You’ve been having a wonderful day playing catch with your kids in the backyard. Then, it happens: A fly ball hits you in the cheek. At first, you don’t feel anything, but then you realize that one of your teeth is aching. In fact, the tooth seems to be a little loose, and looks like it’s cracked. In other words, it could be time for emergency dentistry.
In Knoxville, TN, Dr. Jack Haney regularly helps patients who need an emergency dentistry appointment. Whether it’s during normal business hours, including Fridays, or after hours, one last-minute visit could protect you from weeks, months, or even a lifetime of additional problems.
Emergency Dentistry Is Intervention That Works
Whenever possible, Dr. Haney promotes dental care prevention over intervention. That’s the reason he recommends six-month check-ups and long-term restoration dentistry solutions such as dental implants. However, in the case of immediate trauma to a tooth, or changes in dental health, emergency dentistry may be necessary.
How does emergency dentistry work? After getting in touch with the office by telephone, you will arrange a time to meet with Dr. Haney and his team as soon as possible. In the meantime, he or his knowledgeable staff members may make suggestions to keep you more comfortable or to reduce further damage to your teeth or gums.
When you arrive at your emergency appointment, Dr. Haney will conduct a thorough examination to find out what happened and how he can help. Using his years of expertise, he will then recommend treatment possibilities best-suited for your situation and health history.
Remember: The goal of any emergency dentistry appointment is to take care of immediate concerns, such as bleeding that won’t stop or a tooth that has fallen out. Consequently, you may have to come back for other visits in the following days and weeks to have more treatments as necessary.
What Are the Risks of Not Calling a Dentist in an Emergency?
Many people think that they can simply take a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to dental emergencies. Yet this may make it harder to save a tooth or avoid a more complicated situation that will require oral surgery or other procedures.
For these reasons, individuals should always call their dentist when they undergo any of the following experiences:
- A tooth has been knocked out.
- A tooth is very loose. (This does not count for “baby” teeth in children.)
- Gums are bleeding and won’t stop.
- Gums are significantly swollen or have pus coming from them.
- A toothache isn’t getting better.
- The teeth, gums, and/or jaw have incurred some form of trauma, such as being hit with an object.
- A tooth has changed color overnight, with or without accompanying pain.
- A dental crown has come loose or fallen off.
- A filling has come out.
Not sure if your emergency is big enough to warrant a phone call to Dr. Haney? Let someone on our team be the judge. We can help you decide if you can wait for a day or two, or if you need to see the dentist sooner.
Let Your Knoxville, TN, Dentist Help You Stay Healthy
Your Knoxville, TN, dentist is one of your valued healthcare partners. Become a patient of Dr. Jack Haney now to get the benefit of extended Friday office hours, as well as emergency dentistry treatments.
