Dental emergencies may occur at any time of the day and any day of the week. Dr. Colospate offers early morning appointments and can be onsite in the evening or over the weekend should an emergency arise. In the case of an emergency, contact emergency dentist Dr. Colospate directly or leave a message with our answering service. Our office is equipped to handle same-day dental emergencies, ensuring timely and efficient care. Call our office at (703) 356-5330 to get started on alleviating your dental emergency today.
Dr. Colospate, emergency dentist in McLean, Virginia has extensive training in all types of restorative and surgical dentistry. A dental emergency can be quickly treated to ensure your comfort and longevity of the tooth/teeth affected. Living in close proximity and working with a fantastic team of area specialists also provides excellent and expedited care to our patients.
Types of Same-Day Emergency Dental Care McLean, VA
We provide all types of emergency dental services in McLean, VA including bonding, crown and bridge repair, implant repair, extractions, gum disease, root canals, and tooth fillings near you. Most importantly, we will treat the problem and ensure that your comfort is met, and any infection is treated. We prioritize same-day treatments for emergencies to minimize discomfort and expedite recovery.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Bitten lip or tongue
Bitten tongues and lips are quite common and vulnerable to injury given their close proximity to teeth when chewing. Wounds in and around the mouth bleed significantly, as the area is rich in blood supply. Swelling, bruising, and potential cuts to the tissue are the most common injuries to the tongue and lip.
To care for a bitten lip or tongue:
- Clean the injured site with mild soapy water.
- Rinse with hydrogen peroxide and water or salt water.
- Apply a cold compress (reducing potential swelling will reduce pain).
- If the bite is too extensive, the site may need to be stitched by a surgeon and antibiotics may be prescribed.
If an infection persists, please contact medical assistance with the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Redness
- Drainage of pus
- The wound site is not healing and/or there is a bad smell at the wound site
Object caught in the teeth
Objects frequently get caught between the teeth. This occurs because of tight spaces between the teeth, potential gum disease, age, misaligned teeth, and ill-fitting crowns, bridges, and fillings. It is good to thoroughly clean your teeth in both the morning and evening, and remove anything caught within the teeth quickly to dissuade potential infection. Commonly, nuts, popcorn shells, and fibrous veggies and meats find themselves wedged between the teeth and may lead to discomfort.
To treat an object caught in the teeth:
- Floss the site where the object is caught; consider doubling and tripling the floss in thickness to increase your surface texture.
- Rinse with warm salt water and/or mouth rinse.
- Brush all tooth surfaces.
- If the object continues to be caught, utilizing a plastic pick carefully may dislodge it.
Please abstain from ever using a metal tool/object to clean between teeth and in the gum. Irreversible damage may occur to the enamel and soft tissue. If the object is not removed, discomfort may continue and increase.
Please contact Dr. Colospate, emergency dentist in McLean to have the site professionally cleaned if the following symptoms persist:
- Discomfort lasting more than 24 hours
- Bleeding to the touch and/or with flossing
- A bad odor coming from the site
- Swelling at the site where the object is caught and/or along the jaw bone
- A fever and/or drainage at the site
Broken, chipped, or fractured tooth
Teeth frequently chip, break, and fracture while playing sports, chewing hard foods, at sites of cavities, and with time and use. Our office assesses your dental health at each visit to watch for potentially weaker teeth containing existing fracture lines, assessing decay early to treat while the repair site is minimal. If your tooth breaks, chips, fractures, or you experience a split tooth, please contact our McLean dental office immediately. It is very important to be cautious with the broken tooth until your dental visit as to reduce additional breakage.
What to do if you’ve broken a tooth:
- Chew on the other side of your mouth
- Avoid hard and sticky foods
- Avoid chewing gum
- Use caution with physical sports until the tooth is fixed
- See our cracked tooth repair guide near the end of this page for even more information.
If you’re facing a dental emergency, finding a dentist nearby who provides emergency services, including same-day dental crowns near you, is essential for prompt relief and treatment.
