergency Dentist’s Office in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
If you or a loved one has suffered a dental injury, developed a sudden toothache, or another type of dental emergency has occurred, contact us at Smile Big Dental Specialists! When faced with these types of situations, we are your source for immediate care and professional dental advice. Schedule an appointment when you call us today at (630) 473-9213.
