When we receive a phone call from someone in pain, we arrange to see them ASAP.
Whether the patient was referred to our office, found us through social media, or is a current patient makes no difference. Our goal is to get them to our office and alleviate the pain. We feel that this is part of our responsibility as dental professionals.
Once the patient explains the problem and has completed their medical history, we usually take an X-ray to assess the source of the pain so we can identify the problem and the proper solution.
The health of the mouth is a priority for Dr. Slepchik. After an initial examination and diagnosis by Dr. Slepchik, we explain the dental options and costs to our patient.
Ultimately, our goal and responsibility is to get the patient out of pain and then explain the necessary follow-up care.
We are located in Downtown Montreal, next to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel across from Place Ville Marie.
"Another great experience. Had an emergency they were able to see me immediately and fix my tooth with great care and precision."
What Constitutes A Dental Emergency?
Our teeth are strong, but they aren't indestructible. We consider a phone call to be a "dental emergency" if a tooth is smashed in an accident, if one side of your face is swollen, etc. Other issues, such as tooth sensitivity, probably aren't an emergency, but they may feel like an emergency to you.
Not many people prioritize seeing the dentist. However, it's vital that you don't ignore dental issues, as that can make dealing with them in the future difficult.
Some things, such as a knocked-out or a broken tooth, are obvious dental emergencies. We need to see you and get that tooth back in place to have the best chance of saving it. Others aren't obvious.
If you wonder whether your dental problem that just occurred is an emergency situation or not, call our office, and let's talk. Then, you'll get an idea of the next step, whether it means you need to come in and see Dr. Slepchik immediately or if it can wait until the next day.
What Happens If I Need Emergency Dental Care After Practice Hours?
If you have a dental emergency that occurs after our regular business hours, that's not a problem because we provide on-call service for after-hours emergencies.
You simply need to call our main line, , and you'll be able to reach our on-call service.
Everyone knows that emergencies of all sorts usually happen at the worst times. But that shouldn't mean you can't get the quality dental care that can allow you to maintain your dental health.
How Can I Avoid A Dental Emergency?
Accidents happen, but some accidents involving your teeth can be prevented by wearing protective gear. You probably watch many hockey games with the Canadiens, and you see NHL players don’t wear full shields or grills on their hockey helmets. In your recreational hockey league, it’s better for you to wear complete facial coverage to block those pucks and stray sticks.
The same is true for other sports and mouthguards. Mouth guards don’t just prevent or lessen concussions; they also protect your teeth.
Broken teeth and chipped teeth often result from some questionable uses of your teeth. Opening bottles with your molars, chewing ice, and other habits are not great ideas; eventually, you’ll crack or break a tooth. If nothing else, you’ll weaken your teeth for the future.
What Are Some Common Dental Emergencies And What Should I Do If They Happen To Me?
As mentioned above, there isn’t a list of things that constitute a dental emergency. However, we want to help our patients understand how to handle certain situations that can arise. Plus, it’s essential to know whether they require immediate attention. Here are some possible dental emergencies:
Knocked Out Teeth
If you are playing hockey and the puck jumps off a stick and whacks you in the mouth, knocking out two teeth, this is an emergency. The good news is that knocked-out teeth can usually be saved if the ligament can be kept alive.
The first thing to do is to retrieve the knocked-out tooth or teeth and handle it gently. When a tooth is knocked out, the ligament attached is destroyed. The tooth needs all the tiny nerve fibers to remain attached to survive. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the part above the gumline ). Don't touch the root. Rinse it off with water. Don't shrub it clean or remove any attached tissue fragments — they can help save the tooth. Please try to put the tooth back in place. If it won't stay in place, put the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums. This can also sound odd, but the saliva will help keep the tooth alive. Store the tooth in cold, whole milk if that's not possible.
Contact us immediately, as there is a much better chance of saving the tooth if we can see you within the first few hours after it was dislodged.
Chipped Or Broken Teeth
A broken tooth also constitutes a dental emergency. A deep crack or large chip exposes the tooth's interior, along with its nerves and blood vessels, and creates serious pain. Sudden pain when eating, especially if the food is either hot or cold, is a sign you've cracked a tooth and the nerves are telling you about it. This is a genuine dental emergency, and we need to see you immediately to avoid exposing the tooth's interior to possible infection.
If your tooth breaks in half, this is also an emergency. The tooth's pulp is now exposed and open to bacteria and infection. If infection enters the broken tooth, it will need a root canal or possible extraction if left unattended. Find the piece or pieces of the fractured tooth. Rinse the tooth pieces and your mouth with warm water.
You'll probably have some bleeding, so take a piece of gauze, place it over the spot, and gently bite down to create some pressure to stop the bleeding. A cold compress applied to the cheek will help with pain and swelling.
Broken teeth cannot be put back together. However, if possible, we still want to see the tooth piece or pieces. If the chipped area isn't that large, we may be able to place a filling or apply dental bonding. A porcelain veneer can mask a chip. Placing a crown over the tooth is more likely for more extensive fractures.
Detached Crowns And Fillings
If a filling comes out or a crown comes off, these do not usually constitute a dental emergency. We need to see you during the next day's business hours. Both of these possibilities were likely due to decay. With crowns, decay can form under the crown on the natural tooth. With fillings, decay can develop between the old filling and the tooth.
Where your filling was will now be open to bacteria, so it's good to try to cover the hole. You can place a piece of sugarless gum into the tooth. Do not use regular gum, as the sugar will cause pain. You can also fill the hole with dental cement found in the pharmacy's dental section. If there is any pain, apply clove oil with a cotton swab to the area with the missing filling.
If a crown comes loose or falls off, find the crown and clean the inside. You can place it back onto the tooth, if possible. This will protect what remains of the natural tooth. Place dental cement inside the crown and put it back on the tooth. If you can't find dental cement, denture adhesive can be used. Do not put Super Glue or other household glue on it. These are not meant to be in your mouth; they can damage both the tooth and the crown.
When we see you, Dr. Slepchik will remove the new decay and place a new filling. If the tooth with the crown has new decay, we'll remove that and prepare the tooth for the crown again. Your original crown will need to be adjusted.
Toothaches
Toothaches arrive suddenly and are very painful. You may be unable to sleep or concentrate at work. If the pain is severe and doesn’t pass, this would be considered a dental emergency. You may have an abscess or a tooth that needs a root canal.
Make sure your mouth is clean by rinsing with warm water and floss to remove food lodged between your teeth. Be careful not to get over-the-counter gel on your gums. If the toothache lasts over a day or two, call us.
Sensitivity
Hot and cold sensitivity isn’t usually an emergency but can be a sign that the nerves are being irritated. Hot sensitivity with throbbing and a sensation that goes back to the ear are more serious and need immediate attention. Facial swelling is also urgent, as it usually denotes a possible infection and the need for antibiotics.
Objects Lodged Between Teeth
With small pieces of food, such as popcorn hulls, try using dental floss and the tip of your toothbrush to dislodge it. You can’t leave pieces of food under the gums, as this will lead to gum irritation and possible infection. A toothpick can also be used to gently move under the gum line and get rid of it. Be careful not to push it deeper.
Do not use a pin, knife tip, or other sharp or metal object. These can damage your gums and the enamel on your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object, call us.
Contact Us Today
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, don't hesitate to contact us right away at {tel}. We are here to help you! You will find us in downtown Montreal.