WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please call us at 604-859-8284.
If we have several emergencies occurring at once, we will prioritize emergencies on the basis of:
- Degrees of pain
- Further potential damage incurred
- Whether or not you are an existing patient
Whether you are a patient or not, if you call during office hours, we will do our best to get you in as soon as possible.
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES
After hours emergency service is provided only to current patients who require immediate dental treatment. Some cases that might require immediate treatment include:
- Sudden and persistent onset of extreme tooth pain
- Dental trauma caused by impact to the teeth or gums
Advil/Ibuprofen is also recommended for tooth pain as it is an anti-inflammatory and can be a helpful temporary relief for tooth pain. If the pain subsides, please contact us to schedule a check-up as you may still require further treatment.
CURRENT PATIENTS
Outside of office hours, a recorded message will provide instructions on how to access emergency treatment. If available, you will be connected with one of our dentist, otherwise you will be directed to our on-call network of trusted Abbotsford dentists.
NOT YET A PATIENT
If you are not yet one of our patients, please call our office during regular office hours and we will do our absolute best to get you in as soon as possible. However, if your emergency is occurring outside of office hours and you need immediate assistance, please go to the nearest emergency ward.
If you are still unsure if you require emergency attention, do not hesitate to call us at 604-852-5067 We are here to help.
HOW TO HANDLE AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AT HOME
When you experience trauma to your face in the area of your mouth it is important to act accordingly to avoid long term consequences to your teeth and the supporting tissues. Here is what you should do immediately if you have a dental emergency:
- You want to apply ice to the area to minimize pain and swelling in addition to avoiding the area to allow it to heal
- Keeping the area clean with salt water rinses will help to minimize chances of infection and speed up the healing process as well
TYPES OF DENTAL EMERGENCIES
- The damage to your teeth will range from a chip, exposed nerve, loose tooth or tooth that is knocked out of the socket. Depending on the situation different steps should be taken to help the area heal as quickly as possible
- A chip can be fixed with a filling or crown depending on the size of the breakage. An exposed nerve would require a root canal and crown
- When a tooth experiences trauma it may require a root canal either immediately or in the future because of the damage to the nerves and blood supply to the tooth
- The tooth that has experienced trauma may discolor over time. It may appear more brown or grey in color
- If a tooth is loose or knocked out it may require a splint to protect it during the healing process
You should make an appointment as soon as possible; x-rays and an exam will will allow the dentist to assess the potential damage to the tooth and supporting tissues.