If you have a broken wire in your braces that’s poking and scraping against your cheek or tongue you should schedule emergency dental care. This can cause severe tissue damage if not treated promptly.
A 24-Hour Dentist is a dentist that works on a call basis for patients who require immediate care after normal business hours. 24/7 Local Dentist connects patients with these dentists directly using a trusted live operator.
Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental care is for those unforeseen issues that arise from time to time that can’t wait for your next scheduled appointment. These can include severe tooth pain, loss of a tooth, an uncontrollable bleeding of the gums or a broken dental appliance.
You should also visit an Emergency Dentist in Melvern KS if your jaw or face become swollen for no apparent reason. This could be due to an infection or irritant to the lymph nodes and should be treated immediately to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of complications.
Other situations that constitute a dental emergency include having an object stuck between your teeth that you can’t get out with dental floss, or an exposed root of a tooth from a crown that has cracked or fallen off. Seeing an Emergency Dentist in Melvern KS right away can help reduce the discomfort and prevent further damage to your oral health. It can also help save you money by preventing the need for more extensive treatment down the road.
Root Canals
Root canal treatment is a safe and effective way to save a tooth that is badly decayed or infected. Without root canal therapy, the infected tooth may eventually develop a dental abscess that is life-threatening.
A root canal starts with a thorough examination of the affected tooth and nearby gums using a mirror and a small probe. Then, a local anesthetic is administered to the area and a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” is put over the tooth to isolate it from saliva and debris while the root canal is being treated.
Once each canal is cleaned and shaped, it’s filled with a rubber-like material called gutta percha. After the root canal is complete, a filling or crown will be placed on the tooth to restore its shape and function. Root canals are almost always covered by dental insurance, but the rate of coverage varies by plan and most plans cap their yearly benefits once you meet your deductible.
Extractions
If a tooth is so badly damaged or infected that it cannot be saved, it may have to be extracted. The procedure is quick and relatively painless with local anesthesia. The dentist uses a hand tool to break and remove the tooth from its socket. They may also need to cut gum tissue and muscle for access. The missing tooth can be replaced with a bridge anchored by nearby teeth, an implant, or a denture.
After the extraction, you should call your dentist if you have fever, pus drainage around the area, severe pain that isn’t relieved with medication or swelling that persists for more than a few days. You should also avoid picking at or squeezing the site to prevent infection. It takes several weeks for the jawbone to heal completely after an extraction.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that exposes more of a tooth’s surface to improve the health and appearance of a smile. The procedure focuses on removing excess gum tissue, as well as some bone structure to give restorative dental appliances more surface area to attach.
The procedure is often performed for cosmetic reasons, and it can reduce a person’s risk of periodontal disease by eliminating the irritation caused by too much gum tissue. It also makes it easier to clean a person’s teeth and can make them more attractive when they smile.
During this procedure, the dentist will administer anesthetics to keep the patient from feeling pain during the treatment. The treated area might feel sore or swollen for a few days afterward, but it should heal rapidly with the help of over-the-counter pain relievers and an ice pack. Patients should avoid prodding or pulling at the site to speed up the healing process.
