In case of an Emergency

Below is a guideline which can help you take appropriate action for many different types of emergencies. Please look at the list below and call us if you need additional help.

1. Pain Emergencies:

  a. Traumatic tooth fracture or segmental fracture:

  b. Abscessed tooth: 

       i.  Tooth may feel elevated due to inflammation
        ii.  May have fevers and chills
        iii. May have swelling around the tooth
        vi. Treatment: you must have a prescription for antibiotics called in to start
            overcoming the infection. You may or may not need to see the DDS
            immediately, but you must call the dentist.

  c. Broken tooth with fragment lodged in gums:

        i.   A portion of tooth breaks off and becomes lodged between the teeth. 
        ii.  This may cause pain when eating due to food putting pressure on the fragment
            that is lodged in the gums.
        iii. You may need to see the DDS on an emergency basis to remove the
            fragment.

  d. Myofacial pain or TMJ Pain 

       i. Symptoms include headache, facial pain, tooth pain, neck pain, TMJ pain.
       ii.  Symptoms are usually cyclical, meaning they have periods of 
           exacerbation and periods of remission.   
       iii. Symptoms may be related to personal stress, family stress, financial stress,
            loss of family member, job change, increased level of caffeine consumption.
       iv.  You may or may not need to see the DDS for this event.  Call the DDS on the
            phone and tell him of your symptoms. 

2. Non-Painful Emergencies:

   a. Broken tooth, cusp or filling:            

                i.  Usually a portion of a tooth or crown falls off and you become worried that the
           rest of the tooth may break off as well. 
        ii.   Seldom do these teeth hurt.
        iii. It may feel sharp to your tongue or cheek.
        iv. Seldom does the rest of the tooth fracture off.
        v.  You do not need to see the DDS immediately for this type of event. 
           You will likely need to see the DDS for a diagnosis & treatment on the next
           business day. Treatment will likely include either a crown or a filling.

    b.  Floss knotted up between teeth.

        i. Usually you will need to see the hygienist on the next business day for removal 
           of the floss.

3. Esthetic Emergencies: 

   a.  A visible tooth segment fractures off and is non-painful.

       i.    Find the tooth segment
       ii.  Call the DDS
       iii.  He may wish to see you depending on potential for discomfort or social events
           taking place in your life…wedding, stage event, sales meeting etc.

   b. Lost partial or denture

            i.  This is a difficult issue to solve on a weekend, and will likely require multiple
         appointments on regular work day

Thank you for reviewing this list and do let us know if we can help you. We’re here to make your dental experience better than ever.

Call us at: 608-836-5700