Dental Emergencies

Types of Dental Emergencies

• Dental Abscess

  • The dental abscess is a dental emergency and should be treated immediately.

  • Dental abscess is the formation of pus in your gums or at the base of a tooth. It can result from a deep, advanced cavity, failed root canal therapy, periodontal disease, or trauma. You may experience swelling, pain near the infected area, bad breath, and/or a bubble on the gums or at the base of the tooth

  • Without proper care, the pain can intensify, eventually becoming unbearable. Moreover, the infection could spread to other parts of the body, leading to systemic issues, such as facial swelling.

• Infection

  • Dental infection can stem from various issues like deep cavities, periodontal disease, and more. A proper diagnosis is the essential starting point to provide you with the right and necessary treatments and to prevent future issues.

  • Untreated infections can lead to spreading to other parts, bone loss, mobility or loss of teeth if severe. Therefore, earlier detection and proper treatment are crucial.

• Dental Trauma

  • Dental trauma involving as a lost tooth is a dental emergency. We highly recommend

    • Pick up the tooth by the crown (chewing portion of the tooth), NOT root. Locate the tooth immediately.

    • If dirty, gently rinse the tooth with water. Do not use soap, chemicals, or hot water. Do not scrub or dry the tooth. Do not wrap the tooth in a tissue or a cloth.

    • Reposition the tooth in the socket immediately, if possible. Try to put the tooth back into its socket right away. Gently push it in with your fingers, by handling the crown, or position it above the socket and close your mouth slowly. Hold the tooth in place with your fingers or by gently biting down on it.

    • Keep the tooth moist at all times. The tooth must stay moist at all times, either in your mouth or, if it can’t be replaced in the socket, put it in milk, in your mouth next to your cheek, or in an emergency tooth preservation kit (such as Save-a-Tooth®). Don’t use regular tap water; root surface cells can’t tolerate that for extended periods of time.

    • See a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury. Bring the tooth with you to your emergency appointment ideally. It's best to see the doctor within 30 minutes; however, it is possible to save a tooth even if it has been outside the mouth for an hour or more.

  • Dental trauma or injury involving broken tooth is a dental emergency. Give our office a call as soon as possible, and we'll make every effort to accommodate you in today's appointments.

• Damaged Crowns/Bridges/Veneers/Onlays

  • For damaged crowns, bridges, or any other restorations, if the tooth underwent root canal therapy, it lacks nerves and will not cause you any pain. Therefore, it is not considered a dental emergency. We will schedule your appointment at the earliest convenience

  • However, if the tooth did not undergo root canal treatment, exposure to liquids, foods, or the air is more likely to cause sensitivity or pain. In such cases, immediate care is necessary.

• Broken Tooth

  • A broken tooth can result from cavities, biting hard foods, or injuring your mouth. If you experience pain and/or swelling, it is considered a dental emergency.

  • If you have a broken cusp of a molar without pain, it is not a dental emergency. We will schedule your appointment at the earliest convenience.

What to Expect

Appointment Length: 30 minutes or longer

Our first step involves taking X-rays to get a thorough understanding of your dental concerns. Following that, Dr. Lim will carefully examine the condition and provide you with a detailed explanation of the necessary steps to get you back to feeling comfortable.