Unless it's caused by impact trauma (a sharp blow to the mouth), most dental emergencies have been brewing for some time. Your first warning that something is wrong might be when the affected tooth begins to hurt, but by this point, a fully-fledged dental emergency can already be underway. When a tooth starts to cause pain, one of the first things to consider is if the tooth has a filling.
An Infected Dental Nerve
The discomfort associated with a failing filling can be extreme, and can quickly escalate. As the filling deteriorates, it can no longer comprehensively seal the cavity. This allows bacteria and other contaminants to enter the tooth and begin to attack its nerve (also called its pulp). The nerve becomes infected, and this is the pain you're experiencing. The trouble is that your pain is quite likely to become worse, and you may not be able to wait until your usual dentist is able to assess the problem.
Assessing The Situation
Emergency dentistry can be required. What will the emergency dentist actually do? A visual inspection can confirm the filling's deterioration, but it's not just a matter of replacing it. A radiograph will be needed. The dentist will check whether the cavity has returned and continued to develop beneath the filling, possibly even breaching the tooth's central pulp chamber (where the nerve is found). If the tooth's nerve is irreversibly infected and unable to recover, you may need an urgent root canal, which totally removes the infected nerve.
Checking For Dental Abscesses
A radiograph also allows the emergency dentist to check the severity of any infection. A dental abscess can be forming in your gums, and this type of infection has the potential to be very serious. You may need antibiotics to combat this infection. If the abscess is sufficiently large, the dentist might opt to puncture it to drain its contents (primarily pus).
Replacing Your Restoration
Although more drastic intervention may be needed, it can also be that an emergency dentist will just replace your filling. If your dental nerve is only inflamed, as opposed to infected, replacing the filling can protect the tooth's inner sections, which allows the nerve to recover. However, if the cavity has increased in size while still not breaching the tooth's pulp chamber, a filling might not be enough. In some cases, a more comprehensive restoration (such as a dental crown fitted over the entire tooth) might be needed to replace the filling.
The pain of a failing filling can be intense, which very much makes it a dental emergency. Please don't hope that the problem will correct itself, as your pain is a warning sign that your needs are urgent.
Share11 July 2022
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
