What is an endodontic emergency?
Have you ever experienced a sudden onset of excruciating tooth pain? If your answer to this question is a yes, you may be having an endodontic emergency.
Endodontics is a specialised branch of dentistry that deals with the diseases of the dental pulp and tissues surrounding the tooth’s roots.
An endodontic emergency can manifest as severe tooth pain, swelling of the gums or facial swelling caused by inflammation or infection of the dental pulp and periapical tissues (tissues surrounding the tooth’s roots).
Maximum dental emergencies comprise endodontic emergencies and require prompt and swift treatment. If you are experiencing unbearable tooth pain or notice facial swelling, call us, and we will schedule an emergency dental appointment for you at our dental clinic.
Types of endodontic emergencies
Endodontic dental emergencies are divided into three main types: pre-treatment emergencies, intra-appointment emergencies, and post-treatment emergencies.
Pre-treatment emergencies are when a patient comes to the dental office for the first time with tooth pain, swelling, abscess or fracture of the tooth. This requires immediate and prompt treatment.
Intra-appointment emergencies are dental emergencies that occur when dental treatment is underway. It can include sudden pain, which occurs when you are between treatment appointments, accidental exposure of pulp while removing infected tissue from deep dental cavities, etc.
Post-treatment emergencies can manifest as pain after undergoing endodontic treatment. It can be due to over instrumentation or faulty dental fillings.
What to expect from my emergency endodontic appointment?
Our dentist will carry through a complete oral examination to determine the offending tooth. If the infection is severe, they will place on antibiotics and painkillers for a few days before starting the procedure. They may also take some x-rays. Once the offending tooth is isolated, they will promptly begin the treatment.
They will carry out an emergency root canal treatment in cases of dental pulp infections, trauma, swelling or abscess. Dental drills are used to open the tooth. Once the tooth is opened, they will use specialised instruments to remove the infected pulp or drain the pus from the tooth in case of an abscess.
Next, they will put medication and give the tooth a temporary dressing. Your pain will go away drastically after this procedure, and you will experience relief.
You will be called for a second appointment to fill the tooth’s root with a root filling material. Our dentist may advise you to continue antibiotics and painkillers for a few days after the treatment depending on the extent of infection.
Post endodontic treatment
After root canal treatment, our dentist will place a permanent filling and seal the tooth. You might need a dental crown if your tooth was severely damaged. A dental crown is placed on a tooth post endodontic treatment to restore the tooth’s shape, size, strength and functionality.
If you think you may need an emergency endodontic appointment, contact us at our clinic, and we will schedule an urgent appointment for you. If you have any questions or would like to know about our emergency dental services, please reach out to us, and our team of exceptional dental professionals will be there for you.
