Calgary Emergency Dentist

A toothache can be so severe that the pain radiates to other tooth structures. It may even render you unable to sleep or go about your day.

Treatment:

• The best way to solve a toothache is to identify what is causing it. For toothaches involving stuck food or debris, try to gently remove the offending material with floss or a toothbrush. If remains stuck, best to visit your dentist for removal.
• If severe tooth decay or infection is present, this requires treatment with dental fillings or root canal therapy to eliminate the pain.

Injury to the gums, tongue, lips, or inner cheek is usually accompanied by wounds or bleeding. You must control the bleeding by applying pressure on the area using gauze. You can also rinse with a warm salt water solution to disinfect the mouth. 

Treatment:

• Small soft tissue injuries usually resolve on their own. But for larger wounds or cuts, call us immediately for a comprehensive exam.
• Large lacerations may need to be stitched to help with proper healing. 

Damage to the tooth may range from very small chips to larger tooth fractures. If you can save any tooth parts, do so. When you arrive at our clinic, an X-ray will determine the extent of the damage. This will also identify the best way to treat and save your tooth.

Treatment:

• Minor cracks to the teeth are treated with dental fillings or tooth bonding. This involves composite resin that is layered on the tooth to reshape it.
• If the tooth has fractured above the tooth pulp, the cavity is lined with medication to prevent sensitivity and it is rebuilt with fillings.
• If the damage has involved the tooth pulp, root canal treatment is needed to allow the tooth to heal. Then, a dental crown or onlay filling is placed over the tooth to strengthen and protect it.
• For a tooth with considerable damage that no longer has enough tooth structures left for a restoration, your dentist may recommend getting it removed.

A tooth that has been completely removed, or a knocked-out tooth, can still be saved. 

Treatment:

• The general rule is that you must see your dentist within an hour after the injury. This increases the chances of saving your tooth. It will probably need splinting to keep it in place. But it should feel and function well after some weeks of treatment.

Accidental blows to the face after trauma may cause a jaw fracture and teeth damage. If bleeding is present, you can apply pressure to control it. Then, use a cold compress for facial swelling. But, these are serious situations that need urgent dental and medical care.

Treatment:

• Any problem with jaws needs comprehensive care to prevent the problem from getting worse. If there is a fracture, oral fixation is needed. You may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in this case.
• Also, splinting may be recommended for loose teeth. You may also be required to wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth as they recover.

If over-the-counter dental cement is available near you, you may use this as a temporary filling. But lost fillings need immediate replacement to prevent the cavity from enlarging. Waiting longer may also cause pain or tooth sensitivity

Treatment:

• At Sierra Dental, we replace a lost filling with a new one. We use high-quality composites that are durable and can last a long time with proper care and oral hygiene.

Broken metal braces and wires can scratch your gums. Until you can see your orthodontist, it is recommended you can cover these with an ortho wax. 

Treatment:

• The only treatment is to see your orthodontist for adjustment or replacement. It is recommended that this be done right away as postponing may intervene with your orthodontic treatment.

Caution should be taken to prevent damage to the fragile teeth that are underneath a broken dental bridge or veneers. Teeth may break without the protection of the veneer or bridge if they are used for biting or chewing.

Treatment:

• Broken veneers, dental bridges, or dentures need immediate replacement so you can look and feel good with a complete set of beautiful, natural-looking teeth.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please call our clinic immediately at 587-602-0503. One of our dentists will be able to see you as early as immediately during our business hours.

We certainly do and we have accommodated many emergency situations just like you!

Yes, our office will be able to assist with coordination with your insurance provider.

Dental emergencies can be very serious, even life-threatening. It’s important to be aware of what constitutes a dental emergency, especially if you have recently had dental work done, or have other health conditions that put you at risk. Here are some situations that would definitely require emergency dentistry:

• Knocked-out tooth
• Fractured or Cracked tooth
• Soft Tissue Injury
• Abscess or Infection

If one or more of your teeth has become completely dislodged, preservation should be your number one priority. You will want to keep the tooth as protected and intact as possible, and that means making sure it doesn’t dry out.

There are a few ways you can do this: place the missing tooth in milk or an ADA-approved, tooth preservation material (e.g. Save-A-Tooth), keep it in your mouth between your cheek and gums, or gently place it back in the socket, taking care to not disturb the exposed root.

Cracked teeth should be immediately cleaned with warm water, then covered with a cold compress (ice packs and wet washcloths work well) while you are en route to the clinic. Patients experiencing severe toothache are advised to brush and floss the affected tooth as best as they can.

When one of your teeth gets knocked out, whether it’s in the midst of a fight or you’re in a traumatic accident (vehicle or sports), there are methods of saving the tooth (or teeth). In fact, sometimes your actual tooth can be re-implanted (though not always). This implant has to happen within minutes if you hope to keep that tooth for the rest of your life.

Find the tooth, but don’t pick it up by the root. Rinse with water or milk to remove any dirt (but do not keep it in the liquid).

You can replace the tooth before getting to the dentist to keep it as healthy as possible before your dentist can work on it. However, never replace a child’s baby tooth.

A broken crown qualifies as a dental emergency, so the first thing you should do after noticing something is wrong is immediately call your dentist. Aside from potentially being painful, the risk of developing a bacterial infection goes up the longer you wait to have the crown repaired.