No matter how many precautions you take, a dental emergency can strike when you least expect it. Here at Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston, our oral surgeons, Dr. Weil and Dr. Koo, as well as a backup dentist, are on call at all times. If you have a facial or dental emergency in Houston during normal office hours, please call our oral surgery office. If you are a patient of record (you have been seen in our office previously) and you need assistance after business hours, you may call our number to have the answering service page the dentist. To learn more about navigating these urgent situations, continue reading or contact our team as soon as possible for assistance.
Why Choose Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston for Facial or Dental Emergencies?
Same-Day Emergency Appointments
Advanced Dental Techniques and Technologies
Multiple Financing Options Available
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Contact the office right away. The sooner you give the team a call, the better chance your oral surgeons have of restoring your oral health that very same day. Over the phone, a team member will walk you through basic first-aid instructions until you reach the office.
Have an emergency exam. When you get to the office, the oral surgery team or on-call dentist will examine your mouth to identify the cause of your emergency. Depending on your situation, they may also be able to relieve any serious pain you’re in.
Review your options. After your examination, the team will review our findings with you. After explaining your treatment options, they will work with you to create a custom treatment plan that’ll get your smile back to normal.
Get the care you need. Your Houston oral surgeons will work quickly to repair your smile and protect your teeth. Rest assured – they always focus on your health, safety, and comfort.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
From dental injuries to severe tooth infections, the team at Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston can address a wide variety of dental emergencies. When you call the oral surgery office, they will ask you to describe your symptoms as clearly as possible, then give you advice on performing first aid. Below, you can find tips that will help you deal with a variety of dental emergencies on your own while waiting for an emergency appointment.
If any of the following are true, you may need to seek urgent care for your toothache:
A tooth has suffered visible damage
There is a pimple-like bump on your gums
The pain is interfering with your ability to carry out your daily tasks
A tooth is darker than the ones around it.
How You Should Handle a Toothache
It is fine to take pain medication to alleviate your discomfort, but do not place aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums (you might accidentally cause chemical burns). Try to avoid chewing with the affected tooth. If there is swelling, a cold compress may help. If there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, do not attempt to pop it.
How We Treat Toothaches
A general dentist is able to address most toothaches. They may recommend a filling, root canal treatment, or another restorative treatment. However, you may need oral surgery services if a tooth is badly damaged and needs to be extracted. This is often the case with impacted wisdom teeth.
In most cases, a chipped tooth is not an urgent dental emergency. However, you should still seek treatment within a few days because the damage could easily worsen. The tooth’s jagged edges might also cause some discomfort for your sensitive soft tissues.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to minimize swelling. If the tooth’s sharp edges are bothering you, cover them with sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth
In most cases, a general dentist is the best person to address a chipped tooth. They may use bonding to repair the damage; the process is fast and provides aesthetically pleasing results. However, bonding usually lasts for just a few years. A veneer, on the other hand, has the potential to last for decades. Ask your dentist about all of your treatment options so you can make a well-informed decision.
Minor damage is not urgent, but large or deep cracks should receive treatment right away. Also, keep in mind that you might have a cracked tooth even if you do not see any damage; the crack might be beneath your gumline or between your teeth. If you are ever unsure of whether you need treatment, it is best to err on the side of caution.
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the tooth. A cold compress can minimize swelling. Do not do anything that might worsen the damage, such as eating hard foods or grinding your teeth.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth
A general dentist may recommend dental bonding to fill in a crack. In some cases, though, a crown is necessary in order to protect the tooth from further damage. If the damage is extreme, it might be necessary to remove the tooth altogether and replace it with a dental implant.
Sensitive teeth can be a symptom of numerous dental problems, some of which are non-urgent. Other issues, though, can require immediate attention. Any new or worsening sensitivity is a reason to give your general dentist a call.
How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth
Tell your dentist about the situation. Depending on the details of your case, they might urge you to come in for an emergency appointment, or they might give you at-home care tips to tide you over until it is more convenient for you to visit them. For example, they might tell you to avoid certain foods or use desensitizing toothpaste.
How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity
The best way to address dental sensitivity depends on what is causing it. Some patients require something as simple as a fluoride treatment or some prescription mouthwash. In other cases, more invasive treatment might be necessary. You could need root canal treatment, gum disease therapy, or a gum graft.
A knocked-out tooth, also called an avulsed tooth, is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. You should seek care within an hour or so of getting the tooth knocked out in order to increase the chances that it can be saved.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth
Touching the tooth only by its top part (the crown), pick it up and gently rinse off any debris. Then, be sure to keep it moist. You can try to place it back in its socket or tuck it between your cheek and gums. If neither of those things is possible, place it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit. Try not to use plain water because it could damage some of the tooth’s sensitive cells.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth
It might be possible to splint the tooth back into place. Over time, your body should gradually reintegrate it. If saving the tooth is not possible, your oral surgeon will tend the damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about your tooth replacement options. For example, you might be eligible for a dental implant.
