Marietta Emergency Dentist

Dental emergencies can be stressful, painful experiences. In the case of most medical emergencies, a
call to 911 or a trip to the emergency room is the obvious next step. However, many patients
aren’t sure who to call if they experience a dental emergency. Leading Edge Dentistry is happy to
help our patients whenever they need us most, and that includes emergency care.
Simply contact our office and we will offer first aid tips and schedule an appointment right
away to restore your smile.

Why Choose Leading Edge Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?

• Same-Day Appointments Available
• Multiple Sedation Options to Choose From
• Advanced Technology and Patient Amenities

What to Expect When You Visit

• The sooner you get in touch with our office, the better. When you give us a call, we’ll be
  better able to assess your dental emergency and confirm if your symptoms indicate if immediate
  attention is necessary.
• Ideally, we’ll get you seen the same day you call. We’re also happy to provide advice
  over the phone to make your situation better.
• Once you arrive, we’ll perform a detailed examination of your mouth and capture digital X-rays
  to confirm the exact cause of your dental issue. From there, we can develop a customized treatment
  plan that explains just how extensive the problem actually is and your symptoms.
• While the treatments we may recommend typically include dental fillings, crowns, inlays and onlays,
  gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, and extractions, they are not the only services we may
  consider to manage your dental emergency.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Your first step in any dental emergency should be to reach out to Leading Edge Dentistry. We’ll
walk you through first aid over the phone, which usually includes some basic steps you can take during
common dental emergencies. This will work to reduce your discomfort ahead of your scheduled appointment
and ideally prevent your dental problem from getting worse.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Your dental emergency treatment costs will drastically vary based on the extent of the damage. In order
to provide accurate pricing, we’ll need to see you and assess the individual situation. However,
we are, as always, happy to process and file your dental insurance claims to offset the costs of your
dental treatments. We’ll also be happy to work with you to apply for low- and no-interest
financing when necessary to ensure your emergency dental treatment will fit your budget.

All Dental Emergencies Are Different

The first visit with your emergency dentist in Marietta should actually be quite affordable. All that
we’ll do is get you out of pain, assess the damage, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your
specific needs. We’ll also discuss the fees associated with the services you’ll need ahead
of time so that you won’t be caught by surprise.

How Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Dental emergencies always seem to happen when you least expect them. However, while some of them are
sudden accidents that could not have been avoided, many dental emergencies occur as a result of
infection, decay, or other damage that has been steadily worsening for weeks or months. By keeping up
with a daily routine of brushing and flossing and visiting our office twice a year for checkups and
cleanings, you can prevent a great deal of emergencies and end up saving potentially thousands of
dollars on dental care!

Another way to save money is to call us the moment you notice any type of oral health issue, however
minor. The sooner you reach out to us, the less likely you are to need an expensive procedure. For
example, if you get a hurting tooth looked at right away, you may only require a root canal, as opposed
to an extraction (and dental implant).

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

You’ll be happy to know that most dental insurance providers offer at least partial coverage for
emergency care. Many of them cover one needed emergency exam per year, and they often cover common
emergency dental procedures (crowns, root canals, etc.) at 80% to 50%, depending on the details of your
plan. If you have dental insurance, our team will gladly file your claims on your behalf to ensure
you’re receiving all of the benefits you’re eligible for.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Just because you’re uninsured doesn’t mean your care is out of reach. At Leading Edge
Dentistry, we offer two methods of mitigating the cost of emergency dentistry in Marietta: Lending Club
and CareCredit. Both of these companies provide low- or no-interest payment plans that should fit
comfortably into just about anyone’s budget!

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

You can’t always plan for a dental emergency. They are, after all, unpredictable by their very
nature. However, you can take steps to avoid one and minimize the risk of damage to your smile.
That’s why we have included a list of easy tips to help you prevent dental emergencies in Marietta
below. Read on to ensure you’re well-prepared!

