Dental Emergency

Durango, CO

Do I need emergency dentistry? Call us if…

• Toothache – Did you brush, rinse and floss and it still hurts.

• Tooth Knocked Out

• Gum/Tongue/Cheek Injuries – If bleeding will not stop.

• Broken/Loose Braces – Call your orthodontist immediately.

• Chipped/Broken Teeth – If the chip is significant or your tooth is cracked or your tooth is in pieces.

• Lost Filling/Crown

• Tooth Loose

• Abscess

Emergency Dental Care

At Durango Dentistry, we provide emergency dental care that helps to restore a tooth that sustains damage from an accident or infection. If you live in Durango or the surrounding area, we encourage you to save our phone number. Since there is no way to tell if or when you may have a dental emergency, putting (970) 259-1646 in your contact list can save you a trip to the emergency room.

Why we provide emergency dental care

We provide emergency dental care to ensure that patients can get the help they need right away. If you leave a damaged or infected tooth alone, you will risk the infection spreading.

Why should I visit you for emergency dental care instead of going to the ER?

While the physicians at the emergency room are skilled at treating health emergencies, they are not familiar with dental care. They can triage any problem that you have by helping to stop the bleeding, but they will not be able to restore a damaged tooth. Likewise, if you visit an emergency room due to dental pain, they can provide you with pain relief but cannot find out what is causing the pain and work to solve it. This is why you need to visit the dentist instead. Remember that even if you go to the emergency room, you will still likely need to visit the dentist anyway. Visit us for emergency dental care instead to save yourself the extra pain, time and money.

What types of procedures does an emergency dentist perform?

At Durango Dentistry, our team provides the same type of services that you can receive during a traditional dental visit. The two most common issues that we address during emergency dental visits are:

Damage

It is actually fairly common for teeth to sustain damage in an accident. The damage can be due to a standard car accident, workplace injury, sports accident or other situation. While most adults do not think about cracking a tooth while playing a pickup game of basketball – it happens. These casual everyday events can lead to sudden tooth damage and if they do, you need to be sure to repair the damage as soon as possible. While providing emergency dental care, we can fix a cracked tooth, chipped tooth or even a tooth that is knocked out.

If you need an immediate dental restoration in the Durango area, visit our office. For fast results we can use dental bonding. This is a resin, tooth-colored material that can be placed on top of your tooth, shaped, and hardened using a special dental light. It can be completed in one sitting so that you can walk in with a chipped tooth and leave with a fully restored one. Other solutions like dental veneers and dental crowns are also available to correct damage but typically require two visits to do so.

We can also provide emergency dental care if your tooth has been knocked out due to an accident or has fallen out after becoming loose. If you can find the tooth, rinse it and put it in a cup of milk, then come to our Durango, CO dental office right away. There is a possibility that the tooth can be put back in your mouth. Otherwise, we can discuss replacement options that include dentures, a dental bridge, or a dental implant. All of these are possibilities that can appear completely natural so to learn more about them, call (970) 259-1646.

Toothaches

With emergency dental care, we see a lot of Colorado patients that are suffering from a major toothache. This is a top reason that people seek out care right away instead of waiting for Monday or for the dentist to open in the morning. When a toothache strikes it can be debilitating and we can provide relief. The good news is that it does not have to be. At Durango Dentistry, we have found that most toothaches do not happen without warning. Typically, there are signs that can include discomfort when biting down, sensitivity to heat or cold, irritation when brushing or flossing, etc. If you sense any of these things, we encourage you to call (970) 259-1646 and schedule an appointment for a dental exam. We can examine your teeth, look for any signs of infection or decay and treat the problem before you go from moderate discomfort to a raging toothache. Our friendly Durango staff can work with you to schedule an appointment that fits within your schedule so that you have no reason to delay in seeking treatment. However, if you do not come in right away and do develop a bad toothache, we want to see you.

