Emergency Dentistry – Lebanon, NH
Compassionate Care in Your Time of Need
A dental emergency can be both painful and frightening. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, do not panic. Rather, contact O&S Dental right away. We will give you tips on how to handle your dental problem, and we will make room in our schedule to tend to you as soon as possible. In many cases, we are able to see emergency patients on a same-day basis. Our goal is to relieve your pain and protect your long-term oral health.
Why Choose O&S Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- Early Morning Appointments Available
- Compassionate, Efficient Care
- Sedation Options for Your Comfort
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies fall into two broad categories: those that are the result of a longstanding dental problem that suddenly causes pain, and those that are the result of physical trauma. We are well-equipped to handle both types of situations. Before you come to our office, however, there may be some things you can do on your own to lessen your pain and keep the damage to your oral health to a minimum.
Toothache
Avoid chewing with the tooth to the extent possible, and take over the counter pain relievers as necessary. If something is lodged against the tooth, you may be able to remove it with floss. Depending on the nature of the damage to the tooth, you may require root canal therapy.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
A broken tooth is vulnerable to further damage, so you should be careful not to use it to bite on anything. You can use a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax to cover any sharp edges that might irritate the soft tissues in your mouth. Bring any pieces of the tooth that broke off with you to your emergency dental appointment.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick up the tooth by its top portion and gently rinse off any debris. Attempt to place it back in its socket. If that is not possible, store it in a glass of milk and bring it with you to our office. If you receive treatment within an hour or so of when the tooth gets knocked out, we might be able to splint it back into place.
Lost Filling/Crown
Try not to use the tooth that lost its restoration. If it was a crown that fell off, you might be able to temporarily reattach it with a dab of toothpaste. When you get to our office, we may be able to permanently reattach your restoration or provide you with an entirely new one.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, you can drastically reduce your chances of suffering one if you:
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day
- Visit our practice for a cleaning and checkup at least twice a year
- Wear a mouthguard when you play sports
- Avoid using your teeth as a tool to open packages or trim your fingernails
- Eat a balanced diet that is low in sugary and acidic foods and beverages
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
The cost of treating a dental emergency varies from case to case. Logically, patients who require a minor treatment, such as a filling or a prescription, will pay less than those who need a complex procedure, such as root canal therapy. We will give you a candid price estimate during your consultation. We will also help you explore payment options and assist you in filing your insurance claims. Most patients are eligible for low-interest financing.
Root Canal Therapy
When an infection reaches the innermost part of a tooth (its pulp), an extreme toothache can result. We address this issue via root canal therapy, a procedure wherein we clean out the infected tissue and fill in the tooth with a special material called gutta percha. Thereafter, we may protect the treated tooth with a custom crown. Contrary to what most people believe, root canal therapy is a relatively comfortable procedure.
Tooth Extractions
We make every effort to help our patients retain their natural teeth for a lifetime. Admittedly, however, that is not possible in all cases. Severe decay, trauma, gum disease, or other factors may make it necessary for us to extract one or more teeth. If you require a tooth extraction, rest assured that we will be as gentle as possible. According to your circumstances, we may also talk to you about your future options for tooth replacement.
Wisdom Tooth Extractions
The wisdom teeth are the third set of molars, which are located at the very back of the mouth. Because most people’s mouths do not have enough space for their wisdom teeth, a host of complications can result. For example, the wisdom teeth may push nearby teeth out of place. They are also at a heightened risk of infection and decay. We can address such problems via wisdom tooth extractions. Anesthesia and possible sedation make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
TMJ/TMD Therapy
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the rest of the skull, while TMD refers to a dysfunction of that joint. TMD can cause a range of symptoms, such as difficulty chewing, jaw pain, headaches, backaches, hearing problems, and more. If you believe you are suffering from TMD, we will carefully assess your teeth and jaw before we make an appropriate treatment recommendation. A custom oral appliance may be able to relieve your pain.