I need some advice. I am out-of-town on business. My tooth has been hurting on and off for three weeks. This week, the pain became constant, and my cheek is a bit swollen. I will be on this assignment for two more weeks. And yes, I know that I should have taken care of this before I left home. Is this something that can wait, or do I need to find a dentist here who will take me on an emergency? Thanks for your answer. – Jason from Chicago
Jason,
Based on your description, it’s likely that you have an infection in your tooth that has spread and created an abscess.
It’s best to find an emergency dentist to treat the infection. You have two more weeks on your out-of-town assignment, during which an untreated infection will continue to spread and cause more problems.
Treating a Tooth Abscess
The dentist will give you an antibiotic to treat the abscess. Root canal treatment will clear the infection from the pulp of the tooth. That may be all that is necessary if the tooth is otherwise in good condition. If the tooth is cracked or damaged, a dentist may need to remove it.
Although many people get anxious about root canal treatment, the procedure is painless.
- A dentist will numb your gums before injecting a local anesthetic.
- After making an opening in the crown of your tooth, the dentist will clean out the infection deep into the roots.
- After treatment, the dentist will cover your tooth with a temporary crown.
If You Need an Extraction
If an extraction is necessary, find an experienced cosmetic dentist to replace the tooth with a dental bridge or a dental implant when you return home. The restoration will look completely natural. In either case, you can ask each dentist about their payment options, including payment plans or financing.
Ryan Perry, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.