Emergency Dental in Boise, ID
When dental emergencies strike, quick action and expert care are crucial. At Prevention Dental, our expert emergency dentist in Boise, Dr. Glen Stephenson, provides comprehensive emergency dental services to address urgent oral health issues promptly and effectively. We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and painful, which is why we offer same-day appointments and extended hours to ensure you receive the care you need when you need it most.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies can encompass a wide range of issues, from sudden and severe pain to traumatic injuries. Some common dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache or dental pain
- Knocked-out (avulsed) teeth
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Lost or damaged dental restorations (fillings, crowns, bridges)
- Soft tissue injuries (cuts or lacerations to the gums, tongue, or cheeks)
- Dental abscess or swelling
- Objects caught between teeth
- A broken jaw or facial injuries
If you’re experiencing any of these issues or are unsure whether your situation qualifies as an emergency, don’t hesitate to contact Prevention Dental. Our experienced team will assess your condition and provide guidance on the best course of action.
Emergency Dental Care for Children
At Prevention Dental, we recognize that children are particularly prone to dental emergencies due to their active lifestyles. Dr. Glen Stephenson specializes in pediatric emergency dentistry, ensuring that your child receives gentle, compassionate care during stressful situations.
If your child experiences a dental emergency:
- Stay calm and assess the situation.
- Check for any loss of consciousness, which may indicate a more serious head injury requiring immediate medical attention.
- Control bleeding with a clean washcloth or gauze.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Examine the mouth for broken or missing teeth.
Handling Specific Dental Emergencies
Knocked-Out Permanent Teeth
Time is critical when dealing with a knocked-out permanent tooth. Follow these steps:
- Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root.
- Gently rinse the tooth with cold water to remove dirt, but don’t scrub the root.
- Try to reinsert the tooth into its socket.
- If reinsertion isn’t possible, place the tooth in cold milk or water.
- See Dr. Stephenson immediately – ideally within 30 minutes of the incident for the best chance of saving the tooth.
Fractured Teeth
The treatment for fractured teeth depends on the severity of the fracture:
- Superficial fractures: We can often restore these with cosmetic bonding.
- Fractures extending to the pulp: A baby root canal treatment or coronal pulpotomy may be necessary for primary teeth. For permanent teeth, a root canal may be required.
- Fractures below the gum line: We may need to extract the tooth and place a spacer to maintain proper spacing for future permanent teeth.
Knocked-Out Primary (Baby) Teeth
We don’t reimplant primary teeth. Instead:
- Bring your child to Prevention Dental for an X-ray to ensure the entire tooth is out.
- We’ll prescribe pain medication if necessary and allow the area to heal.
- We may recommend a space maintainer to preserve the space for the permanent tooth.
Why Choose Prevention Dental for Emergency Dentistry in Boise?
When you’re facing a dental emergency, you need a dentist you can trust. Here’s why patients choose Dr. Glen Stephenson and Prevention Dental for their urgent dental care needs:
- Experienced Emergency Dentist: Dr. Stephenson has extensive experience handling a wide range of dental emergencies for both children and adults.
- Same-Day Appointments: We prioritize emergency cases and offer same-day appointments to promptly address your urgent dental needs.
- Extended Hours: We understand that emergencies don’t always happen during regular business hours. That’s why we offer extended hours to accommodate urgent cases.
Additional Benefits
- State-of-the-Art Technology: Our office is equipped with the latest dental technology, allowing for quick and accurate diagnoses and treatments.
- Comfortable Environment: We strive to create a calming atmosphere to help reduce anxiety during stressful emergencies.
- Comprehensive Care: From simple repairs to complex reconstructions, we provide a full range of emergency dental services under one roof.
- Follow-Up Care: We don’t just treat the immediate problem – we also provide thorough follow-up care to ensure optimal healing and prevent future issues.
Emergency Dental Services at Prevention Dental
As your trusted emergency dentist in Boise, Dr. Glen Stephenson offers a comprehensive range of emergency dental services, including:
Pain Management:
We quickly diagnose the source of your pain and provide immediate relief through appropriate treatments.
Tooth Extractions:
When we can’t save a tooth, we perform gentle extractions to prevent further complications.
Root Canal Therapy:
For severe infections or damage to the tooth’s inner pulp, we offer root canal treatments to save the tooth and alleviate pain.
Treatment of Dental Abscesses:
We drain and treat dental abscesses to eliminate infection and prevent its spread.
Repair of Fractured or Chipped Teeth:
We restore the integrity of damaged teeth using advanced bonding techniques or dental crowns.
Reimplantation of Knocked-Out Teeth:
We work quickly to save and reinsert knocked-out permanent teeth when possible.
Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries:
We provide care for cuts, lacerations, or other injuries to the gums, tongue, or cheeks.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While we’re always here to help in emergencies, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of dental emergencies:
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or high-impact activities.
- Avoid chewing on hard objects like ice, popcorn kernels, or candies.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
- Maintain good oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing.
- Visit Prevention Dental for regular check-ups and cleanings to catch potential issues early.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
If you experience a dental emergency:
- Call Prevention Dental immediately at 208-306-4115.
- Explain your situation to our staff, who will provide initial guidance and schedule you for the earliest possible appointment.
- Follow any first-aid instructions provided over the phone.
- Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze if bleeding is involved.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling.
- If you’ve knocked out a tooth, follow the steps outlined earlier on this page.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed, but avoid aspirin as it can increase bleeding.
Remember, some dental emergencies can be life-threatening. If you experience severe swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or if you’ve suffered a jaw fracture or heavy bleeding that won’t stop, go to the emergency room immediately.
Your Partner in Dental Health – Emergency or Otherwise
At Prevention Dental in Boise, we’re not just here for emergencies. Dr. Glen Stephenson and our team are committed to providing comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages in Boise. From preventive care to cosmetic treatments and restorative procedures, we offer a full range of dental services to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Top Emergency Dentist in Boise, ID
Don’t let dental emergencies catch you off guard. Save our contact information in your phone and keep it handy. Remember, quick action can often mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency in Boise, don’t wait – contact Prevention Dental now. Dr. Glen Stephenson and our expert team are ready to provide the urgent care you need to protect your oral health and relieve pain. Your smile is our priority in emergencies.