Emergency Dentistry

Root Canal Therapy

Decay, cracks, and other dental damage can let bacteria into your soft tissue, causing an infection. Our caring team will perform root canal therapy to clean out any infected tissue inside your tooth and seal out the chance of further infection. It’s crucial that you seek treatment for an infection as soon as possible. Not doing so can result in developing an abscess, losing your tooth, and other damage.

Tooth knocked out

If a tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, it is essential to contact our emergency dentist immediately since tissues, nerves and blood vessels can become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again. Contact your dentist immediately.

1. DO NOT touch the root of the tooth. Pick it up carefully by the crown and rinse under warm water.
2. Place the tooth back in the socket if possible.
3. If you cannot place the tooth, put it into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
4. Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.

We will do what we can to replace the tooth in its natural socket, but if the root structure of the tooth is seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.

Extractions

If you have one or more teeth with decay, damage, or other cause that’s rendered them irreparable, we may extract them. Our office will only perform an extraction when it’s necessary to preserve your overall health. Removing a tooth can effectively protect your mouth from further dental issues and relieve you of pain or discomfort. During your appointment, we make sure you’re as comfortable as possible, and we’ll help you choose a replacement option.

Lost filling or crown

Once you’ve lost a filling the affected tooth may become highly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. When a crown comes out make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place so the Mount Prospect family dentist can try to reinsert it. If the dentist is not immediately available you can follow these temporary steps.

1. Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
2. Clean the crown and reattach with dental cement. This can be purchased at the local pharmacy. DO NOT use regular glue!
3. If you’ve lost a filling smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.

Cracked or broken teeth

Natural teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks. If the crack extends into the root, the pain may be extreme. If a tooth fractured or cracked, you must see the dentist as quickly as possible.