What Is Emergency Oral Surgery?
Tersa Oral and Facial Surgery • May 24, 2023

Dental emergencies can pop up when you least expect them. Persistent pain, discomfort, and swelling can all be signs of a dental emergency. It's important to have any concerning dental issues evaluated as soon as possible. Putting off dental care can lead to more serious issues down the road. If you're wondering what's considered a dental emergency, we have the answers! Here's a guide to dental emergencies and emergency oral surgery.


What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency can happen to anyone. They are common, but not every dental issue is an emergency. 


To help you understand a true dental emergency, as yourself the following:


  • Are you in a lot of pain? Severe pain is a sign of an emergency.
  • Have you lost a tooth? Quick emergency treatment can save a tooth.
  • Do you have a loose tooth or teeth? Adults should not lose teeth.
  • Do you have signs of an infection? Infection is an emergency.
  • Are you bleeding from the gums or mouth? Bleeding can be serious.


Any dental issue that requires treatment to alleviate severe pain, stop bleeding, or save your teeth is a dental emergency. An infection in your mouth can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you're experiencing a dental emergency, contact an oral surgeon in Lutz, FL.


Severe Toothache

Toothaches aren't just a nuisance. They shouldn't be ignored or taken lightly. Pain is how your body tells you something is wrong. If you're experiencing severe toothache pain or persistent discomfort, find a qualified emergency dentist as soon as possible. Sudden, unexplainable tooth pain is an emergency. 


Swollen or Bleeding Gums 

If your mouth or jaw suddenly looks swollen for no apparent reason, it's time to see the dentist. You could have irritated lymph nodes, an infection, or some other dental issue that needs to be addressed right away. If you're experiencing persistent bleeding from the mouth or gums, this can also be a sign of a serious dental issue. 


Exposed Nerves

An exposed nerve can cause extreme pain. The problem will continue to get worse unless you see a dentist. To prevent further damage, infection, or more extensive oral surgery, seek dental care as soon as possible.


Abscessed Tooth

A dental abscess is a painful and potentially life-threatening situation that occurs when a pocket of pus causes an infection in the tooth. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth include:


  • Fever
  • Persistent toothache
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold
  • Facial swelling
  • A pimple-like bump near the infected tooth


An abscessed tooth is an emergency. Contact an oral surgeon in Lutz, FL for emergency dentistry services.


Knocked-Out Tooth

It can be quite a shock to have a tooth knocked out suddenly. If this happens, it's important to take action right away. 

It is sometimes possible to reinsert and preserve a tooth. This requires quick action and an oral surgery procedure.

Before seeing the dentist, remember to:


  • Pick the tooth up by the top without touching the root
  • Rinse it off without scrubbing
  • Reinsert the tooth if possible
  • If you can't reinsert the tooth, place it in milk
  • See an emergency dentist right away 


Broken Crown

A broken or missing crown can leave your teeth vulnerable to damage and infection. This isn't a dental issue you should put off. Schedule an emergency dental visit to have your crown replaced. Taking care of a missing or broken crown right away can help you avoid a root canal, extraction, or other oral surgery.


Missing Filling

You may think a missing filling isn't a big deal. However, without a filling, your tooth can break or chip easily.

This issue can also lead to exposed nerves, which need immediate treatment. If you're missing a filling, contact a dentist right away.


Emergency Oral Surgery

If you're having an oral health emergency, it's important to seek emergency dental care right away. No one wants to get an emergency oral surgery procedure, but sometimes it's a necessity for your health and well-being. Expert emergency dental care offers many benefits.


Save Your Teeth

Tooth extraction is sometimes necessary. However, this is a last resort in dental care. Missing teeth can lead to gaps, bone loss, a sagging jaw, and other issues. Getting dental care right away can often eliminate the need for extractions.


Eliminate Discomfort

Waking up with a severe toothache is no laughing matter. It's miserable and can quickly alter your plans and ruin your day. Prompt dental care can help you solve your dental issues and eliminate discomfort.


Avoid More Dental Problems

Untreated dental problems only make matters worse. A toothache, abscess, or infection will only get worse without proper dental care. Seeing an emergency dentist can help you take care of any dental issues you have and keep those problems from getting worse.


Treatments for Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies vary. The type of treatment you need depends on the situation. Some examples of emergency oral surgery include:


  • Root canals
  • Extractions
  • Dental fillings
  • Antibiotic treatment
  • Irrigation
  • Splinting
  • Reimplantation


Find the Best Oral Surgeon in Lutz, FL

Suffering from a toothache, swelling, or bleeding isn't something you should just put up with. When these dental issues arise, you need an oral surgeon in Lutz, FL who will offer the best possible care.


If you're experiencing any dental issues, don't wait. Get the care you need right away to feel better.


At TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery, our goal is to offer our patients the very best care, attention, and professionalism. We love our patients and treat them like family. We would love to meet you and discuss your dental needs. Contact TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery today to schedule an appointment.

