Emergency Dentistry

When something causes damage to your smile, it’s important that you know who to call for emergency dentistry care. Roy Hudgens, DMD, is a dentist you can trust to protect and restore your smile. At Hudgens Dental in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Hudgens cares for all forms of dental emergencies, including knocked-out teeth, cracked teeth, and extensive dental damage. Call the office or schedule an appointment online to learn more about emergency dentistry.

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry addresses dental concerns that demand immediate treatment. At Hudgens Dental, Dr. Hudgens understands that dental emergencies can be frightening. That’s why he provides prompt care for patients with emergency needs. 

If you have a dental emergency, he can schedule a same-day appointment to diagnose and treat your condition.

How do I know if I need emergency dentistry?

Common signs of dental emergencies include:

• Fractured teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Severe tooth pain
• Painful, swollen gums
• Loose permanent teeth
• Damaged restorations

Bleeding that won’t stop is another sign that you need emergency dentistry.

What should I do if I need emergency dentistry?

If you suspect you have a dental emergency, contact Hudgens Dental right away. Dr. Hudgens and his staff can schedule your same-day appointment and give you instructions on caring for your teeth in the meantime.

Toothaches

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, tooth decay, shifting teeth, and severe chips or cracks are common causes of toothaches. A proper evaluation from Dr. Hudgens is essential to diagnose the underlying cause of your pain. 

While waiting for your appointment, avoid taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers until Dr. Hudgens diagnoses your condition. You can apply ice or a cold compress to the area of pain to minimize discomfort and swelling.

Knocked-out teeth

If you suffer a knocked-out tooth, try to locate it. Be careful not to disturb the roots as you carefully clean the tooth and store it in a glass of milk or saliva. Dr. Hudgens may place the tooth into its socket at your visit. If placement isn’t possible, he may recommend dental implants. These replacement tooth roots attach to dental crowns and restore your tooth function.

Dental damages

If you have a broken tooth, missing restoration, or deep dental decay, Dr. Hudgens performs a comprehensive dental evaluation to address your symptoms. He may recommend locating fractured pieces of teeth or damaged dental restorations and bringing them to your appointment. If possible, he can try to place them.

Dr. Hudgens performs a wide range of restorative treatments at his office. He can perform tooth extractions on severely broken or damaged teeth and remove inflamed tissues inside your teeth through root canal therapy.

Call Hudgens Dental or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about emergency dentistry.