Emergency Dental Care in Lancaster, PA

Accidents happen at every stage in life, which is why LANCO Dental Care is pleased to offer swift, compassionate emergency dental services to assist our patients when they need it most. Some of the most common dental emergencies we treat are cracked, broken, or chipped teeth, tooth pain, and teeth that have been knocked out. Dental emergencies can result from biting into hard foods, a mishap while playing sports, a bad spill, or a blunt-force injury to the mouth or jaw. While you or your loved one may or may not feel discomfort, it is important to have your mouth checked following any incident to screen for any oral damage. At our established Lancaster, PA dental practice, we make urgent dental needs a priority and fit emergency visits into our schedule as soon as possible.

Determining what qualifies as a dental emergency can be difficult. It can be even harder to determine if you need to make time within your day to visit the dentist for emergency dental care. While tooth pain or a chipped tooth may not seem like a big deal, there are many benefits to seeking out dental care when experiencing both extreme and common dental emergencies. Some of those benefits include:

• Reduce tooth or mouth pain
• Save a tooth that has been knocked out
• Restore proper function to the mouth
• Reduce your risk of developing an infection

In certain situations, such as with a dislodged or knocked-out tooth, time is of the essence and urgent dental care is needed right away. You may also require emergency care if a tooth or restoration falls out, you are in pain, or you have a cracked or broken tooth. When you have any injury or damage to your mouth that impacts your gums, teeth, soft tissues, or jawbone, it is best to get in touch with our office. A member of our team will help you determine how quickly to come in, offer ways to manage any discomfort, and suggest how to preserve your tooth or dental restoration until you arrive at our Lancaster, PA office. Even seemingly small injuries can lead to larger issues if not handled as soon as possible. Therefore, it is best to contact our experienced dental team as soon as possible.

When you arrive for your emergency dental visit, we will have you relax in one of our treatment rooms and evaluate your condition. Digital images might be taken to check for hidden conditions and evaluate the full impact of your injury or damage. Since each dental emergency is different, our skilled practitioners will thoroughly evaluate your problem before providing a diagnosis. We will then discuss your options for care and create your treatment plan. When possible, we will provide treatment during your emergency visit. Our primary focus will be to resolve any discomfort and return function and appearance to your smile. Depending on your needs, however, you might require one or more visits to fully address your oral health.

At the end of your emergency visit, we will provide you with instructions that will help you heal. We may write you a prescription for antibiotics or pain medication, which should be used as directed. Our caring team will also let you know if you should schedule a follow-up appointment. After your dental emergency is addressed, our team may offer suggestions on preventing future accidents, such as with a custom-made mouth guard that can help protect your mouth during contact sports. Keeping up with a regular home oral hygiene routine through brushing and flossing each day can help to maintain your oral health following emergency care. During your cleaning and check-up visits with our Lancaster, PA team, we will continue to keep an eye on your healing progress.

When do I need an emergency dental appointment?
You may need to see an emergency dentist if you suffer an injury to your mouth or jaw or you have a knocked-out tooth, sudden swelling in your mouth, or oral pain or discomfort that lingers. Abscessed or infected teeth may also be treated on an emergency basis. Should you break a tooth, experience a loose or damaged restoration (such as a crown, filling, bridge, or denture), or get something caught between your teeth that you cannot remove, please contact our LANCO Dental Care team to see if you need an emergency dental visit.

Is a cavity a dental emergency?
Cavities, or tooth decay, are not necessarily a dental emergency. When cavities are diagnosed and addressed promptly, there is usually no need to treat them in an emergency. If cavities are left untreated, however, they may become more severe, which could lead to tooth pain, infection, or other issues that may end up requiring emergency dental treatment.

What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Should you or your child suffer a dislodged or knocked-out tooth, please call our Lancaster, PA office immediately. If possible, it is best to avoid touching the root of the tooth and to try to place it back into the socket until you can be seen by our emergency dentist. Our team will instruct you on how to care for the tooth and your mouth until you are able to arrive at our practice for urgent dental care.

How long can a broken tooth go untreated?
It is generally recommended that a cracked tooth be repaired as soon as possible. You should contact our office immediately if you have a cracked tooth with worsening symptoms, as more severe dental complications can develop.

What can I do to relieve pain or swelling?
If for some reason you cannot get to our office immediately for emergency dental care, there are a few things we can recommend to help relieve pain or reduce swellings. We recommend using a cold compress and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.

What happens if I lose a tooth filling?
If you lose a tooth filling, call our office as soon as possible to be seen by a dentist. Although it may not be an immediate emergency, losing a tooth filling can become a dental emergency if it goes untreated for extended amounts of time or is accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms or pain.

When you or a loved one has urgent dental needs, we encourage you to call LANCO Dental Care for emergency dental services. Our highly trained and caring staff will work quickly to manage your condition and provide the comfort and relief you need to improve your oral health. Fast, timely treatment is the key to saving your oral well-being and preventing potential problems. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our office in Lancaster, PA, for emergency dental care when your family needs it most.