A lost filling or dental crown is not a particularly urgent emergency, but it is a reason to see your general dentist as soon as your schedule allows. Letting the problem go unaddressed could lead to significant damage to your tooth. You may also end up with an agonizing toothache.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown
Try to find the lost restoration and place it in a small storage container so you can bring it with you to your dental appointment. You should be careful to avoid chewing with the tooth that lost its crown or filling. It would also be wise to avoid any foods that could cause sensitivity, such as hot, cold, and spicy items.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns
Your dentist may be able to re-cement the lost restoration into its former place. If that is not possible, you may need an entirely new restoration. There is also the chance that your tooth will need some further treatment before it can support another filling or crown.
You should not attempt to wear a broken denture, and not wearing a denture at all can be quite inconvenient. Therefore, you should seek professional care as soon as it is reasonable to do so.
How to Handle a Broken Denture
Do not try to repair the denture on your own; you might end up worsening the damage! Instead, properly store the denture and bring it with you to your dental appointment. Eat soft foods until your prosthetic teeth are functional again.
How We Treat Broken Dentures
Your general dentist may be able to repair your dentures. However, it is also possible that you will need a new prosthetic. If that is the case, consider using the opportunity to upgrade to implant dentures, which are much stronger and more convenient than their traditional counterparts.
A loose permanent tooth is in danger of falling out altogether, so you should certainly seek care as soon as possible. This is true even if you are not in any pain.
How You Should Handle a Loose Permanent Tooth
Avoid doing anything that could cause the tooth to become even looser. For example, you should not eat hard foods or wiggle the tooth with your fingers or tongue.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth
In some cases, it is possible to save a lost tooth with a bone graft or other advanced procedures. In other instances, it may be necessary to remove a loose tooth altogether. Later on, it might be possible to replace the tooth with a dental implant.
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?
Soft tissue injuries in the mouth can be frightening because they tend to bleed a lot. If you cannot get the situation under control fairly quickly, it would be wise to receive professional care.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
If you are experiencing severe bleeding or other life-threatening symptoms, go to the local emergency room. Do your best to control the bleeding with gauze and light pressure. A cold pack can minimize swelling.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
The team at Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston can clean the wound and place sutures if necessary to help it heal. They may also examine your mouth and face for other signs of damage. If the damage is extensive, your Houston oral surgeon can help restore the area to its former appearance.
Jaw pain can have numerous causes, some of which require urgent care. If the pain is severe or interfering with your daily life, you should receive professional medical attention ASAP.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain
If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, visit the local ER. Otherwise, take some painkillers, eat a soft diet, and apply an ice pack to minimize discomfort.
How We Treat Jaw Pain
Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston offers a number of different treatments that can help to relieve jaw pain, from TMJ treatment to complex surgeries. Based on a thorough evaluation, they can recommend a treatment plan to address your pain and its underlying causes.
Fractures in the face are treated very similarly to fractures that could occur in any other part of the human body. Our approach will depend on several important factors, including the severity of the fracture, the patient’s age and general health, and the specific location. Since casts cannot be placed on the face, we must utilize other ways to stabilize the bone and facilitate healing. This could involve small screws or wiring – whatever we determine will result in the smoothest recovery and a minimal impact to the patient’s appearance.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
No two dental emergencies are the same. Even two patients who both have cavities could have slight differences in their cases that call for different kinds of treatment. No matter what the issue is, however, seeing an oral surgeon as soon as possible is generally the best way to keep your out-of-pocket costs down. That way, they can begin the treatment before the situation becomes more complex and costly to treat. The team will also discuss dental insurance and financing options to make your care more affordable.
Generally speaking, an emergency dental exam is relatively affordable. During the appointment, your oral surgeon will evaluate the situation and recommend a treatment.
The cost of emergency dental treatment can vary greatly. It depends on the surgery necessary, the extent of the procedure, and the type/amount of sedation used. For example, removing one wisdom tooth with local anesthesia will cost significantly less than removing four impacted wisdom teeth with the aid of IV sedation.
You can trust the oral surgery team to always be upfront with you about pricing. They do not want you to run into any unpleasant surprises when the time comes to pay for your treatment.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Some emergency cases arise as the result of inevitable circumstances, such as a tragic accident. In other instances, though, emergencies could have been avoided if more precautions had been implemented. Here are a few basic things you can do to minimize your dental care costs:
Take great care of your smile. Regular visits to your general dentist, thorough oral hygiene, and a balanced diet can do much to preserve the health of your teeth.
