Emergency Dentistry for Missing Teeth
Biting down on crunchy bread, tripping over a loose step, getting knocked down in a game of football - these are all things that can lead to tooth loss. It is not unusual for tooth loss to occur suddenly and at the most inconvenient times.
When a tooth falls out, the steps that a person takes immediately afterward can mean the difference between preserving the natural tooth and losing it for good. Drs. James M. Stein and Brett E. Stein are happy to offer emergency dental services, including emergency dentistry for missing teeth, at their Boston, MA, dental practice. Here, we discuss what should be done if a tooth goes missing so that further dental complications can be avoided.
Do I Need Dental Care for a Missing Tooth?
When a tooth is lost from the front of the mouth, or when tooth loss results in significant pain, people usually don’t question the need for dental care. However, what if a tooth is lost from the back of the mouth, where it doesn’t impact the appearance of the smile? And what if the missing tooth does not cause any discomfort? Even in these situations, it is important to seek dental care for a missing tooth.
Tooth loss can compromise oral functions, throw off the balance of the bite, and may even lead to bone degeneration. It is essential that people seek dental care as soon as possible following tooth loss. Often, emergency dental care not only prevents more advanced dental problems, but can also preserve the natural tooth so that a dental restoration is not needed.
What To Do When a Tooth Falls Out
A lost tooth should always be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further dental complications. If people act quickly enough, and are able to receive emergency dental care, they may even be able to save the natural tooth. If a tooth falls out suddenly, our Boston patients should take the following steps:
- Collect the tooth (if possible), picking it up by the crown - do not touch the tooth’s roots
- Gently rinse the tooth with warm water
- Try to place the tooth back in its socket
- If the tooth will not sit in the socket, place it in a container of salt water or milk
- Contact an emergency dentist
Emergency Dental Services
Finding a dentist who offers emergency dentistry can be challenging. Fortunately, Drs. James M. Stein and Brett E. Stein offer a comprehensive range of emergency dental services at their Boston dental practice, including treatment for missing teeth.
Our practice provides a 24-hour live answering service. Our specialists are prepared to answer questions regarding a dental emergency, and offer steps to take to best handle the situation. When possible, we arrange same-day dental care to address the emergency. If same-day services are not available, an appointment can be scheduled to see one of our dentists the following day.
What If My Tooth Cannot Be Saved?
There are times when a person’s natural tooth cannot be saved following tooth loss. In these cases, we offer our Boston patients a range of dental restorations to address tooth loss, including dental crowns, dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Our dentists can place a temporary restoration to preserve the smile and prevent further dental complications until a permanent restoration is complete.
Get In Touch
If you have experienced sudden tooth loss and would like to seek emergency dentistry services at our dental practice, call (617) 925-6966 and speak to one of our dental specialists. For information about our regular dental services, contact our dental practice online or call us at (617) 227-6076.