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Dental Implant Options Offered by TERSA There are several different types of dental implants that TERSA offers to our clients, all of which provide different benefits, including: Treating traumatic dental injuries Offering All-on-4 full-arch implants Using guided surgery with computerized scans Individual dental implants Single-tooth implants are ideal for individuals who have only a single missing tooth, provided all adjacent natural teeth are still healthy. This means that we can focus purely on the single area and also try to recreate the bone's interaction with its previous tooth as much as possible. Through mimicking the root with the implant itself, you also preserve the jaw's density . These need minimal preparation compared to many other processes. However, if you have more than one or two teeth that need replacement in this way, it may be wise to explore alternatives . Why the Dentist Needs to Assess Suitability Dr. Guerra has gained a great deal of knowledge over his 15 years of education , as he discussed with Laker/Lutz News, which he applies to every patient, ensuring that you receive the highest-quality care possible. For example, he will start by imaging the area where the implant will be placed, as well as assessing local nerves and sinus cavities to ensure that the implant will not interfere with them. By reviewing your medical history, he can also discuss various risk factors with you that may impact bone healing, such as diabetes or a history of smoking, helping you avoid complications . The doctor also has a keen understanding of the mechanics of an implant. He will want to ensure that your implant can withstand functional forces, such as chewing, without overloading the surrounding tooth and jaw. This means he has the experience to discuss the issue with you in great detail . Preparing Yourself for Surgery After consultation, and if you choose to go under IV-sedation, be aware that your surgery will require you to not eat for around six hours before the surgery, and not drink anything for two hours before. If the dentist has any specific other requirements or recommends a different amount of time, he will inform you. The dentist may also request that you take other steps , such as: Using a mouth rinse beforehand to reduce mouth bacteria Scheduling your work so that you only have light duties for up to 72 hours after the surgery Arranging a driver to take you home or ensure you can travel for a day after surgery Ensure you have already collected any necessary medication Step-By-Step Dental Implant Procedure During the surgery, the dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure that the area is numb and unable to feel the effects of the surgery. However, they may also offer you sedation to ensure your comfort . After you are appropriately prepared, they will make a careful incision to expose an area of your gums and jawbone, then carefully create a space in which to insert a small titanium implant . After the implant is in place, they will suture the space closed, allowing the gum to heal and the jaw to start accepting the titanium post. Once the surgery is completed, you will need to wait up to three or four months for your jaw to adapt to the existence of the post. It will undergo a period of "osseointegration", in which your body will start building natural structures around it and your bone fuses with it, preventing the implant from moving. Healing Timeline for Working Floridians While every individual is different, you should expect the timeline to look something like this: Day 1: Apply an ice pack to your jaw after surgery, and expect mild swelling. You may also experience discomfort, so be sure to have painkillers available. Avoid solid food if possible, and be cautious if not. End of week 1: At this point, you can switch to softer foods, such as yogurts and smoothies, or you can try to chew foods carefully, so long as you keep them on the non-surgery side of your mouth. End of month 1: Attend a check-up for your implant so that the dentist can ensure your body is accepting it. End of month 3: You should return to the dentist for the installation of a custom crown around this time. They will ensure that the shape and color of the implant matches the rest of your mouth, which ensures that the implant is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The process may take more than one appointment, as the dentist must scan your gums and jaw following the surgery to ensure they get the shape of the crown correct. The dentist may request another check-up after one year, to ensure that everything is as it should be. Key Benefits of Dental Implants Dental implants are an excellent option for individuals concerned about their jawbone starting to lose volume. The additional load placed on the area due to eating and other activities will prevent atrophy, which is usually seen with missing teeth. An implant also acts just as your previous tooth did, ensuring that you can continue to chew with complete efficiency. It is also very common for them to survive for a significant period, with many lasting beyond the 25-year mark and into the remainder of someone's life. All-on-4 at TERSA One could think of the "All-on-4" as a "Denture implant". It is designed for patients with several failing or missing teeth, who would otherwise order a set of dentures but are worried about the upkeep and appearance of removable dental arches. Unlike a single implant, the All-on-4 system uses four angled implants that securely hold a large denture in place. These implants can even be used to hold a temporary denture between implant installation and the creation of the final arch. 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Additional Steps For All-On-4 Surgery Although the majority of the surgery is similar to four individual implants as described above, there are distinct differences: The dentist may remove other teeth to make way for the denture All implants will sit at different angles for more stability Postoperative scans will verify the alignment of the implants Advantages of All-On-4 Surgery As opposed to getting all of your teeth replaced, an All-on-4 implant will require you to have only four implants on which the denture sits. Fewer incisions and a reduced time taken mean that you can get a greater benefit more easily. The complete denture will also look perfectly natural, sitting comfortably in your mouth and secured by four posts that are angled to prevent slipping and reduce stress on each one. This option is ideal for individuals with slightly lower bone density who are still eligible for surgery. If you need a future upgrade throughout your life , such as a change in the material, you can also follow through with implant changes without as much hassle. The removal of old materials and replacement with new ones takes significantly less time, providing you with more options. Choosing Single-Tooth or All-on-4 Implants Whether you want to make use of a full arch or a single new tooth, Dr. Andrés Guerra of TERSA Oral and Facial Surgery is ready to bring his expertise to bear. In a procedure that demands precision, empathy, and in-depth knowledge, he will do everything necessary to ensure your comfort and confidence in the process.  We are ready to discuss your dental implant options and schedule a consultation for you . Reclaim your smile and ensure you are happy with the person you see in the mirror today.