Seek care as soon as you notice that something is amiss. Delaying treatment can allow your condition to worsen, leading to the need for more complex (and more expensive) treatment. Call your oral surgeon or your general dentist for guidance whenever you suspect that you require oral care.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance typically covers one emergency exam by a general dentist each year. However, because oral surgeons are specialty providers, your policy may work a little differently when you visit them. Also, keep in mind that while some of the emergency services they perform, like complex tooth extractions, are often partially covered by dental insurance, other treatments may not be. For example, surgery for bone injuries is more likely to be covered by medical insurance.
The oral surgeon’s team will help you navigate your benefits and understand how they apply to your unique situation.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
While your insurance may cover part of your care, it is unlikely to cover all of it. If you cannot pay your entire out-of-pocket obligation at once, ask your oral surgery office about third-party financing. They may be able to help you apply for a low-interest payment plan. Most patients who apply are approved for credit.
The Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston team is ready to answer your questions about the cost of emergency oral surgery. Contact the office today for help understanding the road ahead.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Your Houston oral surgery team is always ready to assist you if you face an emergency that requires the care of an oral surgeon. However, wouldn’t you agree that it is better to prevent such emergencies from occurring in the first place? Continue reading below to discover helpful tips that will protect your precious smile.
Your general dentist is one of your first lines of defense against dental emergencies. Try to visit them once every six months for a cleaning and checkup. The checkup will reveal whether you have any developing oral health issues that require treatment. The cleaning portion of your appointment will remove plaque and tartar that might otherwise lead to cavities.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Poor oral hygiene habits can allow decay and gum disease to devastate your oral health, leading to the need for tooth replacement, bone grafts, and other major procedures. To maintain a clean mouth, you should:
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste.
Floss daily. Use old-fashioned string floss and be sure not to snap it between your teeth.
Drink plenty of water. This can rinse away food particles and bacteria.
Watch What You Eat
Be sure to limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods, such as soda, candies, and desserts. You should also avoid hard foods that might break your teeth. Try to center your diet on items that are rich in nutrients that support oral health. Dairy products, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, can all help your smile to thrive.
Wear a Mouthguard
There are two types of mouthguards. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you should use one that places a protective barrier between your upper and lower dental arches. It can prevent your teeth from harming one another.
If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard that is designed for use on the field or court. It can greatly reduce the risk of severe injuries to your teeth and soft oral tissues.
Use Tools, Not Teeth, to Open Packaging
It can be tempting to use your teeth to open boxes, bottles, and other containers. Doing so is not wise. You could easily chip a tooth or cause significant premature wear and tear on your enamel. If you have dental implants, you could damage one of your restorations or place too much pressure on the underlying implant post. It is always best to use scissors or another appropriate tool to open packages.
Emergency Oral Surgery FAQs
Can the Emergency Room Remove a Tooth?
Only licensed dentists and dental specialists are legally authorized to perform tooth removal. Most hospitals do not have anyone on staff who is able to perform the procedure. At best, they may provide antibiotics and pain medication as they instruct you to visit a qualified oral health professional as soon as possible.
If you believe you need a tooth removed, it would be best to visit an oral surgeon or your general dentist. After a thorough exam, they might even determine that your tooth is salvageable and does not need to be removed at all.
What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?
Jaw pain can have a number of different causes, ranging from broken bones to TMJ dysfunction. Your oral surgery team can take images of your jaw structures, evaluate its function, and recommend your next steps. They are able to provide a number of different treatments for TMD, including surgical procedures to repair traumatic injuries.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Exactly where you should go depends on the specifics of your situation. If you are bleeding excessively from the mouth, have swelling that is interfering with your breathing, believe you have a broken jaw, or are experiencing any other life-threatening symptoms, the emergency room should be your first stop.
In other situations, your priority should be to see a dental professional as soon as possible. Most hospital emergency rooms are not equipped to handle issues like jaw pain, toothaches, complications after oral surgery, and other issues that are related directly to dental health. Give Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston a call to learn whether you should schedule a visit or make the trip to see your general dentist.
What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?
Having an emergency dentistry kit can help you to minimize your pain and protect your oral health while you are waiting to see a qualified oral health practitioner. Here are some items it would be wise to keep on hand:
A small storage container to hold teeth or lost restorations
Sterile gloves
Dressings and gauze pads
Cotton balls
A temporary filling material
Dental cement
Petroleum jelly
An oral analgesic
Painkillers
An ice pack
Contact information for your general dentist and our oral surgery office
