NHS & General Dentistry

Emergency Dentistry

If you have chipped or broken a tooth as a result of an accident or injury, it is very important that you see a dentist as soon as possible. The same goes for one or more knocked out teeth. The sooner you are seen by a dental professional the better the chances that the teeth could be re-implanted, depending on the severity of your injury.
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Here are some of the steps an emergency dental appointment will cover:
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A thorough examination of the injured area will be undertaken. This may include dental x-rays to determine the extent of the damage.
Depending on the severity of the pain, the area will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
The injured area will be sterilised to reduce the risk of infection.
The damaged teeth will be restored temporarily or permanently, depending on the case.
In severe cases the affected tooth may require extraction and implant treatment will be discussed.
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If you require emergency dental treatment, you should ask to see a dentist as soon as possible. At our practice we offer appointments for all dental emergencies from toothache to lost or broken crowns, chipped teeth and fillings to abscesses, trauma, avulsed teeth and facial swelling. We can take care of your injuries to ensure you heal quicker and more effectively, ensuring that you avoid additional dental problems and complications in the future.

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment (also called endodontics) is needed when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected through tooth decay or damaged by an injury to your mouth. This infection may spread through the root canal system and could eventually lead to an abscess, causing a great deal of discomfort. If root canal treatment is not carried out, the tooth may need to be taken out.

Root canal therapy involves the following:
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First, local anaesthetic will be administered to ensure no discomfort is felt during treatment.
The tooth will be prepared with a drill, allowing access to the root canal system.
The root canal system will be thoroughly cleaned out to remove all infection and pulp.
The root canal system is then filled and sealed temporarily with a crown.
The tooth is checked at a later visit and when all the infection has cleared, the tooth is permanently filled.

Root canal treatment is a skilled and time-consuming procedure and most courses of treatment will involve two or more visits.

Extractions

In cases of advanced gum disease and tooth decay, teeth may need to be extracted. Some patients may also develop impacted wisdom teeth, which can cause intense pain. This is alleviated by having them removed surgically. One area in which it is possible for dentists to specialise is oral surgery, an umbrella term for all dental procedures involving surgery, such as the extraction of teeth or wisdom teeth. It is always important to get the advice of a dental professional if you are worried about any of your teeth. Never attempt to pull out your own tooth at home as this could cause a more serious problem for you.