Emergency dental care can make a big difference in your oral health and comfort. Tarzana dentist Afsoon Gerayli, DDS, and the staff at Victory Cosmetic Dentistry will resolve your emergency dental issues and get you back to your busy life as quickly as possible. In addition to Tarzana and Resada, Victory Cosmetic Dentistry serves surrounding communities such as Encino, Northridge, Sherman Oaks, West Hills, Woodland Hills and Van Nuys.

How do I know if I'm having a a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are pretty much what they sound like – conditions that should be treated immediately to stop bleeding or pain, save a tooth or prevent an infection from spreading. A full-service dental office like Victory Cosmetic Dentistry is equipped to handle even serious problems and the staff has the necessary training. Among the conditions we can treat are broken teeth, teeth that have been knocked out, abscesses and other infections, broken crowns and implants, bleeding and pain. We have an emergency dental line for your convenience and also keep some room in our daily schedule to allow us to see patients who have a dental emergency and need immediate care.

Treatment for Dental Emergencies

Each dental emergency requires specific care. That means we must maintain the necessary supplies, medications and technology or treatments to be sure we're prepared for whatever happens. Here are the major dental emergencies and treatments:

1. Abscess

   An abscess occurs when you have an infection and the body is trying to fight it. The body creates an abscess to contain the infection, but there's nowhere for the pus formed by the infection to go. The resulting pressure builds in the confined area under the tooth or in the jawbone, causing severe pain. If untreated, the abscess may burst and spread bacteria into the blood stream. An abscess can also infect the bone itself, which creates a much more serious problem. In many cases, the abscess must be drained to relieve the pressure. You'll need a course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Finally, you should have treatment to correct the problem that led to the infection in the first place.

2. Crowns and Implants

   Crowns and implants are used to correct problems like broken or missing teeth. Sometimes a problem like severe pain can develop a day or two after the work is completed. You might also break or dislodge a crown. Allergic reactions to implants are not very common, but they can occur, and infections are also a possibility. All of these situations require emergency dental care. The broken crown must be removed and repaired or replaced. Allergic reactions are treated with antihistamines and may require that the implant be removed. Infections are treated with antibiotics.

3. Tooth Damage

   Injuries to teeth can include chips, cracks and complete breaks. Automobile accidents, sports injuries and biting something hard or using the teeth as tools are the most likely causes of these kinds of injuries. In some cases, the damage extends into the root area, which can cause severe pain. A broken tooth may also leave the blood vessels exposed or damaged, causing significant bleeding. Split teeth may also cause root damage. They may damage surrounding teeth or the gum as well, and are prone to infection. Although a crack might not seem as significant, cracked teeth can become infected. It's much better to treat the crack immediately than to wait and deal with an infection. Any of these injuries may also cause damage to the lips, gums, inside of the mouth or tongue.

4. Knocked Out Tooth

   When this kind of injury occurs, speed is essential if you are to have any chance of saving the tooth. If possible, place the tooth gently back in the socket and keep it there – don't wash it or do anything else – until you can get to the dentist. This helps to keep the root moist and increases the chance that the tooth can be reattached. If you can't put it in the socket, store it in a sealed container in some milk. Call us immediately so we can get you in for care. Even if a tooth isn't knocked completely out, it's still an emergency. The tissue in the gum area may be damaged and the loose tooth is likely to be painful. It also increases the chance of decay and gum disease if not treated promptly.

Dr. Gerayli is the top choice when you're looking for a Resada dentist to perform emergency care. Gentle, compassionate and very experienced, she is well trusted by patients and families. Call our emergency line immediately if you have any kind of dental emergency so Dr. Gerayli can assess the situation and make a recommendation for treatment.