Maidu Dental

Emergency Dental Care

A serious dental problem can strike without warning. You could develop a severe toothache that disrupts your activities or even your sleep. An accident or sudden blow to the face could also damage your teeth and cause immense discomfort. Fortunately, Dr. Luminita Markham and her team offer emergency dentistry to assist you when you need it most. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you should contact Maidu Dental immediately. We will get you in for a visit as quickly as possible. In most cases, we offer same-day appointments. In the meantime, we can help you minimize your discomfort with proper at-home care. Do not live with dental pain any longer than you have to. As a family dental practice, we can offer the compassionate, urgent care that you need.

Types of Dental Emergencies

At Maidu Dental, we treat many different urgent dental concerns. Common dental emergencies include:

  • Broken teeth
  • Knocked out teeth
  • Items lodged between teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Gum lacerations
  • Toothaches

Things You Can Do in the Event of an Emergency

If you experience any of the problems listed above, there are certain protocols that you should follow. When you contact us for your appointment, we will advise you about the best ways to care for your tooth and ease your discomfort.

  • Knocked-Out Tooth: If your tooth is knocked out, call our office immediately to let us know you are on your way to the office. If possible, locate the tooth and gently rinse it off, avoiding the root. If feasible, place the tooth back in its socket. If you cannot do this, keep the tooth hydrated by holding it in your mouth or placing it in a container of saline or milk. In some cases, Dr. Markham may be able to place the tooth back in its original position.
  • Broken Tooth: If you can locate the fractured piece of tooth, pick it up and store it in milk, saline, or saliva. Bring the piece with you to your appointment. Dr. Markham can sometimes bond a broken piece back onto your tooth.
  • Object Stuck Between the Teeth: If there is a foreign object stuck between the teeth, you can attempt to remove it by gently flossing the area and rinsing out your mouth. Never use a sharp object, as this can cause damage to your teeth and gums.
  • Tissue Trauma: If you have a cut on your gums, you should replace any loose flaps of skin. You can hold the flap in place and staunch bleeding by biting down on a piece of gauze. If you are bleeding profusely, or if the cut is extremely large, call 911.
  • Toothache: If you have a toothache, you can often minimize discomfort with an ice pack and over-the-counter medication. Even if these prove effective, you should still seek emergency treatment before the pain grows stronger.

Emergency Dental Treatment Options

Treatment Options for Cavities

After diagnosing a cavity, Dr. Markham will typically treat it with a dental filling. The restoration will strengthen your tooth and seal it so that bacteria cannot get back inside. Fillings come in several different materials, such as gold, amalgam, and tooth-colored composite resin.

If your cavity spans a large part of your tooth, a filling will not be enough to restore functionality. In these cases, Dr. Markham will usually place a crown, inlay, or only. These restorations can also be good options if you have a cracked or weakened tooth. We use innovative CAD/CAM technology to provide crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single visit.

Root Canal Therapy: A Common Treatment for Severe Toothaches

Many times, a severe toothache is the result of a dental infection. If the inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected, bacteria will travel down the nerves into your root canals. This can cause moderate to severe pain, gum abscesses, bad breath, and several other symptoms.

Because of our CAD/CAM technology, Dr. Luminita Markham can often perform single-visit root canal therapy and crown. The treatment will also involve minimal discomfort, thanks to our gentle techniques and our Comfort ControlTM Syringe (our computerized anesthesia delivery system).

Contact Our Office

To learn more about emergency dental care, reach out to a team member. Contact us online anytime or call our office at (530) 823-8771.