Emergency Dentist – Rochester, NY 

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? It depends on the type of toothache in Rochester as to whether it is a dental emergency. If something is lodged between your teeth and can be removed with dental floss, you don’t need to come in to see us. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, go ahead and call us to schedule an emergency dental visit:

• Pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
• Fatigue, swelling, or fever
• Tooth sensitivity that lasts longer than 30 seconds
• A small bump forms on your gums near the infected tooth
• Darker-colored tooth
• Pain when attempting to bite down

How you should handle a toothache: Rinse with warm water to loosen anything between your teeth. Use dental floss or a water irrigator to push out anything that might be lodged. If you discover this is not the issue, continue rinsing with warm saltwater to cleanse the area and eliminate bad bacteria. A pain medication can also help to reduce discomfort.

How we treat toothaches: At Vollo Dental Group, we will examine the cause of your toothache to identify the underlying issue. After creating a personalized treatment plan, we will likely recommend one of the following services: antibiotics, tooth-colored filling, periodontal therapy, dental crowns, or tooth extraction. It may also be necessary for you to undergo a root canal.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? A chipped tooth typically doesn’t require emergency dentistry unless you’re in immense pain. You can typically wait 1-2 days before seeing our dental team. However, if you want to play it safe and schedule an appointment, we’ll happily work to schedule your visit as soon as possible.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If possible, try to retrieve the chipped pieces of tooth and bring them with you to your appointment. Rinse with warm saltwater before applying dental wax or sugarless gum to hide any jagged edges. You’ll also need to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you get in to see us.

How we treat chipped teeth: When meeting with your emergency dentist in Rochester, we will examine the chipped tooth and determine if it can be easily treated by re-bonding the broken pieces to the existing tooth using directing bonding. If this is not possible, we can discuss the idea of having a customized veneer made to cover the imperfection and give you a beautiful, longer-lasting smile.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Suffering a cracked tooth often requires emergency dentistry. Even if pain is not a prominent symptom, or you cannot see the crack, it may exist beneath the gum line. Avoiding immediate treatment puts you at risk for infection or further damage and ultimately, costlier and more extensive treatments.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse with warm saltwater to cleanse your mouth of any remaining debris. Also, don’t chew on that side of your mouth, and be extremely mindful when brushing and flossing. You’ll also want to cover jagged areas of your tooth with sugarless gum or dental wax. If you are in pain, feel free to take a pain reliever and use a cold compress to reduce any swelling and discomfort.

How we treat cracked teeth: When treating a cracked tooth in Rochester, we’ll need to identify where the crack is located and determine the severity of the problem. If only minor, we may be able to use direct bonding, which is a tooth-colored composite resin. If the crack, however, is severe, we’ll need to look at your other options, which include a customized dental crown or tooth extraction.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? If your sensitive teeth are the result of worn tooth enamel or excessive teeth whitening, it may not be considered an “urgent” matter. However, if you have a cracked tooth, serious cavity, gum recession, or an abscess, you’ll need to get in to see us as soon as possible, especially if you experience severe pain.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: Our dental team will quickly work to get you in for an appointment but will also provide helpful tips you can use to manage your pain while at home. You might try drinking only lukewarm water and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce any discomfort. It is also advised that you avoid sweet, spicy, or acidic foods and beverages to avoid irritating your teeth and nerves.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: The type of treatment your emergency dentist in Rochester recommends will be dependent upon the reason for your sensitivity. Worn tooth enamel might require fluoride treatments, desensitizing toothpaste, or prescription mouthwash. A serious cavity, cracked tooth, gum disease, or abscess might require anything from a tooth-colored filling or periodontal therapy to tooth extraction.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, you do not want to delay when dealing with a lost tooth in Rochester. This is a time-sensitive issue that requires immediate dental care, so make sure to call our office so we can expect your arrival.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Retrieve the tooth, if possible, and rinse off any debris holding it only by the crown. If possible, try to reinsert it into the vacated socket. If you’re unsuccessful, place the tooth in a container of milk or saliva to keep it moist and viable. Bring it with you to your appointment.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: When arriving at Vollo Dental Group, we will examine the tooth to determine if it is still usable. If so, we will reattach it using a splint and allow it to reintegrate with the bone and tissues. If it takes too long to reach our office and the tooth is no longer viable, we’ll need to discuss replacement options, which may include a denture, dental implant, or dental bridge.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Dental restorations are not meant to last a lifetime. When you have an old dental crown or filling, it is possible that it might accidentally fall out. Should this happen to you, don’t panic but also don’t wait to call us. Although it’s not urgent, we still need to see you and replace the restoration, so you don’t develop an infection or additional damage.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: You can purchase dental cement to try and reinsert your filling or lost dental crown in Rochester, but if you’re not comfortable with this idea, simply leave it out and bring it to your appointment. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and be careful while brushing and flossing near the unprotected tooth.