One of the common reasons for a bad toothache is severe decay or an infection. To resolve this issue, we may need to perform a root canal. We can do this while providing you with emergency dental care. Since the discomfort is caused by the infection, removing it will help you to feel better right away. First, we will numb the area and provide you with anesthesia and then create a small hole in your tooth so that the infected portion of it can be removed. Once done, the area will be cleaned before it is sealed. We will do everything available to safely ensure that the procedure is comfortable. After we finish the procedure, you will begin to feel significantly better than when you first came in. Sometimes it is also necessary to restore the tooth with a dental filling or crown. If this is the case we can either complete that portion of the procedure immediately or schedule a second appointment to do so.

Reasons for Needing an Emergency Dental Visit

The American Dental Association reported that the number one cause of adult tooth damage every year is playing sports. This spans all types of athletics and creates the need for emergency appointments throughout Durango CO. Even a backyard game of basketball can lead to someone damaging a tooth or someone knocking a player's tooth out. The same holds true for kids playing sports as well. While there are ways to protect yourself like wearing a mouth guard, a dental emergency is still possible. When an emergency strikes call (970) 259-1646.

Car accidents are another leading cause of tooth injury. While the enamel on your teeth is strong, it may not be strong enough to prevent your tooth from breaking when colliding with the steering wheel. With millions of accidents a year, teeth are a common victim. We recommend that patients of Durango Dentistry get examined at a local emergency room after being in a car accident; just to make sure that they have not sustained any physical injuries. Afterward, call us for a dentist appointment. The emergency room does not treat tooth damage, so you will need to see both types of medical providers.

Emergency Dentist

Severe and sudden toothaches are another reason people in Colorado end up needing an emergency dentist. We can examine teeth and determine what is causing the pain. It may be a little cavity that grew into a big one and now requires a root canal. Another possibility is gum disease, which can cause the gums to recede, exposing the tooth and roots. Both can lead to intense pain and require emergency treatment. We do not want patients of Durango Dentistry to experience oral pain and will do our best to treat you right away so that you can remain comfortable.

If a tooth infection is left untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to a dental abscess. This is extremely painful. An abscess is a major tooth infection that can settle into your jawbone and the floor of your mouth. If it does, oral surgery may be necessary in order to remove the infection. We can let you know if we see an abscess during your dental exam with Dr. Greg Mann and Dr. Steven Reed.

99% of dental-related emergency room trips could have been handled by an emergency dental office for a fraction of the cost. - AHRQ, November 2012

How can I relieve dental pain while waiting for an emergency dental appointment?

We can help patients to stay comfortable and live a life that is pain-free. If you visit Durango Dentistry experiencing pain, we will identify what is creating the issue and the treatment options available for dealing with it. Often, we will also prescribe medication to help with the pain. This can prevent you from feeling discomfort while your tooth is being treated and at home. You may also want to apply a cold compress or ice pack to the area in order to reduce or prevent swelling.

Treatment Options

When a tooth has fallen out…
If your tooth has been knocked out, try to find it. Once located, rinse the tooth under warm water without scrubbing it. Next, place it in a cup of milk and bring it with you to your dental appointment. We will try to save the tooth, if possible. If not, we will discuss options for replacing the tooth. This may include dentures, a dental bridge or dental implants.

72% of Americans have some type of restorative dental work. 23% of all dental emergencies are related to the restorations.

When a tooth is broken…
It is common for people to damage a tooth while playing sports or getting into a car accident. It is likely that the tooth will become cracked or chipped. As long as the tooth structure remains in place, we can typically correct it with various dental treatment options. There are multiple ways that we can restore a patient's teeth. Some of which include dental veneers and a dental crown. Both are excellent options and can restore your tooth to full functionality while keeping it natural looking. As an emergency dental facility, we can provide you with information on what your options are and the best way to restore your tooth while achieving the goals that you have for your smile. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 259-1646.