Visit Our Dental Office Regularly

Dental emergencies can’t be planned for, but your routine checkups and cleanings certainly can!
Make sure that you’re seeing us at least twice per year for a preventive appointment. This will
give our dentists an opportunity to stop potential emergencies in their tracks by diagnosing and
treating warning signs, like small cavities and fractures, early on.

Prioritize At-Home Oral Hygiene

Attending biannual dental checkups is only half the battle in safeguarding your smile against
preventable emergencies. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is just as important. Be sure to start
and end every day by brushing your teeth for two minutes. You should also floss at least once daily to
remove any food debris that might have gotten caught between your teeth. Adding an antibacterial mouth
rinse to your routine can help greatly by targeting bacteria and plaque in parts of your mouth that your
floss and toothbrush can’t quite reach.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Bacteria in your mouth love to feed on leftover sugar particles on your teeth and gums. They use sugar
(and starches) as fuel to erode your tooth enamel and inflame your gum tissue, causing cavities and gum
disease, respectively. Swapping sugary and starchy foods for mouth-healthy alternatives like fresh
fruits and vegetables will dramatically reduce your risk of bacteria causing a painful cavity or
infection that results in your having to visit our emergency dental office in Marietta.

Wear a Mouthguard

If you play sports, even non-contact ones, it’s in your best interest to invest in a high-quality
mouthguard to shield your teeth from injury due to impact. Our office can craft you a personalized
mouthguard designed to deliver a comfortable fit and powerful protection.

Similarly, you should wear a nightguard if you deal with bruxism (chronic nighttime teeth grinding and
jaw clenching). Over time, this habit can wear down, chip, or crack your teeth, but our custom
nightguards provide protective cushioning between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Tooth enamel is actually the strongest material in the human body. However, your teeth are not meant to
withstand the pressure of being used to open packaging or bottles. It may seem convenient, but your
teeth could easily become fractured. Take the time to reach for the proper tool for the job instead.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s

It’s no secret that the majority of people don’t know what to do in a dental emergency.
However, they’re more common than you might think, with 1 in 6 Americans facing one every year. To
help you deal with that situation and avoid more panic-inducing confusion, we have created this list of
some of our most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies and answered them for your
convenience.

Do I Still Need to See the Dentist If My Toothache Suddenly Goes Away?

While some might think that tooth pain is a fairly common and normal occurrence, the truth is that
it’s anything but. A toothache is often a symptom of an underlying problem, like gum disease,
an infection, or tooth decay. Even if your toothache subsides, you should still call your emergency
dentist and schedule an appointment to see what caused your pain in the first place and prevent your
toothache from coming back.

I Can’t Afford the Dentist. Should I Wait to Go?

No one wants to be saddled with a large dental bill, but when you are faced with a dental emergency,
time is of the utmost importance. Waiting too long to seek treatment could ultimately cost you your
tooth. We completely understand that you might be worried about the cost of treatment, which is why our
friendly and helpful team will work with you to minimize the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket. If
you don’t have dental insurance, we also partner with third-party financing options like Lending
Club and CareCredit.

How Can I Manage the Pain?

Depending on your individual pain tolerance, you might need some extra help dealing with the discomfort
until you can reach our office. You can use one of the following treatments in the meantime:

• Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Topical pain relievers like Orajel
• Ice pack to reduce both pain and swelling

It’s worth mentioning that even if you are able to temporarily manage the pain, you should still
give us a call to schedule a visit. That way we can address the root cause of your pain and keep it from
making a resurgence.

What If I Have an Emergency While Out of Town?

First things first, try not to panic. See if you can find a dentist in the area who can give you
treatment for the immediate problem. If you can, then that will allow you to enjoy the rest of your
vacation free of pain. Then, call us to book an appointment for when you get back in town. At that
appointment, we can see whether you need any further treatment.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

The moment a toothache appears, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a good chance
it’s not a dental emergency. However, it could still be an indicator of something that is wrong
with your tooth that should be checked out. Even though most dental pain won’t need to be treated
right away, you should call our office if:

