A Brief Overview of What to Expect During an Emergency Dental Appointment

Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them, and a sudden toothache, a broken crown, or an accidental slip and fall that damaged your tooth (or teeth) can leave you with quite a dilemma. However, your first move should always be contacting your emergency dentist for assistance! That said, what about once you arrive—what can you expect to happen? Here’s a brief look at what generally happens during these urgent visits.

Your First Steps Before Your Appointment

Once you’ve realized that your smile is injured and you’ve contacted your dentist, they will let you know when you need to come in. Many dental offices reserve time in their daily schedules for accommodating dental emergencies, and they will tell you if you need to visit them that day or if it can wait—though in many cases (like with lost or damaged teeth), you’ll want to go in promptly. They’ll also ask about your symptoms and provide tips over the phone for temporary relief until you arrive. If you’re dealing with any sort of oral swelling or bleeding, or unrelenting tooth pain, these also count as dental emergencies warranting care.

What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit

When you arrive, the team’s first priority is relieving your pain! You’ll be escorted to an exam room after you’re checked in, and a quick yet thorough evaluation will be performed. The goal here is to quickly and accurately diagnose the issue so immediate care can be used to address pain and prevent things from worsening.  

Once the problem has been identified, your dentist will quickly review the treatment options and get to work mending your smile after you’ve given the okay. Teeth that have been chipped or cracked can often be repaired, and teeth that have been displaced can be reinserted if you’re able to get to the office quickly enough. However, if the cause of your tooth pain is a serious infection, something like root canal therapy or emergency tooth extraction may be suggested—it all depends on what’s going on with your smile. Before you leave, your dentist will also provide you with any necessary aftercare instructions and help you schedule follow-ups as needed.

Not every dental appointment looks exactly the same, but one thing remains certain—when you have a dental emergency, prompt treatment is always the right move!

About the Practice

Our team here at Downtown Houston Dental has proudly served the dental needs of those in Houston and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide variety of services, including same-day emergency care. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (713) 229-8100.