When a tooth is infected…
As an emergency dentist, we will assess the situation and inform you of where the infection is and the best way to quickly treat it. Our job is to keep you comfortable, healthy and pain-free. Patients trust us to remove infections and keep their teeth and gums in excellent oral health. Whether fixing a general cavity or treating a dental abscess, we make it possible for a tooth to be free from infection and pain. We can resolve the issue in a way that keeps patients comfortable during any necessary procedures.

What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth

At Durango Dentistry we are regularly asked, "What should I do if I chip my tooth?" This is actually a fairly common problem. If you live in the Durango area, we encourage you to call (970) 259-1646 as soon as your tooth becomes chipped. As a general dentist, we can examine and treat you right away.

As an emergency dentist, the first thing we want to do is determine how serious the damage is. In order to do so, we will ask you several questions when you call to schedule an appointment.

Do you feel any pain?

After chipping a tooth, you may not be in pain or uncomfortable. It really depends on the extent of the chip, where your tooth was chipped, and which tooth was damaged. Some people, for example, lightly chip a tooth when eating something overly hard or crunchy. If it is small, the chip may go unnoticed until you brush and floss your teeth. If you are in pain, you need to call our dental office in Durango immediately. Pain is your body's way of alerting you to a problem, and by restoring your tooth, we can prevent further damage and infections.

Are you bleeding?

We encourage you to visit our dentist practice immediately if you notice that your tooth has become chipped and you are also bleeding. This could be an indication that you have suffered more dental damage than you are currently aware of. Rinse your mouth out with warm salt water, and if the bleeding persists, come on in.

Was it your tooth or your child’s?

As a family dentist serving the Durango area, we treat generations of families. We need to know the age of the person who suffered damage because this will directly influence our treatment recommendations. Children tend to be more sensitive to discomfort, so it is wise to have any damage restored on the same day as the accident.

Steps to Take After Chipping a Tooth

If you have ever wondered, "What should I do if I chip my tooth?" this information is good to keep in your back pocket. We always welcome your calls, questions, and visits to our dental office in Durango. This guide should be a reference point, but ultimately, you should still visit the dentist.

Step #1

Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater. This will help remove debris, any surface blood, and reduce the chance of developing an infection.

Step #2

Place a piece of gauze or a cool rag in your mouth and press on the area that is bleeding. Applying light pressure may also help ease any discomfort being caused by the tooth being chipped and the dentin being exposed. As a family dentist that serves residents of Durango and surrounding areas, we have found this to be particularly useful for helping our young patients take their mind off their discomfort.

Step #3

You can purchase dental cement at many drugstores and use it to temporarily cover the damaged tooth. As a cosmetic dentist, we prefer to simply treat your tooth and restore it immediately. However, if you are traveling, have a busy day at work, or simply cannot find the time to come in, this is a useful temporary solution. Just be sure to visit Durango Dentistry the next day.

Step #4

Call our cosmetic dental services office at (970) 259-1646 and schedule an appointment to be seen as soon as possible. We will do our best to work around your schedule so you can have your tooth restored immediately.

Ways We Restore Chipped Teeth

When looking for a "dentist near me" to treat a chipped tooth, be sure to visit a cosmetic dentist. We are an emergency dentist and a cosmetic dentist, which means we can treat you right away while also restoring your tooth in a manner that is natural-looking and beautiful.

Dental bonding.

We regularly use dental bonding to restore chipped teeth in children. This is the fastest way to do so because we can complete the process in one visit. As a cosmetic dentist, we apply tooth-colored bonding material to the damaged tooth, shape, and harden it for a natural-looking restoration. At Durango Dentistry we can also use dental bonding when treating adults. However, the bonding material is generally not as long-lasting as a veneer or dental crown.

Dental veneers.

Many of the adults who visit our general dentist office prefer to repair their teeth using dental veneers. A veneer can be used to restore a chipped tooth, cover dark stains, close gaps in between teeth, and more. This makes veneers an incredibly popular option among our patients.

Tooth-colored fillings.

At Durango Dentistry, we use tooth-colored fillings as a way to restore teeth that have had cavities. Once we remove the decayed area of the tooth, a filling is necessary to replace the missing enamel. Traditionally, this was done using silver amalgam but now we can complete dental restorations using materials that look natural so that when you smile, no one can tell that you had cavities.

