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Cromwell Emergency Dentist

Cromwell Emergency Dentist

If you have a dental emergency, we’re ready to help. We will see you today during our regular office hours, even if you’ve never been to our practice before. Our North Haven, Wallingford, and Cromwell locations are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and some Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm. We keep space in our calendar to treat emergency patients.

Emergency Dental Care for Tooth Infections

 

Cromwell Emergency Dentist; an illustration of a cross-section of an infected tooth, showing decay and damaged pulp in the interior and an abscess at the base

Infections are the most common cause of toothache. They occur when decay penetrates the tooth’s enamel and begins to eat through the softer dentin. This lets bacteria grow within the soft pulp of the tooth. To combat the infection, your body will flood the pulp with white blood cells, making it swell. However, the inside of your tooth is a confined space, so when the pulp tissue tries to swell, it will instead strangle itself and die. As the pulp starts to die, it may become very sensitive to temperature or may just be extremely painful.

Once it dies, the pain may subside, but the dead pulp continues to cause infection, which eventually spreads to the jawbone. There it may form an abscess and cause the tooth to be extremely sensitive to biting.

When you come to our office with an infected tooth, it is usually a very simple process to relieve the pain. We may also prescribe antibiotics. Then we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment to complete work on the tooth and make sure the infection doesn’t return.

An infected tooth is best treated with a root canal. A root canal will save your tooth so you don’t need a bridge or implant later. In addition, it’s much less traumatic than the alternative, pulling the tooth.

During the root canal, we’ll remove the infected pulp and protect the tooth with a temporary crown. Later, a permanent crown can restore the appearance and strength of the tooth.

Other Reasons to See an Emergency Dentist

a smiling woman sitting in an emergency dentist's chair giving the thumb's up sign

 

Though an infected tooth is probably the most common dental emergency, we treat all kinds. For example:

  • Teeth that have been knocked out
  • Cracked and chipped teeth
  • Broken or lost crowns and bridges

Are You Anxious at the Dentist’s Office?

If you have an infection, maybe you haven’t been keeping up with your routine dental care. Routine care prevents decay from turning into infections and gum disease. Unfortunately, people who are afraid of the dentist will often put off appointments until they’re in pain and can’t wait anymore. There’s no need for that. We enjoy caring for anxious patients and know how to make them feel comfortable.

For many anxious patients, sedation is the solution. With it, you’ll be so relaxed that you likely won’t remember your dental care. You can choose one of three sedation types: nitrous oxide, oral, and IV. You can read more about our sedation options here.

If you have a dental emergency, please call us at 203-234-3900 to schedule an immediate appointment. You can also fill out this form to have us call you.

 

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