• You have severe pain that lasts for 24 to 48 hours, your daily life becomes more difficult due to
  the discomfort, or you experience interrupted sleep
• The tooth darkens in color
• A sharp pain occurs in the tooth when biting down
• Pain occurs while opening the mouth wide
• Earaches, fever, or fatigue accompany the toothache
• Swelling gums appear or pimple-like bumps develop on the gums

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Always make an appointment even if the toothache doesn’t seem that bad. After all, with enough
time, it could turn into something more serious. In the meantime, floss around the tooth, rinse your
mouth out with warm saltwater, and take OTC painkillers as needed. If swelling appears, apply a cold
compress to your cheek. Never attempt to pop any pimple-like bumps nor apply aspirin directly to teeth
or the gum tissue.

How We Treat Toothaches

We’ll need to examine your tooth more closely to determine the cause and the best treatment. The
service we perform will depend on what led to the toothache in the first place. However, the most common
treatments we recommend for toothaches include dental fillings, dental crowns, antibiotics, prescription
mouthwash, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or (as a last resort) tooth extraction.

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

While chipped teeth are not typically a dental emergency, you’ll want to get in touch with our
office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Without attention, the chip could become larger
and even lead to decay.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Start by rinsing your mouth out with warm water to keep the area clean as well as prevent accidentally
swallowing or choking on any pieces of your tooth that may have broken off. You should then cover the
tooth with sugarless gum or dental wax, especially if you experience sensitivity.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth

Most chipped teeth are easy to resolve with composite resin. However, if a chip is present in a more
visible tooth, we may recommend a veneer instead. This option may be especially ideal if you care about
maintaining a more complete smile.

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Whether you had a bad fall, forgot to wore a mouthguard while playing football, or bit down on a piece
of food in the wrong way, a cracked tooth can appear for a variety of reasons. Some cracks are clearly
visible, but others may still be present even if you can’t see them. If you notice pain or
sensitivity when biting down, especially soon after the incident occurred, your tooth may be cracked.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Collect as many of the broken pieces of tooth as possible. Rinse your mouth out with warm water to clean
your mouth. Apply a cold compress to ease any swelling. In the meantime, avoid eating or chewing
anything until the tooth has been treated. You can also cover the tooth with sugar-free chewing gum or
dental wax.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth

Our office may be able to use tooth-colored composite resin to restore the tooth, but more severe cases
may require a dental crown. In the worst-case scenario, it may need to be extracted.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

While mild sensitivity is usually nothing to worry about, extreme dental sensitivity often calls for a
visit to your emergency dentist in Marietta, especially if the problem is afflicting just one or two
teeth. You could have a cracked tooth, a missing filling, a deep cavity, or even a dangerous infection
in your teeth or gums.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

Call our office and describe what you are feeling. Based on what you describe, we might advise you to
come in for an appointment or try some at-home pain relief methods. In some cases, cutting back on hot
and cold foods or using a sensitivity-reducing toothpaste can minimize discomfort.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth

The best treatment depends on what is causing the sensitivity. Conservative methods involve things like
prescription mouthwashes and fluoride treatments. It is also possible that you need root canal therapy,
gum disease treatment, or a new restoration (such as a filling or crown).

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies! It is often possible to replant a lost
tooth in Marietta, but only if you receive treatment within an hour or two of the incident that knocked
it out. Waiting longer than that may mean that you lose the tooth permanently. Plus, there may be damage
to the surrounding tissue that needs to be addressed.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

Touch the tooth only by its top part. Gently rinse off any debris, and try to place the tooth back in
its socket. If that is not possible, store it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit to keep
it safe. As a last resort, you can place it in water. Although water might cause slight damage to the
tooth, it is extremely important to keep it moist.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

We will assess the tooth to determine if it is possible to replant it. If it is, we will splint it back
into place, and your body will reintegrate it as you heal. If the tooth is not viable, we will address
damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about your tooth replacement options, such as a bridge or a
dental implant.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

A lost dental crown in Marietta is not a particularly urgent dental emergency, nor is a lost filling.
However, it is important to seek treatment fairly quickly because leaving the tooth exposed for too long
could subject it to further damage and infection.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

You may be able to temporarily reattach a lost crown with a dab of toothpaste or denture adhesive.
Whether or not that is possible, try to avoid chewing with the exposed tooth to the extent possible.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns

We will assess the health of your tooth before we determine what to do. If you have the restoration that
fell out, we might recement it into place. If you do not have it, we may have to provide you with an
entirely new restoration.

