Dental Emergency Specialist
Dental emergencies can be frightening, and long waits in emergency room lines can be frustrating. That’s why Dr. Sharma and the staff of New Hope Dentist encourage Cedar Park, Texas, residents to visit their office if they experience a dental emergency and need immediate care. Dr. Sharma can handle several types of emergencies in her office, so you don’t have to worry about waiting in long lines at the ER.
Dental Emergency Q & A
Can a lost tooth be put back in place?
Once a tooth has been lost or knocked out, time is of the essence. Teeth are much easier to reinsert for a child, but the odds of a restoring a permanent tooth for an adult are still fairly good as long as the tooth hasn’t been damaged.
It’s important to remember to find the tooth immediately and to place it in a small cup of milk until you can receive medical attention. It’s also crucial to never touch the root of a tooth, only the crown. Re-inserting a tooth has a much higher success rate if the procedure can be performed within 30 minutes of the accident.
When is a dental emergency severe enough that you should go to the emergency room?
A broken or lost tooth and other dental emergencies can be treated at New Hope Dentist. If there’s structural damage to your jaw or mouth’s soft tissues, a trip to the emergency room may be in order. Another cause for concern is if a wound won’t stop bleeding, or if you can see the white layer of fascia in the opening.
If a wound gapes open, and it causes you difficulty when trying to speak or move your jaw, you need to seek emergency medical care immediately. Extensive structural damage or uncontrollable bleeding should be treated in a hospital setting, though. Most hospitals have a dental professional on hand that can assist with these types of injuries.
What should you do if you break a tooth?
If you crack or break a tooth, you’ll need to visit Dr. Sharma immediately. Collect the pieces of the tooth if you can find them and get to New Hope Dentist quickly. While most broken teeth don’t bleed profusely, you should still try to cover the exposed area with a piece of gauze to prevent bacteria or other germs from gaining access.
If your tooth broke off close to the gum line, Dr. Sharma may have to extract it and put a dental implant in its place. If only the crown portion of the tooth was damaged, she may be able to repair it be putting a crown or cap over the top.