What is a dental emergency? A dental emergency is any kind of injury or trauma to the
tooth or the surrounding tissue that requires immediate medical attention. Pain
is a common symptom of a dental emergencies, but not all dental emergencies
involve pain.
Common signs of a possible dental
emergency Here are indicators of a possible dental emergency:
tooth pain
knocked out tooth
broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
trauma to tooth caused by injury
loose crown or filling
lost crown or filling
swelling or bleeding gums
Dental emergencies are high priority If you are not certain whether you or a family member has a
dental emergency, we advise you to contact us in any case. Dr. Padolsky and our
staff will determine whether you have an emergency and if you do, we will get you
in to see Dr. Padolsky on the same day—even if it occurs on a Saturday.
What can I expect during the visit? When you arrive, Dr. Padolsky will listen to your concerns
and examine your mouth to pinpoint the source of the problem. If you are in any
pain, he will address that first. Dr. Padolsky will determine the correct
treatment based on the source of the problem and begin your treatment that day.
What is gum disease? Gum disease is an
inflammation of the gum line that if left unchecked, can affect the bone
surrounding your teeth. As gum disease is the number-one cause of tooth loss among
adults, early detection and treatment can go a long way in helping you maintain
a healthy smile.
Dr. Padolsky and our hygienists are highly skilled and experienced at
treating all stages of gum disease.
Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease has two main stages that range from mild to severe. Treatment
varies depending on how far the gum disease has advanced.
Gingivitis
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. At this stage, the
gums have become inflamed, swollen and reddened as a result of the bacterial
infection. The gums may bleed when you brush or floss. The infection can usually
be eliminated by thorough professional dental cleaning (known as deep cleaning)
and good oral care at home.
Periodontitis When gum disease advances, the gums begin to
progressively detach from the teeth, causing “pockets” of space to form between
the teeth and gums. This stage of gum disease is known as periodontitis.
The ligaments that support the teeth as well as the bone start to get eaten
away by the bacteria.
When the gum pockets get
deeper, the bacterial strains become more aggressive and begin to grow in these
spaces, causing the infection to spread and the gum to detach from the bone.
The bacteria continue to erode bone as the infection reaches an advanced stage.
How is gum disease treated? Gum disease can be effectively treated
with thorough deep cleaning. We use ultrasonic scalers to loosen the calculus
(tartar) and fine hand instruments to remove the remaining calculus and to polish
the root surface.
Deep cleaning
is also known as scaling and root planing. In scaling, our
hygienist removes plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) and calculus, which is
hardened plaque. We do scaling to remove
build-up from below the gum line and root planing
to smooth any rough areas and remove any remaining calculus. Having a smooth root surface has been found to promote the reattachment of the gums to the root and to prevent the further build-up of plaque.
Arestin antibiotic therapy
We use Arestin to eliminate any remaining bacteria. Arestin
is an antibiotic which is placed below your gum line. Arestin is released over
time and will continue to destroy any remaining bacteria.
Advanced gum disease treatment If gum disease is too severe to be handled with
scaling and root planning, Dr. Padolsky can perform flap surgery whereby a surgical opening is created and
the gum is lifted away from the tooth to allow access to the infected area.
The tartar
and infection are then removed with a high-tech laser. The gum tissue is then
placed back so it fits snuggly around the tooth. The main goal of flap surgery
is to reduce the depth of the periodontal pockets and make them easier to keep
clean in the future.
Friendly and competent care Dr. Padolsky has been practicing dentistry since 1982. He is known
for his friendly manner and the highly skilled care he provides. He is
committed to helping his patients maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.
To make an appointment, call 404-476-5504 or click here to request
an appointment online.
Are you looking for a dentist in the Atlanta area? We provide dental services for the entire family—from
cleanings and checkups to complex full-mouth restorations and smile makeovers.
Dr. Padolsky is
one of the highest-credentialed dentists in Georgia. His extensive years of
training and experience enable him to provide the best possible care to
patients. He and our friendly staff are also excellent at keeping you
comfortable during your visits.
When you join the Atlanta Dental Group, you
can take advantage of our special offer to new patients.
$49 New Patient Special Offer
Exam, X-rays and Consultation
(Mention
the $49 offer when you call.)
Review your treatment options for your teeth and gums. We will listen to your
concerns and answer all your questions.
This special
offer includes the following:
Oral exam
Panoramic
X-ray (plus any other necessary X-rays)
Intraoral
camera tour of your mouth
Extraoral
photos of your smile
Neck/facial
exam
Oral cancer
screening
Consultation
with the doctor
Patient
education with X-rays
Written
treatment plan
*Offer does not
apply for Saturday appointments or TMJ Consultations.
To
make an appointment, call 404-476-5504 or use the form below.
