Emergency Dentistry in South Ripley
What is considered a dental emergency?
Common dental emergencies we cater include:
- Abscesses or facial swelling
- Sports-related dental injuries such as knocked out teeth (trauma)
- Broken braces, wires, dentures, or appliances
- Sudden, intense tooth sensitivity
- Lost fillings or crowns
It is important to understand that most dental issues will not resolve on their own. These should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid them from developing further into more serious complications, especially when dealing with trauma, pain, swelling, and bleeding. Seek proper care from our dentist in South Ripley to ensure your discomfort is managed and dealt with as quickly as possible.
What To Do in a Dental Emergency
Bumps and bruises
A cold compress on the cheek can help numb the pain while you’re on your way to see us.
Toothache
Rinse with warm water and determine where it hurts. This will help us find the cause and fix it for you. Take Panadol or Nurofen if needed to manage pain.
Chipped or broken teeth
Find any broken fragments and bring them in a clean container. Rinse the mouth with warm water to clear any debris.
Knocked out teeth
Gently place it back in its socket or a cup of milk to keep it moist. Don’t scrub it - we’ll take it from there. Keep any fragments, and avoid hard foods.
Lost or loose fillings
If a filling has come out, keep the area clean. Sensitivity to air or cold might be felt, but this is normal. If it feels sharp, you can gently put some orthodontic wax on the area until we can professionally restore it.
Emergency Dental Vouchers Accepted
Eligible concession card holders with a valid West Moreton Health emergency dental voucher may be eligible for FREE emergency dental treatment at Lily Family Dental.
Visit the West Moreton Health website to learn more about eligibility and how to obtain a voucher.
Saving Smiles
Root Canal Therapy
When there is a toothache, inflammation, or infection present, our first priority is saving your natural tooth and alleviating the discomfort.
It can cause inflammation and swelling of the internal tooth tissues within the canal and pulp chamber of the tooth leading to a toothache. With root canal therapy, our dentists will address the discomfort and using special techniques to remove the source of the pain while allowing you to keep your tooth for chewing, maintaining speech and your smile.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Inside each tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves, connective tissue, and blood supply. When this becomes infected, it can cause severe pain, sensitivity, and inflammation.
Root Canal Therapy, or endodontic treatment, refers to the procedure of removing damaged tissue from the internal root canal space of the tooth. This aims to relieve symptoms and preserve the natural tooth and jaw structure as much as possible.
Do I actually need it?
Here are common symptoms that indicate the need for immediate assessment:
- Persistent toothache
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
- Pain when chewing
- Darkening or discolouration of the tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gums or a bad taste, indicating infection drainage.
Sometimes, infected teeth are “silent” and have no symptoms – these are only visible via digital X-ray. During your consultation, we use high-definition imaging to determine if the internal “pulp” of your tooth is compromised and if there is infection around the root of the tooth and whether root canal therapy is the best treatment option for you.
You might need root canal therapy if you have:
- Deep decay to the tooth’s nerves
- Dental abscess (infection at the root)
- Severe tooth trauma and fracture exposing the pulp
If you are experiencing swelling, fever, or rapidly increasing pain, contact us immediately.
Managing your Emergency Dental Care Journey
Following Through
Aftercare and Further Preventions
While the emergency care solves your problem immediately, long-term comfort requires constant prevention and follow-up consultations on your dental health.
We would recommend you to book a review appointment with dental check-up and cleaning to determine healing progress, gum health, and restorative treatment as necessary. Some emergency cases need dental crowns restored or dental implants placed, depending on the severity. We can even help you establish a home care plan to avoid recurrence of any dental emergencies.
Why Choose Lily Family Dental?
Important Information
The information on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional clinical advice, a formal diagnosis, or personalised treatment planning. All dental treatment carries potential risks and may not be suitable for every patient. A consultation with an Australian-registered dentist is required to assess your oral health and determine the most appropriate treatment options for your individual needs. Treatment outcomes and healing times can vary from person to person. At Lily Family Dental, we provide general dental care and a range of services across different areas of dentistry. Learn more about treatment risks here.