Emergency Dentistry
Dental problems rarely happen at a convenient time. Whether you have a toothache, a broken tooth, swelling, or a crown that has come off, our team at Renaissance Family Dentistry is here to help you understand what is happening and determine the right next step.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please call our office at (919) 544-7777. We prioritize patients who are in pain or dealing with an urgent dental problem and in most cases will see you the same day or the following day, as our schedule permits.
At your emergency visit, Dr. Bowers will examine the area, take any necessary X-rays, explain what he finds, and discuss your treatment options with you. When treatment is appropriate in our office, we will help get you comfortable and address the problem. If your situation is better treated by a specialist, we will help coordinate the appropriate referral.
When Should I Call an Emergency Dentist?
If something feels wrong, you do not need to determine whether it officially qualifies as a “dental emergency” before calling us. Our team can help you decide how quickly you should be seen.
Common reasons patients contact us for an urgent dental visit include:
- A new or worsening toothache
- A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
- A crown or filling that has come loose or fallen out
- Swelling of the gums, face, or jaw
- Pain or swelling around a tooth
- A tooth that has been loosened or knocked out
- Dental trauma or an injury to the mouth
- A dental problem that is making it difficult to eat, sleep, or function normally
Tooth Pain
A toothache can have many causes, from a cavity or cracked tooth to inflammation or infection inside the tooth. The type of pain you are experiencing—and what triggers it—can give us useful clues, but an examination and X-ray are often needed to determine what is actually happening.
Our first priority is to identify the source of your pain. Dr. Bowers will explain what he finds and review your treatment options with you. Depending on the diagnosis, we may be able to treat the problem in our office or help coordinate care with the appropriate specialist.
Broken Teeth, Fillings, and Crowns
A broken tooth or lost restoration does not always hurt, but it is still worth having evaluated promptly. The remaining tooth may be weakened or exposed, and addressing the problem early can sometimes prevent a more complicated situation.
If a crown has come out, bring it with you if you still have it. We will evaluate the tooth and determine whether the existing restoration can be reused or whether another treatment is more appropriate.
Swelling and Dental Infections
Swelling around a tooth, the gums, or the face can be a sign of a dental infection and should be evaluated promptly. Other symptoms may include significant tooth pain, tenderness when biting, a bad taste in the mouth, or a bump on the gums near a tooth.
Treatment depends on the source and severity of the infection. Antibiotics may sometimes be appropriate, but they do not eliminate the underlying dental problem by themselves. We will determine the source of the infection and discuss the treatment needed to address it.
Dental Trauma and Knocked-Out Teeth
If you or your child injures a tooth, contact our office as soon as possible. Even when a tooth appears intact, an examination may be necessary to check for fractures, movement, or injury beneath the surface.
If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, handle it by the crown rather than the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket. If you cannot, keep it moist in milk and contact us immediately. The sooner a knocked-out permanent tooth is treated, the better the chance of saving it.
Do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
Most dental emergencies are best evaluated by a dentist. However, some situations require immediate medical attention. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly increasing facial or neck swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant trauma to the face or jaw.
If you are unsure whether your situation requires urgent dental care, please call us. Our team can help you determine the appropriate next step.
Need an Emergency Dentist in Durham?
If you have a toothache, broken tooth, swelling, dental injury, or another urgent concern, call Renaissance Family Dentistry at (919) 544-7777. We welcome both existing and new patients for emergency visits, and in most cases we can see you the same day or the following day.
Our goal is simple: determine what is causing the problem, help you understand your options, and get you on the path toward feeling better.
