When you’re in pain, the last thing you want to worry about is logistics. Dealing with a dental emergency is enough of a hassle without having to think about how your dentist is going to want to handle the situation, or what they will expect from you.
Thankfully, any dentist worth their salt will do everything they can to make your emergency appointment as easy as possible. Here’s what you can expect from that visit.
Step 1: The Emergency Exam
The first step when you get to the dentist’s office will be to determine what it is that’s causing a problem with your smile. While you may be able to give your dentist some sense of what’s going on, it can often be tricky to determine precisely what’s going with your smile by feel alone; there may be hidden problems that you are not aware of. For that reason, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth in order to figure out for sure what it is that’s plaguing you.
Step 2: Treatment
Once it becomes clear what it is that you’re suffering from, the next step will be treatment. What this entails will obviously depend on what the issue you’re dealing with; gum disease may require specialized therapies, while a root canal may be necessary for patients who are dealing with severe infections within the tooth. Your dentist will let you know what your treatment plan will look like and what it will cost once your exam is complete.
Step 3: Follow-Up
Typically if you’ve visited the dentist for a serious oral health problem, they’ll schedule you a follow-up a few weeks later. This allows them to ensure that whatever treatment you’ve received has succeeded, and that the problem that brought you to them in the first place has been fully resolved. In some situations, like if you’re getting a dental crown, this follow-up may be when your final restoration is delivered.
Ultimately, your emergency appointment should be quick and painless. When you see a professional, you can expect to feel better in no time at all!
About the Author
Dr. Wael M. Kassem has been in dentistry for over 15 years, and there’s still nothing he loves more than being able to use his years of expertise to help people who are in pain. The detailed nature of his work keeps him continuously interested in his field and makes his work all the more rewarding. Dr. Kassem received his dental degree from Temple University and regularly attends courses with SPEAR education.
If you have any questions about a dental emergency, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (856) 818-9998.
