What Warrants a Dental Emergency?

Now that you learned the common causes of an emergency extraction, it’s also important to know when to see an emergency dentist. Not only is recognizing a dental emergency crucial to getting timely care, but it also helps prevent further complications. 

Here are some signs and situations to watch out for:

• Persistent Pain: Severe or constant toothache that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relief could signal an infection or damage that requires urgent care. Pain that also worsens when biting down, eating hot or cold foods, or lying down may point to an infection or damage.
• Bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding that continues for more than 15 minutes despite applying pressure with gauze or a clean cloth.
• Swelling: Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw accompanied by fever, difficulty swallowing, or breathing warrants may indicate an abscess or infection that can spread if not treated promptly. 
• Infections or Trauma: Sudden injuries, such as knocked-out, cracked, or fractured teeth, demand immediate attention to improve the chances of saving the tooth.

Types of Emergency Tooth Extractions

 There are two primary types of emergency extractions patients might expect: simple and surgical extractions. These decisions on which type of extraction to carry out is based on the patient’s tooth condition and its accessibility.

Simple extraction is a relatively straightforward option performed on teeth that are fully visible and accessible above the gum line. It only requires the use of local anesthesia and typical extraction tools such as forceps and elevators to loosen the teeth.

Surgical extraction, on the other hand, is more complex and is required for teeth that are not easily accessible, such as impacted or broken teeth beneath the gum line. This procedure often involves incisions and advanced techniques and is performed by an oral surgeon.

Can a Dentist Refuse to Extract a Tooth During an Emergency?

In some cases, the tooth may need to be sectioned into smaller pieces for removal. Along with local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia may be used depending on the complexity of the procedure.
The dentist’s role is to provide immediate relief during dental emergencies, with a primary focus on the patient’s safety and long-term health. If an extraction is deemed unsafe or inappropriate, a dentist can refuse to extract the tooth and recommend alternative treatments or referrals to ensure proper care. Typical reasons why dentists would refuse extraction even in an emergency include:

• Medical risks – if the patient has underlying conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes, bleeding disorders, or heart problems.
• Lack of patient consent – if the patient refuses to provide consent upon learning the risks and benefits of tooth extraction, the dentist has the ethical obligation to follow the patient’s decision.
• Inadequate diagnosis – proceeding with the tooth extraction without a clear understanding of the dental issue poses a greater risk. If diagnostic tools, such as X-rays, reveal complications like severe infection or proximity to critical structures (e.g., nerves or sinuses), they may delay extraction until proper precautions are in place.
• Infection or Swelling: In cases of extreme swelling or infection, such as an abscess, immediate extraction may not be safe. The dentist might prescribe antibiotics to reduce the infection before performing the procedure.