There are a variety of circumstances and symptoms that may require a visit to the emergency dentist. Some of the most common examples are outlined below.
Tooth Damage During Sports Activities
Some of the most frequently seen dental emergencies occur during sporting activities, especially among children and adolescents. Particularly common in (but certainly not limited to) high-contact sports, oral injuries may include knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, a tooth fracture, chipped tooth, and broken or loose braces.
Auto Accident Tooth Injuries
Accidents involving automobiles can cause similar dental emergencies as with trauma during sporting activities. Adults with fixed prosthodontics devices may also experience broken, loose, or missing parts. For cases that involve broken jaw, head trauma, or severe bleeding, please go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Tooth or Gum Infections
Severe infections can also pose immediate risk, leading to dental abscess. A dental abscess is not only painful but can spread to cause fever and even blood poisoning in some very severe cases if left untreated for too long. An emergency dentist can help clear any infection with antibiotics, and possibly oral surgery in more severe cases.
Severe Toothache
There may be numerous different causes of toothache which, in many cases, may only be determined by a dentist. When the toothache is severe, this constitutes a dental emergency. It is important to see your emergency dentist right away to diagnose the underlying causes behind the pain in order to provide treatment and relief.
Range of Emergency Dental Services
The full range of emergency dental services is broad and may include tooth extractions, root canal procedure, denture repair, repair and reapplication of fixed prosthodontics (such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or veneers), broken or chipped tooth repair and restoration, and dental abscess treatment (including antibiotic prescriptions).
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No need to wait. Contact us right away at (303) 671-0305 during our office hours.
When to go see an emergency dentist vs. going to the emergency room
A dental emergency is almost always best treated by a dentist. A hospital emergency room is simply not equipped with the skills and resources necessary to provide many emergency dental procedures. That said, if you are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding, suspect head trauma or broken bones, have inhaled any foreign objects, or are also suffering from any non-dental emergencies, please go to the ER or call 911 immediately.
What are some common emergency dental needs?
No matter the cause, cases of emergency dentistry most commonly present with: – knocked out teeth; broken teeth; tooth fracture; chipped tooth; broken or loose braces; broken, loose, or lost prosthodontics pieces; toothache; and swollen gums. These may be treated with a variety of emergency dental procedures outlined in the “Range of Emergency Dental Services” section above and are best performed by your dentist.
If I'm not a patient with your clinic, can I see your emergency dentist?
We welcome all new patients, whether you are presenting with a dental emergency or scheduling a routine teeth cleaning procedure. Whether you are seeing another primary dentist who is unable to schedule you in on time, you do not have a primary dentist, or if you have an after-hours emergency, we will endeavor to provide treatment where logistically possible or assist you in finding a dental clinic that can.
What if a dental emergency occurs outside of office hours?
For dental emergencies that occur outside of our office hours, you may call us on our after-hours number at (720) 284-9810. Our dentist will then determine whether an after-hours appointment will be necessary for your case and provide treatment accordingly. If your appointment is scheduled for a later time, we will provide you with temporary care instructions to manage and minimize any pain or symptoms.
During our office hours contact us (303) 671-0305.
What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
A knocked out adult tooth has about a 1–2-hour window during which re-implantation of the original tooth may be plausible, so it is imperative to secure an appointment with an emergency dentist immediately. The first course of action to increase your chances of full restoration will be to gently rinse the tooth (NO scrubbing!), making sure not to touch the roots. If possible, very gently reposition the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place until your appointment. You may also store the tooth in a container of milk, salt water, or your own saliva.
What if a tooth gets chipped, broken, or fractured?
While all cases of a broken, fractured, or chipped tooth require treatment, they can become emergencies when they are severe and cause pain. Contact us for an emergency dental appointment immediately if you are experiencing any pain or sensitivity with your damaged tooth. It is always helpful to find and hold onto any chipped or broken pieces of your tooth that you can find and bring them in for your standard or emergency dental appointment. These original pieces may help your dentist when fabricating dental bonds or fillings for your dental restoration.
How about if it's my child’s tooth?
Under all circumstances, it is important to contact your emergency dentist immediately in the case of your child’s knocked out, chipped, fractured, or broken teeth. If the damage is caused to your child’s adult tooth, take the same course of action that is stated above for adult cases. If your child’s baby tooth is knocked out, DO NOT place the tooth back into the socket as with adult teeth. Replanting a child’s temporary tooth may cause damage to any permanent teeth that may be developing. Instead, just store the tooth as instructed above and take it to your child’s dental clinic.
What about severe toothache?
Severe toothache that is not eased by rinsing, flossing, and brushing probably indicates an underlying cause that requires emergency dental treatment. The causes can be many, with some that can lead to more serious problems that may extend to other parts of your body, so it is important to contact an emergency dentist right away. Your dentist should then determine the cause and devise an effective treatment plan. Temporary measures to ease pain and discomfort may include over-the-counter pain medication and/or cold compress to the face.
During our office hours contact us (303) 671-0305.
