Introduction
Dental emergencies are emergency procedures performed in cases of accidents or severe pain.
Many people think that going to the dentist once they have experienced severe dental pain is synonymous with extraction. There are even some people who seek dental extraction in order to quickly relieve the discomfort they feel.
However, treatment during dental emergencies is not always extraction. First, an assessment of the case is made in order to determine the course of action to be taken and, if possible, to save the tooth.
In this article, we'll explain what happens during an emergency dental appointment and what to expect.
What happens during a dental emergency
For any dental emergency, seek immediate attention and prevent the problem from progressing.
When to request an emergency appointment?
This type of appointment is generally reserved for situations requiring emergency assistance.
It is most often the result of the sudden onset of severe dental pain, which is capable of interfering with normal daily activities and forces the individual to take medication to relieve the pain.
However, emergency appointments can also be made in cases of accidents where dental fractures are involved or even when problems occur with a prosthesis, such as the dislodging of a temporary crown.
What does the dentist do at the appointment?
The first thing the professional does is to carry out an exhaustive analysis of the case in order to reach an accurate diagnosis. This is done by clinical and radiographic evaluation if necessary, starting treatment immediately after determining the diagnosis.
Tooth extraction is indicated in cases where the tooth is severely compromised and rehabilitation is not possible. However, in most cases, teeth can be saved with resin restorations or crowns and the treatment performed during the consultation will be focused on relieving pain while preparing the case for proper rehabilitation.
How is the pain relieved?
There are multiple ways to do this. However, the two most common are through a restoration or a procedure called a pulpectomy.
Often, in cases where the lesion is not very extensive, a simple restoration is sufficient to alleviate the pain. However, when the lesions permanently affect the dental nerve, it is necessary to remove it with a pulpectomy.
How is a pulpectomy performed?
First, a local anaesthetic is administered to allow the procedure to be carried out without discomfort.
The dentist then opens a small hole in the tooth until the pulp chamber where the nerve resides is reached using the handpiece. Once adequate access is achieved, the nerve is removed and the inside of the chamber is cleaned.
Finally, the dentist places a small sterile cotton ball soaked in a medicine that helps to heal and improve symptoms and closes the access hole to the pulp chamber with a temporary restorative material.
It is essential to understand that pulpectomy is an emergency procedure performed only for immediate pain relief. To rehabilitate the tooth after pulpectomy, a root canal treatment and subsequently a definitive restoration such as a crown is mandatory.
However, emergency appointments are the best solution for quick pain relief or dental problems that need to be addressed immediately to avoid complications.
However, they generally function as a brief quick fix to improve the patient's condition while definitive treatment is being carried out for proper rehabilitation.
If you have a problem that needs to be treated urgently, do not hesitate to contact us and we will restore you to the dental health you deserve.
