Will the Emergency Dentist Extract a Tooth?

A dental emergency is a wide array of issues involving both the teeth and the supporting tissues. There are many circumstances that may result in an emergent dental situation but only a few might result in an extraction of a tooth. Let’s look at the common causes for a dental emergency and the likely results.

What is Usually Considered a Dental Emergency

There are two major categories that emergency dental care can stem from. The first is an unfortunate accident and the second is the result of poor oral hygiene and neglect.

An Accident- Whether it is a child falling off a bicycle or a middle-aged adult playing pick-up basketball, accidents happen. We can’t even begin to list all the possibilities. Far too many to capture. A common accident of this nature can leave you with a chipped, fractured or broken tooth. The first element that makes this situation emergent is the level of pain and discomfort. If your dentist advises you to get to the emergency room the pain will be addressed first. Then an x-ray will show what is going on below the surface of the gumline. A dentist is now trained to save a tooth. Even if the tooth is totally broken off the preferred solution is to save the tooth with a root canal and then proceed with a crown. An extraction can indeed be a solution but not the first choice. An extraction results in a gap that must be filled. If not filled the neighboring teeth will begin to slowly shift into that gap changing your bite and speech pattern. You might end up with a bridge or a dental implant.

Poor Oral Hygiene- If you are guilty of neglecting your teeth there are consequences. The dental industry strongly suggests that we brush our teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. This is not just random advice. Not taking care of your teeth can result in a number of issues with a negative impact. The most common reason for an emergency dental visit is that of a toothache. This could be a cavity, an infection or an abscess. All of these will cause pain and discomfort, none of them require an extraction.

Can You Prevent a Dental Emergency?

The short answer is no. The long answer is you can minimize the risks you take. When it comes to either sports or any serious physical activity you can very easily obtain a mouthguard. This added protection can go a long way to protect your teeth. Also exercising proper oral hygiene can keep you out of emergent situations by not letting your oral health get out of hand. Seeing your dentist twice a year will also be a wise thing to do. The regular examinations can put you in a proactive role if something looks amiss. Why put yourself in the position of experiencing intense tooth sensitivity and the dental costs when it can all be prevented.

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