Do I need an emergency dentist?

Dental emergencies don’t keep regular office hours: they can happen at any time of the day or night, and you will want to see a dentist as soon as possible. At Harley Street Dental Clinic we appreciate the urgency of a dental emergency and understand how traumatic it can be. We are open six days a week, and have an emergency service line so that you can get in touch as soon as an emergency situation arises. We will do everything we can to accommodate you and see you as soon as possible.

What constitutes a dental emergency?

emergency dentistDental emergencies range from sudden, unbearable toothache to accidents and injuries resulting in lost or broken teeth. You should see a dentist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following conditions. Remember, at Harley Street Dental Clinic we always endeavour to see you as quickly as possible.

Knocked out tooth

Teeth can be knocked out by accidents including trips and falls, road traffic accidents and blows to the mouth and face, as well as injuries sustained playing sports (which is why at Harley Street Dental Clinic we always advise sportspeople to wear a mouth guard when playing or training – your dentist can make you a mouthguard that fits your teeth exactly for maximum comfort and safety).

If you do lose a tooth, your dentist may be able to reinsert it back into the socket, so long as it hasn’t been damaged. You should keep the knocked out tooth clean and should only pick it up by the crown (the part of the tooth that is visible in your mouth) – avoid handling the root.

Chipped or broken teeth

Teeth can also be chipped or broken by accidents and injuries, and again you should see your dentist as soon as possible, even for small chips.

At our Harley Street practice our dentists can restore broken teeth using composite bonding – rebuilding your tooth with tooth-coloured filling material – and can also restore mildly chipped front teeth using veneers, made from porcelain, ceramic or composite material.

Tooth ache and dental abscesses

Tooth ache can quickly become unbearable. At Harley Street Dental Clinic your dentist will never leave a patient in pain; at your emergency dental appointment your dentist’s primary concern will be to diagnose the cause of your tooth ache and get you out of pain. You may require further appointments to treat the underlying cause of your tooth ache.