A toothache can be one of the worst pains that a person can experience, especially if the problem is caused by severe decay and compounded by an infection. An Emergency dentist in North Attleboro MA can help, but the first step in the process will be eliminating the infection. This is necessary because an oral infection can quickly result in other health problems. For instance, the infection can transfer to the blood and affect the heart. The dentist will prescribe a course of antibiotics for seven to ten days so the infection is under control. This also reduces the chance of complications when repairing the tooth, which can be an extremely invasive procedure.
Fixing the tooth can involve several steps based upon what is actually wrong. The first is to remove any damaged dentin and surrounding enamel. This requires careful drilling because the emergency dentist in North Attleboro MA will need to keep as much of the shell intact as possible. If the procedure will require extensive drilling, then the dentist may recommend a root canal. Root canals are the removal of the tooth pulp. This includes the nerve and blood supply that originally kept that tooth healthy. Once the tooth is completely repaired, the dentist will cover the remaining shell with a porcelain crown. This whole process may require multiple office visits.
In the event that the tooth is not salvageable, the dentist will perform an extraction. However, removal of the tooth can cause other concerns such as shifting teeth or loosening of gum tissue around the surrounding teeth. Thankfully, there is a great solution for this known as dental implants. An implant is an artificial root that is anchored in the jawbone and covered with a crown. It fills in the void from the extracted tooth and reduces the chance of bone and gum loss.
There are other reasons a person may require an emergency dentist. Some common problems include chipped or broken teeth, the loss of a crown or a loose veneer. Fixing the crown may be as easy as cleaning the tooth and cementing the crown back in place. However, if the tooth has suffered further decay, then other measures will be required. Click here and discover more about dental treatments and emergency visits.
