Reliable Emergency Dental Care
Dr. Pichardo understands that when emergencies happen, you need someone you can trust to handle your situation. We offer experienced care for dental emergencies to patients across Gainesville.
If you have severe pain, a cracked or broken tooth, or your tooth has been loosened or knocked out, contact our office now. We’ll do all we can to ensure you receive the help you need.
CALL US: 703-753-4901 CONTACT US
Our Emergency Services
We provide the following services to help in the case of an emergency:
What Counts as an Endodontic Emergency?
Most dental emergencies fall under the umbrella of endodontics. Teeth that are damaged, broken, knocked loose or in severe pain likely require some form of endodontic treatment to protect or secure the root and save the tooth.
These are some of the most common emergencies treated by an endodontist:
Toothache
Not all dental pain is an emergency, but when you have sharp or pulsing pain that makes it difficult to concentrate, this is a serious sign that shouldn’t be ignored. This is often a sign that your inner tooth is compromised, either by infection or by dental damage.
Without timely diagnosis and intervention, it’s possible the tooth could become unsalvageable and would need extracting. We can help you identify the source of your pain, and provide the treatment you need to find relief and save your tooth.
Cracked Teeth
A crack in a tooth poses a serious risk to the inner tooth, and if not addressed quickly, the entire tooth can be lost. We assess the tooth to see if the pulp is damaged and take appropriate action. Depending on the size and location of the crack, treatment can range from bonding and crowns to root canal therapy.
Dental Trauma
Dental accidents can occur at any time, leading to surprising and often alarming consequences. Teeth that are broken, loose, or even pushed deeper into their socket can all suffer lasting damage. The appropriate treatment varies depending on the type of damage, but in all cases, quick action is essential.
Knocked-Out Teeth
A tooth knocked out of its socket is one of the most common and most urgent dental emergencies. With swift action, it is possible to save the tooth, but the chances of recovery shrink as more time passes. If you have a tooth that has been knocked out (avulsed), remain calm and contact us as soon as possible.
Treating Your Dental Emergency
Our practice has the skills and technology to quickly diagnose and provide care for various dental emergencies. When you contact our office, we will try to see you as soon as possible to see that your emergency receives proper and timely care.
Here are some of the services you can expect for your dental emergency:
Root Canal Therapy
This service is one of the most common treatments for an emergency. When a cavity spreads to the inner tooth, bacteria can infect the soft tissue, nerves, and root canal. Without treatment, the tooth eventually dies. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body, including the heart and brain.
Root canal therapy involves removing the diseased tissue via an access point through the enamel, then cleansing and stabilizing the root canals to eliminate any remaining bacteria. The tooth root is then stabilized and the empty spaces filled in with a composite filling material. With treatment complete, your tooth can function normally and will no longer cause you pain.
Re-implanting a Tooth
Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, it can be possible to save a tooth after it has been knocked out of the socket. With special training, the endodontist can secure the tooth back into the optimal placement with the best chances of restoration.
Typically, a tooth must be replanted within an hour of being knocked out for it to be viable for reimplantation. The endodontist will cleanse the area and use a flexible splint to stabilize the tooth and promote reattachment. Sutures will be used to seal the gums if needed. An antibiotic will be prescribed, and a root canal treatment may be performed about 7-10 days later if the implantation was successful.
What to Do in an Emergency
What you do to care for an emergency before visiting our office can make a huge difference in how successful your treatment will be. Here are our best tips on how to handle these common emergencies.
Toothache Care
If you experience intense, throbbing pain in the tooth, contact our office for an emergency appointment. Over-the-counter pain medication can help to ease the pain until your visit, though aspirin is not recommended due to its blood-thinning qualities. You can also use an oral analgesic to numb pain at the site.
A cold compress can help to numb the area and reduce any swelling. Apply it to the outside of the face, not directly inside the mouth. Keep the compress in place for no more than twenty minutes per session for the greatest effect.
Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth
Stay calm. Make sure everyone is safe, then call our office as soon as you can to get an emergency appointment. Locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown. Don’t touch the tooth roots, as they are fragile. If the tooth has broken, collect whatever pieces you can find.
Wash the tooth briefly in milk or mild water. If possible, put the tooth back in the socket and bite down on a piece of gauze or a handkerchief. If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket, store it in milk until you reach the dental office.
Quick action is vital when dealing with a knocked-out tooth. The sooner you can get to a professional, the better the chances your tooth can be saved.
5 Things to Keep in an Emergency Dental Kit
You never know when a dental emergency will happen. Having a kit on hand can help you provide effective triage and minimize the long-lasting effects of the trauma.
Here are five things we strongly advise you to keep in an emergency kit:
- Oral Analgesic – This can provide quick pain relief in cases of a toothache.
- Cotton Balls, Swabs, and Gauze – All important for applying medication and caring for injuries.
- Cold Compress – Apply to the outer cheek to help ease pain and minimize swelling.
- Dental Mirror – This can help you get a better view of injuries or infection.
- Salt – Swish or gargle saltwater to cleanse mouth after injury and to help reduce toothache.
Expert Care When It’s Urgently Needed
Dr. Pichardo has years of experience helping patients with emergency situations. If you have an emergency and need help quickly, contact our office now.
CALL US: 703-753-4901 CONTACT US