Broken Dentures

Is my broken denture a dental emergency?

If faced with a broken denture in Marietta, you should call to schedule an appointment with us right
away. The reason is that the longer you continue to wear your damaged prosthetic, the greater your
chances of injuring your soft oral tissues.

How you should handle a broken denture:

When attempting to deal with a broken denture at home, it’s best to first call our office after
thoroughly examining your prosthetic. This will give us an idea of how severe the break is so we can
determine the best course of action. In the meantime, you can purchase a denture repair kit; however,
this is only recommended if you are in urgent need of a temporary solution.

How we treat broken dentures:

When visiting our dental office, you will discover that we will either repair the denture (depending on
the severity of the damage) or replace it. Should your prosthetic no longer be viable, you can opt for
dental implants, which are permanent and capable of lasting 30 years or more.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency?

A loose tooth in Marietta should be seen by our team as soon as possible. The only teeth that should
ever be loose are those that belong to a young child who is preparing for their adult teeth to erupt. No
matter if you are experiencing pain or not, you’ll need to call and schedule an appointment with
us right away.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth:

Try not to touch or poke at the loose tooth. Instead, make sure you do not eat on that side of your
mouth and avoid anything hard or sticky in texture. When brushing and flossing, be careful around this
area, as you do not want to cause further damage or make the tooth completely fall out.

How we treat loose permanent teeth:

If gum disease and bone loss are causing a permanent tooth to become loose, we will need to treat the
area with periodontal therapy. It may also be necessary to perform a bone graft if the tooth must be
removed, so you can move forward with dental implants.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency?

The good news about these types of injuries is they are often quick to heal. However, if you are
worried, don’t hesitate to contact our office. It is better to alert us to the situation right
away so that we can give you instructions on how to handle the situation at home while you wait to see a
member of our team.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue:

Treating soft tissue injuries requires cleaning the area with warm water before applying clean gauze for
10 minutes at a time. You can also use a cold compress to reduce swelling and alleviate any discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue:

Depending on the severity of the laceration, we may need to stitch the area to encourage proper healing.
We’ll also discuss the benefits of a customized mouthguard if the injury occurred as a result of
playing sports. If you continue to experience bleeding after 10 minutes, it may be necessary for you to
get to a local emergency room before coming to our office for treatment.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency?

Although it is not typically considered a “dental emergency,” dealing with chronic jaw pain
can be debilitating if left untreated. Calling us to schedule an appointment is highly recommended,
especially if you find it difficult trying to maneuver throughout your day-to-day tasks.

How you should handle jaw pain:

Our dental team at Leading Edge Dentistry will always provide top-notch instructions on how to handle
your dental emergency at home while waiting to see the doctor. Whether it is practicing facial massages,
changing what it is you eat regularly, or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, you can minimize the
discomfort you’re experiencing. If the pain is the result of a broken or fractured jawbone,
immediate medical care is necessary and can be found at your local ER.

How we treat jaw pain:

Treating jaw pain requires identifying the cause and using the correct form of treatment. If teeth
grinding is the problem, a customized mouthguard can help to remedy the issues. If inflammation to your
jaw joints is causing headaches and pain throughout your mouth, jaw, shoulders, and neck, TMJ Therapy is
a good solution. If impacted wisdom teeth are pressing against your natural, healthy ones, it will
likely be best to have them extracted to avoid worsening your oral health.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

The removal of an object stuck between your teeth should be handled with care. Your emergency dentist in
Marietta recommends using dental floss or a water irrigator to push out anything that might cause damage
to your teeth and/or soft oral tissues. Tweezers, toothpicks, and other tools with sharp edges will only
put you at greater risk for additional damage.