Emergency Dentist – Studio City, CA

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Yes, a serious toothache can be a dental emergency if you do not seek help promptly. Although many instances of tooth pain can be attributed to sinus congestion or a stuffy nose, more serious signs, such as a fever, intense discomfort, etc., should be examined by our trusted team of professionals sooner rather than later.

How you should handle a toothache: If you suspect there is an object lodged between your teeth that is causing the toothache, try to remove it with traditional dental floss. If this proves not to be the problem, rinse your mouth with warm water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease any discomfort until you can reach our dental office.

How we treat toothaches: Treating a toothache begins by identifying the underlying cause. Based on the information collected during an examination, the toothache will be treated with antibiotics, a tooth-colored filling, a dental crown, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or a tooth extraction.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Similar to a cracked tooth in Studio City, a chipped one may not require immediate care; however, waiting too long will only increase the chances of further damage. It’s better to call and alert our team of the incident so that we can determine when it’s the best time for you to come in for treatment.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Rinsing your mouth with warm water can help flush out any debris and keep your mouth free of any harmful bacteria. If possible, try to retrieve the chipped portion of the tooth and bring it to your appointment. In the meantime, do not chew with that side of your mouth and avoid unhealthy habits that place additional pressure on the affected tooth.

How we treat chipped teeth: To treat a chipped tooth, our emergency dentist in Studio City will determine if the detached piece can be bonded back into place. If so, we will use appropriate materials to reattach the tooth. If it cannot be retrieved or is too badly chipped to try and fix, we may try to rebuild the area with direct bonding or conceal it altogether with a custom veneer.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? The longer you wait to seek professional help for a cracked tooth, the greater the risk of additional damage to the tooth or nearby teeth. Minor cracks can be treated within a few days, but major ones may need to be treated on the same day.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: It’s best to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and be careful when brushing and flossing around the affected tooth. You should also not bite down on anything, as this can further damage the cracked tooth. You may take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use a cold compress should you need help reducing the pain.

How we treat cracked teeth: A cracked tooth is likely to be treated with direct bonding or a dental crown. When the tooth is severely damaged and cannot support itself, a dental crown will likely be the recommended form of treatment. If the crack is minor and only impacts your aesthetics, we may be able to use direct bonding to conceal the flawed area.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Highly sensitive teeth are a dental emergency, as it’s likely there is a more serious problem lying underneath the surface.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: Having sensitive teeth can make consuming various foods and beverages more difficult. This is why it’s best to avoid hot or cold temperatures and stick to those that are lukewarm. You’ll also want to avoid placing additional pressure on the sensitive areas to reduce irritation and pain.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: Sensitivity can be caused by various things, including aggressive brushing, excessive whitening, a cracked tooth, an infection, periodontitis, etc. This is why we must identify the source and prepare a treatment plan accordingly. It may include fluoride treatment, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, or a customized dental crown or filling.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency, and time is of the essence if you want to try and save it.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: The first step is to retrieve it and rinse out your mouth. Holding the tooth only by the crown, you can quickly rinse off any debris before attempting to reinsert it into the socket. Biting down gently can help hold it in place. If this is unsuccessful, you can store the tooth in a container of milk or your saliva until you reach the dentist’s office.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: Our team at Studio City Dental Arts will survey the tooth and determine if it is still capable of being saved. If so, we’ll use a splint to hold it in place until it reintegrates with the bone and surrounding tissues. If too much time has passed or the tooth is badly damaged, we’ll need to discuss replacement options, which can include a dental implant, partial denture, or dental bridge.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Losing a dental crown or filling can be alarming, but you may not require a same-day emergency visit. However, you will not want to hold off too long, as bacteria can enter the vulnerable space and cause reinfection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you are without a crown or filling, you can use dental cement as a temporary way to hold it in place until you see your emergency dentist in Studio City. If you find this to be difficult, you do not have to use it. In the meantime, be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth, and avoid food and beverages that will irritate the affected tooth.

How we treat a lost filling or crown: When arriving at our office, we will want to view the existing crown or filling if you can bring it with you to your appointment. If it appears intact, we may be able to bond it into place. However, if you do not have the restoration or it is too badly damaged, we’ll need to have a new tooth-colored filling or metal-free dental crown crafted to protect your tooth.

Broken Denture

Is my broken denture a dental emergency? A broken denture in Studio City is considered a dental emergency, so you will need to call and schedule an appointment with our team right away.

How you should handle a broken denture: Although you may be tempted to wear your denture until you reach our office, it’s best if you leave it out of your mouth. The jagged or rough edges can cause harm to your soft oral tissues and any remaining natural teeth.

How we treat broken dentures: When reviewing your denture, we may suggest some kind of dental bonding material if the crack or break is minor. However, if your dentures cannot be worn or used normally because of the damage, we will suggest either having them replaced with a new one or switching to a dental bridge or dental implant, depending on your preference and budget.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? Loose permanent teeth are never a good thing, so you should make sure to call and schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Studio City as soon as possible.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: While at home with one or more loose permanent teeth, you’ll need to avoid touching or prodding them with your tongue. Also, do not attempt to eat using that side of your mouth. Make sure to stay away from anything hard, crunchy, or sticky, as it can pull the tooth out.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: One of the most common reasons for a loose permanent tooth is advanced gum disease. If the infection is impacting the bone, it can cause your natural teeth to loosen over time. Another reason might be facial trauma. Depending on your case, we’ll need to determine if it needs to be extracted. If so, we will remove the tooth safely and comfortably before discussing how it should be replaced. This can include a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Sustaining an injury to your lips, gums, or tongue – your soft oral tissues – is usually not a dental emergency, as these most often heal at home.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: The best thing you can do when treating this type of problem at home is to start by using clean gauze to stop the bleeding. Hold it on the area until you notice it stops. If it doesn’t within 10 minutes, get to a local emergency room. Otherwise, you can apply an ice pack after the bleeding stops. This will reduce any swelling and discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: There are several reasons why a soft tissue injury can occur (i.e., sports-related damage, using inappropriate tools to dislodge something from your teeth, etc.). If you prefer to have a professional look at it, we can determine if you need stitches. We can also discuss how the injury occurred and suggest ways to keep it from happening again in the future.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Serious cases of jaw pain should be treated right away by a trustworthy emergency dentist in Studio City. The problem can stem from stress, teeth grinding, facial trauma, or a misaligned bite.

How you should handle jaw pain: Chronic jaw pain can be debilitating, so until you reach our office, it’s best if you avoid any unhealthy habits, like biting your fingernails or using your teeth to pry open containers or packages. Also, do not chew or bite down on anything hard or chewy. Try to also avoid opening your mouth wide for any reason.

How we treat jaw pain: We will need to determine the underlying cause of your jaw pain, which will likely require a visual examination and digital imaging. Once we diagnose the problem, we will suggest one or more methods of treatment, some of which might include a customized nightguard to combat bruxism and/or TMJ therapy.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

When you have something stuck between your teeth, there is usually no need to seek professional help. Instead, you can rinse with warm water and use a piece of dental floss to remove whatever is lodged. However, if this proves futile, you are welcome to call our office for help. Just don’t attempt to use anything sharp to remove the object or piece of food, such as tweezers, a toothpick, a knife, or a fork, etc. This can cause damage to your teeth and gums, resulting in a dental emergency.