EMERGENCY

Toothaches, cracked teeth, and other dental emergencies can come on without warning, causing serious discomfort.

If you experience an urgent dental concern, it is important to see an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Timely care will help you avoid more extensive damage to your teeth, and, of course, it will eliminate your pain as soon as possible.

Dr. Michael Young and our staff provide a full range of emergency treatments, from root canal therapy to fillings and crowns. They can also quickly repair damaged restorations, quickly reestablishing your dental function. We recognize that critical care of any kind can be nerve wracking. That is why we provide sedation dentistry to make your urgent care uneventful and anxiety-free.

What Causes Toothaches?

Mild tooth sensitivity is not typically considered an emergency. However, if you experience a moderate to severe toothache, you should receive prompt attention. It is especially important to seek immediate care if your toothache comes on suddenly or if it is accompanied by a fever, drainage, persistent bad taste in your mouth, or facial swelling.

Toothaches may come on for a variety of reasons, including:

A cavity
An abscess (infection inside the tooth)
A loose filling
A broken or loose dental restoration
A cracked tooth, often due to biting down on something hard

Timely Treatment for Toothaches

The appropriate treatment for you will depend on the cause of your toothache. Dr. Young will use our state-of-the-art digital x-rays to evaluate your tooth and look for internal damage.

Fillings: If a cavity is the cause of your discomfort, Dr. Young will typically recommend a filling. We offer composite resin fillings, which will match the color of your teeth and, unlike older metal fillings, will never become visible over time.
Root canal therapy: If you have widespread infection that has pervaded most of your dental structure and the roots of your tooth, you will likely require root canal therapy. Using conservative, gentle techniques, the dentist will remove all damaged tissue before placing a custom crown.
Tooth extraction: Though used as a last resort, extraction may be the best option if your tooth is too damaged to support a filling or crown. Fortunately, after removing the tooth, Dr. Young can provide a bridge or other prosthetic to renew your smile and dental functionality.

Urgent Repairs to Dental Restorations

Some dental emergencies may involve damage to existing fillings, crowns, and bridges. When they loosen, break, or come out, sensitive dental tissue is left exposed. Depending on the type of damage you have sustained, Dr. Young may be able to reattach your old restoration. In other cases, he may need to provide a new crown or bridge. He will thoroughly explain his treatment recommendation and make sure that you are comfortable before he proceeds with your care.

Book an Appointment for Urgent Care

If you are experiencing significant oral discomfort, don’t put up with it any longer than you have to! It is also important to seek prompt treatment to keep infection at bay. As an emergency dentist serving Lafayette, Dr. Young is proud to offer compassionate services, advanced treatment options, and effective sedation. Call us at 337-237-6453 to schedule your appointment.

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10957-toothache