Dental Emergency Terminology

Common Dental Emergencies

• Abscessed Tooth: A painful infection at the root of a tooth or in the space between the tooth and gum.
• Avulsed Tooth: A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket.
• Broken or Chipped Tooth: A tooth that has been fractured or damaged.
• Extruded Tooth: A tooth that has been partially dislodged from its socket.
• Lost Filling or Crown: A filling or crown that has fallen out or become loose.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Cuts or lacerations to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.
• Toothache: Pain in or around a tooth, often caused by infection or inflammation.

Emergency Procedures

• Dental Splint: A device used to stabilize a loosened or displaced tooth.
• Emergency Extraction: Removal of a tooth that cannot be saved.
• Incision and Drainage: A procedure to drain an abscess.
• Pain Management: Using medication or other techniques to relieve pain.
• Reimplantation: Placing an avulsed tooth back into its socket.
• Root Canal Therapy: A procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.

Related Terms

• Cellulitis: A serious bacterial infection of the skin and tissues.
• Dry Socket: A painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction when the blood clot is lost.
• Facial Swelling: Swelling of the face or jaw, often due to infection or injury.
• Hematoma: A collection of blood outside of a blood vessel.
• Ludwig’s Angina: A severe infection of the floor of the mouth.
• Trismus: Limited jaw opening or lockjaw.