What is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry addresses unexpected dental problems requiring immediate attention to alleviate pain, stop bleeding, or prevent complications. These issues often arise without warning, leaving patients worried about how to proceed.
At Summit Family Dentistry, emergency appointments triage your condition, provide prompt relief, and create a care plan tailored to your needs. Whether it’s a broken tooth or a severe infection, our priority is to restore oral health efficiently and comfortably.
Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care
How do you know if it’s time to seek emergency dental care? Here are some key signs to look out for:
- Severe Tooth Pain: A persistent, intense toothache could indicate issues like infection, decay, or an abscess.
- Bleeding that Doesn’t Stop: Persistent bleeding in your gums or mouth may signal a more serious underlying issue.
- Swelling in the Face or Jaw: Swelling can indicate an infection requiring immediate intervention.
- Chipped or Broken Tooth: Cracked teeth can expose nerves or lead to further damage without quick treatment.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Time is critical for saving a knocked-out tooth, so seeking immediate care is essential.
- Lost Fillings or Crowns: Though not always an emergency, missing dental restorations can lead to sensitivity or additional damage.
- Signs of Infection: Fever, bad breath, or discharge in your mouth are red flags for dental infections.
Don’t wait to contact us if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Our team is ready to help with dental emergencies in Littleton.
Taking Care of Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies can be stressful, there are steps you can take to manage the situation before coming to our office:
- Stop Bleeding: Gently press a bleeding area with a clean gauze or cloth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop in 15 minutes, seek emergency care.
- Rinse and Protect the Area: Rinsing your mouth with warm water can help clean the affected area and reduce discomfort. If needed, apply a cold compress to minimize swelling.
- Preserve a Tooth (for knocked-out teeth): Place the tooth in a container with milk or a saline solution, and get to our office as soon as possible.
- Take Pain Relievers if Needed: Over-the-counter medication, like ibuprofen, can manage pain temporarily. Avoid aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
Timely treatment is key to preventing complications and ensuring the best outcome.
Treatments We Offer
At Summit Family Dentistry, we have the expertise to handle many dental emergencies in Littleton. Our cutting-edge technology allows us to offer same-day solutions, minimizing your stress and recovery time. Some emergency treatments we provide include:
- Tooth Repairs: For chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth, we can quickly restore both function and appearance with techniques like bonding or crowns.
- Root Canals: If your tooth is infected or severely decayed, we use advanced tools to perform root canal therapy efficiently and comfortably.
- Tooth Extractions: We ensure a smooth and pain-managed extraction process for teeth beyond repair.
- Restoration Repairs: Whether it’s a lost filling, broken crown, or damaged veneer, we provide same-day solutions when possible.
- Treatment for Oral Injuries: We offer prompt evaluations and care if you have a laceration or bruising in the soft tissues.
Our high-tech equipment—including digital imaging, CBCT scanners, and laser dentistry tools—ensures accuracy and comfort throughout your treatment. Paired with welcoming amenities like pillows, blankets, and noise-canceling headphones, we work hard to make you feel at ease during every process step.
Why Choose Summit Family Dentistry?
At Summit Family Dentistry, we don’t just treat dental emergencies—we elevate patient care. From our Membership Plan for affordable ongoing care to flexible financing options like CareCredit and Sunbit, we make dental treatment accessible and convenient.
We also believe in creating an environment where comfort meets high-quality care. With free Wi-Fi, headphones, TVs, and even hot beverages available during your visit, we ensure that your experience at our clinic is anything but ordinary.
Beyond our modern tools and cozy amenities, you’ll find a team genuinely caring about your well-being. Every staff member offers compassionate, patient-focused care to alleviate your pain and get you back to your best self.
Patient Reviews
Extremely friendly staff and knowledgeable dentist team! They were able to fit me in last minute for an emergency appt and I’m so glad to be a new patient! 🙂 …
Caroline
Had dental emergency on a Friday – called at 7:00am – appointment at 10:00 same day – excellent care – gave me options for treatment- completed same day too – no need for another visit.
Barbara