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What Happens During An Emergency Dental Appointment?

An emergency dentist is your go-to for urgent dental care when unexpected issues arise. These dental professionals understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time and offer longer hours to ensure that patients receive prompt attention when they need it most. In addition to regular appointments, emergency dentists accept walk-ins during their extended office hours to provide immediate treatment.

 

When the practice closes, a designated contact person remains on call to respond to patients who require emergency dental care outside of regular hours. Emergency dentists possess a diverse range of skills and can effectively treat various dental problems. If you find yourself in need of emergency dental care, here’s what you can expect from an emergency dentist.

 

What to expect during an emergency dental appointment?

Dealing with a dental emergency can be a stressful experience, but knowing what to expect during an emergency dental appointment can help ease your worries and prepare you for the visit. Here’s what you can expect during an emergency dental appointment:

1. Contact your dentist through an emergency number

If the emergency occurs outside office hours, call the emergency number or use the emergency contact form. The dentist will ask you about your dental problem and ask you to meet them in their practice.

2. Exam and diagnosis

During the exam, the dentist will take your medical history, do a visual exam and, where necessary, get some X-ray images of the problem tooth. The dentist will use the information they collect to form a diagnosis, which will inform the treatment. 

3. Preparation for the procedure

If the dentist recommends a procedure, they’ll explain what will happen during the procedure and what you can expect in terms of recovery time and follow-up care. They’ll also answer any questions you may have to help you feel comfortable and informed about the procedure.

4. Application of anaesthetic 

If it’s necessary to continue with the treatment immediately, your dentist will need to apply anaesthetic to numb the tooth and ensure you’ll feel no discomfort. If you’re experiencing severe pain, the dentist will likely provide pain relief immediately. This could involve administering local anaesthesia or prescribing painkillers to manage your discomfort.

5. Treatment

If you’re experiencing severe pain, the dentist will likely provide pain relief immediately. This could involve administering local anaesthesia or prescribing painkillers to manage your discomfort.

 

For example:

  • A dentist will replace a loose filling with a new filling or a different kind of restoration
  • If you have a loose tooth, the dentist will attach it
  • A dentist will treat pulpitis with a root canal

 

These are just a few of the many procedures that an emergency dentist can perform on short notice. The ones listed above just happen to be the most common.

6. Medication

Based on your medical history and the nature of your emergency, the dentist will prescribe suitable medicine. They will often prescribe and dispense painkillers to help with pain management after treatment. If you have a serious infection, the dentist may prescribe medicine to help fight the infection. 

7. Aftercare And Follow-Up

After the emergency dental appointment, the dentist may schedule follow-up appointments to check on your progress and ensure that the issue is fully resolved. They may also provide you with instructions on how to care for your teeth and gums at home to prevent further issues.

 

Remember, if you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can not only worsen the issue but also increase the risk of complications. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist or an emergency dental clinic if you’re experiencing a dental emergency.

 

Have the contact details of an emergency dentist close by

The only major difference that you can see during an emergency dental appointment is that the appointment is outside of office hours. An emergency dentist can be your saviour in times of need, making them a reliable and trustworthy friend during dental emergencies.

Life can throw unexpected situations at us, including severe toothaches or accidental blows to the mouth. To prepare for such emergencies, it’s wise to keep the contact information of an emergency dentist handy at all times.

 If you need urgent dental treatment, please don’t wait to call us on 020 7233 7660 or on 07711 200 694 if you require an out-of-hours emergency dentist appointment or email us at [email protected].

 

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