Gillette Emergency Dental Care

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any issue that needs quick care to stop pain, bleeding, or save a tooth. Severe tooth pain is a key sign you need help fast.

Dental Accidents

If you’ve suffered a dental injury like a knocked out tooth, big crack, broken tooth, or significant chip / fractured tooth, these are dental emergencies . Call our team of dental professionals to get treated right away. Even a loose or dislodged dental crown can be considered a good reason to seek an emergency dental service.

Dental Infections

A swollen jaw or cheek can mean a bad infection. Infections can spread from the infected tooth to surrounding teeth. An infection requires quick treatment in order to prevent it from getting worse. In many cases a root canal can be performed in order to remove infected pulp on the inside of the tooth and prevent this infection from spreading – but again – quick treatment is essential.

Minor Issues May Not Be Emergencies

Not all tooth issues require emergency dentistry services. Small tooth chips may or may not be an emergency. If the chip isn’t accompanied by tooth pain, sharp edges, or major damage, it may just require dental bonding or another cosmetic dentistry procedure to properly treat your tooth.

If you’re unsure if you need an emergency dentist or if your dental problem is something that can wait, it is still best to pick up the phone and call our office in Gillette.

Our dental team should be able to provide guidance based on the symptoms of the dental issue that you’re experiencing.

Common Dental Emergencies and Immediate Treatment

For each of these scenarios, there are steps you can take at home to alleviate pain, but always call our dental office first. Each emergency dental situation is unique in its own way, and self treatment can oftentimes make the problem worse.

• Knocked Out Tooth -Unfortunately, a knocked out tooth is a very common dental emergency. You’ll want to keep it moist. Put it back in the socket if you can, or in milk until you can make it to our dental office.
• Cracked or Chipped Teeth – Cracked or chipped teeth need quick care to prevent more damage. Rinse your mouth with warm water and put a cold pack on your face to cut down swelling.
• Toothaches – In many cases, bad toothaches can be eased with over-the-counter pain meds. Rinse with warm salt water and floss to remove any stuck food.
• Abcess – For a possible abscess, rinse with salt water often. This helps draw out pus and eases pain.

Emergency Dental Services Available at Our Gillette Office

We Keep You Comfortable

Note that at our Gillette Dental Office, we strive to keep you comfortable during all dental procedures – including during urgent dental care procedures.

We offer sedation dentistry services at our office in Gillette. IV sedation puts you into a state of deep relaxation. You won’t be fully asleep, but you will be comfortable. You’ll have no recollection of the procedure, and your visit will appear to go quite quickly. Big Horn Dental Clinic is the only dental office in Campbell County that offers certified IV Sedation.

Types of Emergency Dental Services

Common services include:

• Tooth Extractions – A tooth extraction may be necessary for several reasons, including severe tooth decay or damage that cannot be repaired with a dental filling or dental crown.
• Root Canals – A root canal may be necessary to save a tooth that is severely infected or damaged. This procedure is often needed when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected. The procedure helps to preserve the infected tooth and prevent the infection from spreading to nearby teeth.
• Dental Filling Replacement – If you have a dislodged dental filling, we can ensure that the tooth is sound and provide you with a no filling.
• Dental Crowns – If you have a dislodged dental crown, we can assess your situation and and reattach the crown if possible. One of our dentists will remove the crown, clean both the crown and the tooth, and check for any damage or decay that may have caused the loosening. If the crown and the tooth are in good condition, we can oftentimes securely reattach the crown. In cases where the crown or tooth is damaged, a new crown may be necessary.
• Knocked Out Tooth – If you have a knocked out tooth, our dentists will assess your situation and will attempt to reattach it as quickly as possible if the tooth is still viable. If the tooth cannot be properly implanted, the dentist will discuss options for tooth replacement (like getting a dental implant to replace the functionality of the tooth)
• Fractured Teeth Treatment – Treating a fractured tooth will depend on the severity of the injury.
• Minor Cracks – If you have a very minor crack in your tooth, our dentists will assess the situation and may only need to apply dental bonding to fill the crack and restore the tooth’s appearance and function.
• Significant Fractures – More significant fractures may require more intervention. A dental crown may be used to cover and protect the entire tooth.
• Severe Fractures – For severe fractures that compromise the tooth structure, tooth extraction and replacement with dental implants or a bridge might be required.

Same-Day Treatment and Walk-Ins

When you have a dental emergency, you need help fast. Big Horn Dental Clinic takes dental emergency walk-ins during our business hours. Weekend dentist services aren’t offered at this time unfortunately.

Avoid Dental Emergencies by Maintaining Your Overall Oral Health

Regular Check-Ups and Cleanings

Routine dental visits are crucial for your oral health. You should come in to our office every 6 months for check-ups and cleanings. Don’t come alone, we are a family dentistry, so bring your whole family. The big benefit to all family members is that coming in to our office for these regular dental cleanings and exams helps us to catch small issues before they become big (and costly) problems.

During check-ups, Dr. Lee and Dr. Nichols look for signs of decay, gum disease, and other issues. They can spot problems you might not notice. The dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup (which can lead to gum disease) that regular brushing can’t get rid of.

X-rays may will be taken periodically to check for hidden issues. We also perform an oral cancer screening as part of your regular dental visits to our office.

Preventive Measures and Education

Brush and Floss

Good daily habits are vital for preventing dental emergencies. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove food particles between teeth.

Use a Mouthguard for Protection

Use a mouthguard when playing sports to protect against injuries. Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or popcorn kernels. These can crack or chip your teeth.

Eat Smart

A healthy diet low in sugar helps prevent cavities. Drink plenty of water to wash away food particles and bacteria. Quitting smoking also improves your oral health greatly.

We are a Full Service Dental Office

In addition to offering emergency dental services, we are a general dentistry practice. We offer most types of dental services including handling emergencies, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dental procedures.