How we treat a lost filling or crown: Our Vollo Dental Group team members will look to see if the restoration is still fully intact. If so, we may be able to recement it into place. If not, we’ll need to have another tooth-colored filling or metal-free dental crown created to replace your damaged one.

Broken Dentures

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?: A broken denture is a bigger emergency than it might seem at first. Trying to wear damaged dentures could injure your gums and soft tissues, and it could cause problems with your jaws or remaining teeth. You need to call our office immediately if you want to continue enjoying the benefits of a full set of teeth without oral injury.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Do not attempt to fix the denture on your own, even with a denture repair kit; it could ultimately cause further damage. You also shouldn’t wear your denture while it’s broken. Your best option is to call our office immediately so that the repairs can be completed as soon as possible.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: Minor damage, such as a single broken tooth, can often be repaired with a bit of composite resin. We can also adjust your dentures so that they fit correctly. Severe damage, such as being broken in half, usually means your dentures have to be replaced entirely.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?: Permanent teeth should never come loose; if they do, it’s likely a result of gum disease, physical injury, or another serious dental problem. Just like with teeth that are knocked out entirely, you need to act immediately if you want to save a loose tooth.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Call our office as soon as you realize you have a loose tooth. To prevent it from coming out altogether, avoid touching it, and do not eat anything hard or sticky. You also should not brush or floss the tooth until it has been treated.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: There are steps that can be taken to try and save a loose tooth so that it reattaches to the jaw. If it has already passed the point of no return, however, we can extract it before replacing it with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?: If there’s an injury on your gums, lips, or tongue that’s bleeding, you need to act quickly to make sure it doesn’t turn into a bigger problem. You can call our office and describe your symptoms so that we can help you determine how serious the situation is.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Locate the cut and rinse the area with water to remove any debris that’s around it. Locate a clean washcloth or some medical gauze and hold it to the wound until there’s no more bleeding. Once that’s done, a cold compress can be used to reduce swelling or discomfort.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: If an injury is very severe and causes bleeding that doesn’t stop even after applying pressure, then you should go to the nearest emergency room. Our office can treat some small cuts by stitching them shut.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?: Jaw pain is something that you might have to deal with on a daily basis until the root cause has been treated. We recommend calling our office if the pain is chronic or is particularly severe with no signs of getting better.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: When you call our office regarding jaw pain, we’ll advise you based on the symptoms you describe. Usually over-the-counter painkillers can help, and you can use an ice pack if you see any swelling or discomfort. Call the ER if the pain is caused by a broken jaw.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: Treatment depends on the underlying cause of jaw pain, although wearing a mouthguard is often a viable solution if the issue is linked to bruxism (grinding and clenching of the teeth while asleep).

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

It’s not uncommon for food debris to get stuck between your teeth, and while it can be painful, it’s rarely an emergency. In fact, you can often remove the object yourself by flossing or by vigorously rinsing with water. Don’t try to force it out with a toothpick or another sharp object, however, as you could end up injuring the inside of your mouth without meaning to. There are some cases where you might need a dentist’s help to remove foreign materials that you can’t get rid of yourself. Call us right away if removing the object in question proves too difficult.