Dental crowns and bridges.

If you have lost a tooth in addition to damaging one, we can use the solutions above to restore the damage and then work on replacing your missing tooth. We can do so using dental crowns and bridges or dental implants. Both solutions will restore the appearance and functionality of your smile.

Improve your smile.

When visiting us for a chipped tooth, let us know if you would also like to improve your smile. We can offer you a quick teeth whitening treatment that will brighten your smile and improve your self-confidence. When combined with dental restorations, this is an excellent way to enhance your appearance.

Can You Put a Tooth Back In Your Mouth?

If your tooth is knocked out, you will be in disbelief. Even a tooth that falls out on its own will likely cause you to panic. Your thoughts will undoubtedly turn to whether it is possible to put the tooth back in your mouth.

It is possible to put a Tooth Back in the Mouth

After the tooth falls out, the dentist might be able to put it back in your mouth. However, the unique circumstances of your accident determine if the dentist will be able to reposition the real tooth or if it will be necessary to place an artificial tooth in the vacant space. What matters most is you bring the tooth to the dentist as quickly as possible. The dentist will do his or her best to put the tooth back in the socket. Ideally, you will bring the tooth to the dentist within an hour of your injury.

What About a DIY Approach?

The tooth should be put back in the socket after the injury. However, many knocked-out teeth are the result of physical contact in youth sports. It is not advisable for a child to attempt to put a loose tooth back in his or her mouth. This re-positioning of the tooth should be performed by an adult as quickly as possible.

If the tooth looks clean, position it in the socket and obtain assistance from an emergency dentist right away. Hold the tooth along the area of the crown (the shiny white portion seen when you smile) as opposed to the root. Touching the root has the potential to backfire as it has sensitive cells necessary to connect to the tooth.

Once the tooth is back in place, bit softly on a napkin or handkerchief until the dentist is available. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it off with milk or cold water. Refrain from scrubbing it or applying any sort of disinfectant. Such actions have the potential to damage the delicate cells along the root that is necessary to connect the tooth with the gum.

Time is of the Essence

The cells along the tooth root are meant to connect quite tightly to the tooth socket if they do not perish. The cells along the tooth root will dry and die if you fail to put the tooth back in place in a timely manner. If the cells perish, the tooth will not reconnect.

The Dentist's Role in Reconnecting the Tooth

A tooth re-positioned in it socket will likely be connected to a neighboring tooth. This connection is only possible with the use of a splint. The splint holds it in position to facilitate the healing process. In some cases, a replaced tooth will appear slightly discolored and require additional work. This is a minor inconvenience compared to the problems that will arise if the tooth is not re-positioned or replaced in a timely manner.

Misconceptions about emergency surgery

While any form of emergency surgery can be an uncomfortable and negative topic for people, there are many misconceptions about surgery that people believe. When it comes to emergency endodontic surgery, the process is much less painful than people believe. In reality, the procedure itself will not be painful, since the endodontist will use anesthesia to numb the area and put the patient under, if necessary.

When it comes to treating an infected, chipped or cracked tooth, the patient will feel less pain following the procedure. The longer a patient avoids professional treatment, the worse the pain is going to get. Another misconception is that the only solution is to remove the tooth. The reality is that an endodontist will attempt every method possible to save a portion of the natural tooth.

No matter how much oral hygiene one performs at home, there is always the chance of an injury. When one damages a tooth, it is important to call a specialist who has the expertise to know the most effective course of action. An endodontist will be able to treat an injury from an emergency as soon as possible, so that the patient can eventually return to natural use of the tooth.

Seeking treatment from a general dentist will be a waste of time, since the general dentist will not be able to provide the necessary level of care the patient needs. In this situation, the dentist will refer the patient to someone else, prolonging the amount of time the patient spends in pain. Fortunately, an endodontist can repair the tooth and help eliminate the pain from the injury.