Emergency Dentist in Dunn, NC

No one plans to have a dental emergency. However, when the unexpected happens, it’s essential to have a trusted emergency dentist that you can rely on. At J. Michael Williams, DDS, our primary goals in treating dental emergencies are alleviating severe pain and preventing potentially life-threatening complications. Prompt dental care is crucial for avoiding more serious health issues and preserving your oral health. Your well-being is our top priority, and we’re here to support you with expert care whenever you need us.

When To Call Your Emergency Dentist

Emergency Dentist in Dunn, NC | J. Michael Williams, DDS

Recognizing the signs of a dental emergency and knowing when to contact our office can make all the difference in preserving your oral health. Here are some situations that require immediate attention:

  • Severe tooth pain: If you experience intense, unrelenting tooth pain, it could indicate an infection or other serious issue that needs prompt evaluation and treatment.
  • Uncontrolled bleeding: Continuous bleeding, especially after an injury or dental procedure, indicates that you need urgent care to prevent further complications.
  • Extreme tooth sensitivity: If your tooth becomes very sensitive to hot or cold temperatures or from chewing pressure, it might be a sign of a more serious problem, like a fracture or a deep cavity.
  • Knocked-out tooth: If your tooth has been knocked out, it is important to act quickly. Seeking help immediately can increase the chances of saving the tooth.
  • Loose or partially dislodged tooth: A tooth that has become loose or has moved out of its normal position due to trauma needs immediate attention to prevent permanent damage.
  • Lost filling or crown: A lost filling or crown can expose the nerves of your tooth, causing pain and increasing the risk of infection.
  • Abscess on the gums: An abscess is a serious infection that can spread if not treated quickly, so be alert for signs such as pus or swelling on the gums.

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact our office right away. Timely intervention is key to managing dental emergencies and ensuring the best possible outcome for your oral health.

What an Emergency Dentist Can Do for You

Your Restorative Options

When decay impacts a significant portion of a tooth, we often recommend placing a dental crown. This treatment restores the tooth’s strength and functionality. First, we remove the decayed material. Then, we create a custom crown that fits over the remaining tooth structure.

Dental fillings are a suitable option for less severe decay. We remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill it with a durable material to restore its shape and function. We can typically set a new filling or replace a defunct one in a single visit. For minor damage, such as small chips or cracks, dental bonding is an effective solution. This treatment involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected area and hardening it with a special light. Dental bonding not only repairs the damage but also enhances the tooth’s appearance and functionality.

Your Tooth Replacement Options

When we cannot save a tooth, we may need to extract it to relieve pain and prevent further complications. Extraction becomes necessary when other treatments cannot address severe infections or when wisdom teeth cause significant pain and potential issues.

Should you require an extraction of a non-wisdom tooth, we offer a range of replacement options, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures, to restore your smile and oral function. Plus, with minimally invasive mini dental implants, we can often extract a tooth and replace it in a single visit.

Our diverse tooth replacement options ensure you leave our office with renewed confidence and better oral health.

Alternative Treatment Options

We may prescribe antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection due to severe tooth decay or a dental abscess. These antibiotics will help reduce pain and swelling, relieving the infection. If your symptoms indicate that you need a root canal, we will refer you to a specialist for evaluation and treatment. In the meantime, the antibiotics will ensure the infection is under control, making you more comfortable and preparing you for additional procedures.

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist? Know When To Seek Immediate Care

Not every dental issue requires an emergency visit. However, if you’re uncertain about the severity of your problem, please contact our office for guidance. Our team will assess your situation and let you know if you need immediate care. For example, issues such as a small cavity, minor tooth sensitivity, mild gum irritation, a chipped tooth, or a lost filling that isn’t causing pain might not need urgent attention but should still be evaluated in a timely manner.

While these conditions should be addressed by one of our dentists, they usually don’t require immediate attention. However, if any of these issues worsen, cause severe pain, or are accompanied by symptoms like fever or swelling, they may escalate to a dental emergency.

Do You Have a Dental Emergency? We’re Here for You!

At J. Michael Williams, DDS, we understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and unexpected. Our team is dedicated to providing prompt, compassionate care to you and your loved ones. We are always here to help and will try to get you in for treatment the same day if at all possible. We also have an on-call person available at night and on weekends to ensure you can be seen the next business day.

Call our office today for immediate assistance and to schedule an emergency appointment. We’re here to ensure you receive the best possible care when you need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Severe dental emergencies that warrant an ER visit include:

  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Severe infections with swelling that could affect your ability to breathe
  • Trauma involving facial bones
  • Serious cuts to the face or mouth

The ER can alleviate pain, prescribe antibiotics for infections, and control bleeding. However, they do not perform dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, or implants. After visiting the ER, you will likely need to follow up with our office for comprehensive dental care that treats the underlying issue.

If your tooth is broken or chipped, rinse your mouth with warm water, apply gauze to stop any bleeding, manage pain with over-the-counter pain relievers, and cover sharp edges with dental wax to avoid injury.

If your tooth is knocked out, rinse your mouth with warm water, try to reinsert the tooth into its socket, and bite on a gauze pad. Alternatively, store the tooth in whole milk or between your cheek and gum to keep it from drying out. Be sure to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible to improve the chances of saving your tooth.

While ERs can offer initial assistance for dental emergencies, they typically do not provide comprehensive dental treatment. They can help with pain management and prescribe antibiotics for infections. However, they typically don’t perform more complex dental procedures like pulling an infected tooth.

For most dental emergencies, it’s better to contact our office first.