Pain relief
Most patients in emergency dental offices present with complaints of severe pain. It is important to be specific when describing the discomfort. The dentist will do their best to treat the underlying cause after conducting a thorough examination. However, it may take antibiotics or other necessary drugs several hours to begin working.
Therefore, it is common practice to start with in-office pain treatment. In addition, patients may need to continue taking pain medication even after leaving the office. An injection in the affected region might provide almost instantaneous relief. After that, anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics can help treat any infection or swelling. However, a second appointment may be needed to address the underlying issue. Emergency dentists can provide a stopgap to give patients more time.
The dentist will try to make the patient comfortable throughout the dental visit. For instance, a portion of the gum may be removed to alleviate painful rubbing and swelling in the case of a damaged tooth. However, a second appointment will be required in order for the dentist to decide if they can save or must remove the tooth. A complete root canal procedure may also be possible during this appointment.
Other issues will need further help. Dental veneers, crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics may need re-creation or repair from the dentist if they sustain damage.
When patients come in for emergency dental care, they may not be in the right state of mind to make judgments regarding treatment and the associated fees. Therefore, the dentist will provide pain relief in the moment and allow patients to figure out the next steps afterward.