Knocked-out tooth
If your tooth is knocked out during sports or an accident, place the entire tooth in a cup of milk, pack gauze at the site of the lost tooth to reduce bleeding, and seek medical assistance immediately. In limited cases, a tooth brought immediately into the office, brought in a cup of milk, can be reset into the gum/bone. The knocked out tooth may be bonded to the adjacent teeth depending of the health of the adjacent teeth, the health condition of the existing gum tissue, and the age of the patient. Teeth that are knocked out and reset immediately can have a favorable outcome if treated immediately and the above health factors are favorable. Often, teeth that are lost to accidents and sports will require implant replacement.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
To prevent a dental emergency, Dr. Colospate recommends utilizing sports mouthguards with athletic activities to reduce the potential of biting tongues, lips, and potentially fracturing teeth. Custom mouthguards can be made for you at our McLean dental office.
Fast Emergency Dentist Near You in McLean
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency or need to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call our office at (703) 356-5330 right away! Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with fast and caring support.
Cracked Tooth Repair: A Guide to Restoring Your Dental Health
In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about cracked and chipped tooth repair, the symptoms of a cracked tooth, and how we can help you regain your confidence and comfort.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth?
If you’re wondering about the symptoms of a cracked tooth, it’s important to mention that cracked teeth don’t always cause noticeable symptoms. Some common symptoms of cracked or chipped teeth include:
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- Pain when chewing or biting: This is often intermittent and may come and go.
- Sensitivity to temperature: Experiencing discomfort when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages.
- Swelling of the gum around the affected tooth: This can indicate an infection or irritation.
- Visible cracks or lines on the tooth surface: While not always easy to spot, visible cracks can be a sign of a more serious issue.
Identifying the symptoms of a cracked tooth early can prevent more serious dental issues, along with higher treatment costs.
How to Tell If You Have a Cracked Tooth
Identifying a cracked tooth can sometimes be straightforward, especially if you hear a distinct “crack” when biting down on something hard. However, more often, the signs are subtle and include discomfort when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or pain when you release your bite.
This pain can be sporadic, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact tooth causing the issue. When you chew, the movement can cause the cracked parts of the tooth to shift, irritating the pulp inside. This irritation can lead to sharp pain when you stop chewing and release your bite.
If you don’t address a cracked tooth, the pulp can suffer significant damage, leading to persistent pain even when you’re not eating. Additionally, the pulp may become infected, potentially spreading to the surrounding bone and gums. This situation might require urgent attention from an emergency dentist near you in McLean, VA.
Understanding Cracked and Chipped Teeth
Cracked or chipped teeth are common dental issues that can occur due to various reasons such as trauma, biting on hard objects, or natural wear and tear. A cracked tooth can range from a minor fracture to a severe split that affects the tooth’s structure and function.
Cracks can occur in any of your teeth, but they are most commonly found in the upper front teeth and the molars at the back of your lower jaw. This condition is sometimes referred to as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS) or a fractured tooth. Your teeth have multiple parts, and cracks can develop in any of these areas.
Cracked Tooth Repair Options
At McLean Healthy Smiles, we offer a range of treatment options tailored to the specific type and severity of the tooth crack. Our approach is comprehensive, ensuring that you receive the best care possible.
Dental Bonding
For minor cracks or chips, dental bonding is an effective cosmetic dentistry solution. This involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected area to restore its appearance and function.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is often the best option for more significant cracks. The crown encases the entire tooth, providing strength and protection against further damage. This is a common treatment for fractured cusps and cracked teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
If the crack has extended into the pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy may be necessary to remove the damaged pulp and seal the tooth. This procedure can save the tooth and prevent the need for tooth extraction.
Extraction and Replacement
In cases of a split tooth or a severe vertical root fracture, extraction may be unavoidable. However, we offer several replacement options, including dental implants and dental bridges, to restore your smile and oral function.
Top-Rated Cracked Tooth Repair Near You in McLean, VA
If you’re searching for “chipped tooth repair near me,” look no further than McLean Healthy Smiles. Our team is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expertise to handle all types of dental emergencies, including chipped teeth. Contact us online or call our office at (703) 356-5330 to get started on alleviating your cracked or chip tooth dental emergency today!