Emergency Dentistry in Tampa, FL

We all wish for continuous good health, but life doesn’t always follow that path. When unexpected dental issues arise that cause severe damage, bleeding, or complications, you may need an emergency dentistry procedure.

Our Tampa Bay Mini Dental Implant Solutions team understands that urgency and expertise are required in such situations. We provide compassionate solutions that address your dental needs promptly, ensuring a swift and effective resolution.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

According to the American Dental Association, a dental emergency is “a diagnosis requiring immediate treatment to stop bleeding, remedy an infection, and alleviate severe pain.” This can encompass anything from a knocked-out tooth to potentially life-threatening infections. Some signs that emergency dentistry might be needed are:

Sudden and persistent oral pain
Severe swelling of the face or jaw
Constant or uncontrollable bleeding
Broken teeth
Knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
Painful, red, or bleeding gums
Injury to tongue, lips, gums, or cheeks

To determine if your symptoms require emergency dentistry, the most effective approach is to contact our office right away. Dr. Cabrera can assess your situation through an examination or a phone conversation, guiding you on the best course of action. We prioritize emergency dentistry cases and have an on-call doctor available for after-hours emergencies. Call our office, and we’ll make every effort to ensure you receive prompt and comprehensive care.

If our office is closed and you believe your situation could be life-threatening, please visit the nearest emergency department. While emergency rooms do not generally have dentists on staff, the doctors can help ease your symptoms and mitigate pain until you can see Dr. Cabrera.

What Is Not Considered a Dental Emergency?

While every dental issue, large or small, should be evaluated by a dentist, not every situation falls under the category of emergency dentistry. If you’re experiencing any of the following non-urgent symptoms, you should still schedule an appointment at Tampa Bay Mini Dental Implant Solutions. Left untreated, these issues can create more serious problems.

Mild or dull toothache
A small chip or crack
Loose filling, crown, or bridge
Broken braces
Food stuck between teeth

While these symptoms do not require after-hours or emergency attention, you should still contact our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment within regular business hours. When in doubt, give us a call.

What to Do When Suffering From a Dental Issue

Emergency Dentistry in Tampa, FL The best thing to do after experiencing a dental injury or other severe dental issue is to seek immediate dental care from a trained professional like Dr. Cabrera. If you must wait before treating your problem, here are some self-care measures you can take before seeing a dentist.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Every year in the US, injuries or accidents cause over five million teeth to be knocked out. If this happens to you, taking proper emergency action can save your tooth and allow it to be replanted by a professional.

Pick up the tooth by the chewing side (the crown), not the root. The roots are sensitive and need to be preserved.
If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with water. Do not use soap, scrub the tooth, or wrap it in a tissue or towel.
If possible, reinsert the tooth in the socket. If you feel comfortable, try to replace the tooth immediately. Hold the tooth’s crown, and either lightly push the tooth into the socket using your fingers or position it and gently close your mouth. Do not force it into the socket. Secure the tooth by lightly biting down or pressing the crown with your finger.
Keep it moist at all times. If you can’t replace the tooth in your mouth, put it in milk (or salt water if milk is unavailable), hold it in your cheek, or use an emergency tooth preservation kit such as Save-a-Tooth®. Do not put the tooth in water, as the cells of the tooth root cannot tolerate tap water for extended lengths.
See a dentist within 30 minutes. It’s ideal to see a professional quickly, but a tooth that has been outside the mouth for an hour can still be reattached. However, the longer the tooth remains dislodged, the lower the likelihood of successful restoration.

Severe Toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Floss to remove any food lodged between your teeth. If swelling occurs, use an ice pack or cold compress on the outside of your mouth or cheek. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can also help.

Broken or Badly Cracked Tooth

Save any broken tooth pieces and rinse them with water if dirty. You should also rinse out your mouth with warm water. Apply a piece of gauze to stop any bleeding. Use a cold compress for any pain or swelling, and contact us as soon as possible. A skilled dentist like Dr. Cabrera can often reconstruct broken teeth.

Lost or Broken Dental Restoration

Older restorations may fall out or become dislodged over time. If you have a broken or missing filling, a piece of sugar-free gum or over-the-counter dental cement can fill the cavity until you can see Dr. Cabrera. Should a crown or bridge break or come loose, try to put the restoration back into place with dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive. DO NOT use super glue! Be sure to bring the restoration with you to your appointment.

What Are Common Emergency Dentistry Services?

At Tampa Bay Mini Dental Implant Solutions, we’re proud to offer several emergency dentistry services to address nearly any issue that walks through our doors.

Tooth reattachments: Immediate intervention can fix teeth that have been knocked out or dislodged. Rapid response from both the patient (see instructions above) and Dr. Cabrera can save the original tooth instead of replacing it.
Tooth extractions: When a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond saving, a tooth extraction becomes the best course of action. Dr. Cabrera can perform an extraction with minimal discomfort and offer various restoration options for tooth replacement.
Root canal therapy: An infected tooth isn’t just painful—if left untreated, the infection can spread. A root canal can remove the infection to alleviate pain and restore the tooth’s function.
Dental restorations: Missing or damaged teeth that are not addressed can lead to future difficulties and complications. We offer restorations such as dental crowns, bridges, and dentures to replace teeth. For enhanced support and stability, we can use mini dental implants to anchor your restoration. For example, we can secure a full arch of replacement teeth to mini implants with implant dentures.
Emergency repairs: Dental emergencies don’t work around your busy schedule. We provide swift repairs for broken prosthetics, ensuring minimal disruption to your life.

Emergency Dentistry Costs

During a dental emergency, the last thing you want is to be concerned about costs. Remember that in dental emergencies, prompt care ensures the best outcomes. Neglecting the issue may worsen the problem, requiring a more expensive procedure in the future.

At Tampa Bay Mini Dental Implant Solutions, we truly care about your oral health. That’s why we make sure that affordable dental care is available to everyone. Our team will help you maximize your insurance coverage and explain additional financing options if needed. By collaborating with multiple lending companies, we help you get the best rates possible for your treatment. So, don’t let financial stress keep you from a necessary and urgent procedure.

Contact Us If You Need Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can be stressful, both physically and emotionally. Dr. Cabrera and her experienced team of experienced will not only ensure prompt treatment but also provide the highest level of comfort and care from beginning to end.

If you need dental care right away, don’t hesitate. Call us immediately to determine the best way forward. We’re here to assist you through unexpected dental issues, ensuring you emerge with a restored sense of relief.