Dr. Huff’s first priority is always to maximize every patient’s comfort as well as save a missing or damaged tooth. If you have a loose or missing tooth due to physical trauma or if you’re experiencing any type of dental discomfort, call our office right away at (830) 896-8343. Our emergency dental care team will always ensure you get the medical attention you need!
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
If a loose tooth remains in your mouth, don’t touch it or try to remove it. There’s a chance it can be saved once you visit our office. If your tooth falls out, make sure to bring it with you when you come in for treatment.
In case you’re unsure how to handle a missing tooth:
- Only handle the tooth by its crown
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in lukewarm water
- Place the tooth in a container of milk or lukewarm water
- Get to Precision Dentistry & Implants in Kerrville as soon as possible
Financing Urgent Dental Care
When it comes to a dental emergency, the cost can always be a worry for many patients. Here at Precision Dentistry & Implants, we offer in-house financing options to help you receive the care you need.
We work with third-party financial companies like CareCredit and Lending Club. Once approved, they will cover partial, or sometimes full, costs of your dental treatment. During your visit, you can discuss these options further with our financing team.
When Extraction is the Best Option
If an infection such as decay or gum disease goes untreated for an extended period of time, the damage may be too extensive to repair the tooth and extraction could become your only option.
Reasons you may require a tooth extraction include:
- When a tooth is severely damaged by decay
- When a broken or fractured tooth cannot be repaired
- In cases of advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
- If you need orthodontic work and more space is required between teeth
- To prepare for the dental implant process
- If you have crowding due to wisdom teeth (third molars)
Emergency Fillings & Crown Repair
If you notice your filling or dental crown has become loose or broken off, give us a call to get it repaired right away. We can restore and save your tooth by giving you a new filling or crown.
However, it’s important to know that you shouldn’t wait long to come in for emergency care because we may not be able to preserve your tooth after a certain period of time.
Emergency Root Canal Therapy
We know the pain caused by an infected root canal can be hard to tolerate. At our Kerrville dental office, it doesn’t have to be with our emergency root canal therapy.
Once you come in, we’ll immediately remove the infection from your pulp and fully restore your tooth with a dental crown. You’ll be able to leave our office with a healthy tooth and no more pain.
Unexpected Orthodontic Complication?
Throughout your orthodontic treatment, there’s oftentimes a chance something can happen. If this is the case, we offer emergency orthodontic care to help repair any broken brackets or wires.
Emergency Care for Your Children
We also provide unexpected dental care for children here at our Kerrville office. Don’t hesitate to call about your son or daughter’s dental issue. Our pediatric dental team will help diminish their pain and provide them with a treatment right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental emergencies are generally dental issues that require immediate attention. Emergencies can be life-threatening and lead to lasting changes in your oral structure.
Dental emergencies as defined by the ADA include:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Bacterial infections causing swelling that can compromise your airway
- Facial bone trauma
Urgent dental care is a step below a dental emergency, requiring immediate attention to relieve pain and the risk of infection. Urgent dental situations include a knocked-out tooth, severe dental pain, tooth fractures, and similar situations.
To reach us for an emergency dental appointment, call (830) 896-8343. We’ll assess your emergency situation over the phone and schedule an appointment for you with Dr. Huff to get your emergency taken care of.
Dr. Huff does his very best to ensure all his patients are safe and the correct steps are taken during an emergency. He’ll make sure you’re comfortable during treatment and that your emergency is fixed to the best of his ability.
Most people can get back to their daily lives a few days after the extraction. Simple extractions don’t take very long to recover from and you’ll be able to resume your normal physical activity 48 to 72 hours after the procedure.
More complex extractions may require more time. The most important thing for you to do is to follow your post-operative instructions from Dr. Huff. These instructions help your mouth to heal as quickly as possible without complications.
No, tooth extractions aren’t painful when they’re done properly. During the procedure, you’ll be given a strong local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain. You may feel a little pressure, but Dr. Huff will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible during your extraction.
You may feel some pain and discomfort in the days after your extraction as your mouth heals, but this is normal. Dr. Huff may prescribe pain relievers and give you instructions on taking care of your oral health after the procedure.