You bite into a Waldorf salad and hear a loud a crack. You’re hoping it’s
just a piece of walnut shell, but find out that it was a filling. Your child
has managed to get a tooth knocked loose with a soccer ball—on a Saturday.
Dental emergencies can vary a great deal and come any day of the week.
Unfortunately, not all dentists accept emergency requests. Emergencies can
throw off schedules, and some dentists lack the skills and equipment to handle the
wide range of issues that crop up.
So, what should you look for in choosing an emergency dentist in your area? Here are five things to start with.
Does the dentist
welcome emergency cases? You go to the dentist’s website and by looking at their office hours and
communication about emergency dental services whether the dentist and staff
welcome emergency appointments. Is there a way to reach the office outside of
normal business hours? Will the dentist provide same day emergency care even on
the weekend?
What is the skill and
experience level of the dentist? Emergencies require a high level of skill and experience. An emergency
dentist typically needs to act fast and effectively to find the source of the
problem and begin treating it. The dentist may first need to get you out of
pain. Does the dentist have more than just the basic credentials? You can often
tell by looking at the services the dentist offers on the website.
Is the dental practice equipped with
state-of-the-art technology? You want to find a dentist who can perform a broad range of services using
the latest equipment. Not only does investing in the latest equipment reflect a
high dedication level, it also helps ensure you are given an accurate diagnosis
and effective care.
Is the dentist patient
and caring?
Especially in a stressful situation, it is crucial to be able to communicate
and have the dentist listen and understand your needs and concerns. In addition
to skill and experience, patience and compassion are a must.
Same-Day Emergency Treatment
Dr. Padolsky and our caring, knowledgeable staff are well-equipped to handle any dental emergency you may have. When you come in, the first thing he will do is listen to your concerns and examine your mouth to accurately identify the problem. If you are in pain, he will address that first. Once he has identified the problem, he will determine the proper treatment that you need.
The TMJ (temporomandibular joint or
jaw joint) is the joint that connects the lower jaw and the skull. It is the
joint that you use to talk, chew or yawn.
TMJ Disorder (TMD) is the improper
functioning of the jaw joint. TMJ Disorder can be caused by the jaw joint going
out of alignment. TMJ Disorder can cause headaches as well as pain in the face,
jaw, and neck.
Misaligned (bad) bite – The most common causes or reasons for TMJ disorder are clenching and grinding of teeth and a misaligned (bad) bite or malocclusion. A misaligned bite can occur as a result of genetics, trauma, worn-away or missing teeth, or poor body posture. Tooth grinding can also damage teeth by wearing them down and puts undue stress on dental bridges, implants and other tooth restorations.
Disk erosion – The parts of the TMJ bones are separated by a disk made of cartilage. If this disk erodes or is damaged by arthritis, TMJ disorders can occur.
Stress – People who are under a great deal of stress can develop a bad habit of tightening their facial and jaw muscles or clenching their teeth.
Injury due to blunt force trauma – Blunt force trauma due to injury can create a TMJ disorder. In some cases, TMJ disorders may also be caused by diet or allergies.
Highly Skilled, Experienced TMJ Dentist
Dr. Padolsky has over 30 years of experience treating TMJ Disorders and has successfully treated thousands of patients with TMJ issues. He has 450 dentists who send their patients to him for TMJ treatment.
Accurate Diagnosis for Effective Treatment
The key to effectively alleviating the
symptoms of TMJ Disorder lies in finding their cause. Dr. Padolsky will first review
your dental and medical history and conduct a thorough oral exam.
During your visit he will do a cranial exam and check the muscles in your head, face and neck. He will also examine your temporo-mandibular temporo-mandibular joints. Based on the results, Dr. Padolsky will customize a treatment plan to alleviate your TMJ issues.
Reducing Muscle Tension
Since the pain experienced by 90% of the patients we see stems from muscle pain, the first priority is to relieve muscle tension, spasms or pain. This allows the jaw muscles to return to normal so that Dr. Padolsky can accurately assess the condition of the jaw joint.
Pain Medication
Dr. Padolsky may recommend anti-inflammatory medicine such as Motrin, Nuprin or Advil. These medications can help relieve muscle pain.
Relief with Massage
Therapeutic massage may be used to reduce tension and ease symptoms. Massage can offer temporary relief, an important step in treating TMJ issues.
Custom Oral Appliance
Dr. Padolski has found that oral appliances are the most effective form of TMJ treatment. The doctor will create a custom oral appliance that keeps your jaw relaxed and in position. Oral appliances can also adjust the bite so that it goes into an optimal, natural position.
Orthodontic therapy
TMJ Disorder can be effectively treated with braces
as part of an orthodontic treatment to correct a bite or misaligned teeth. When the teeth are in their
correct position, the TMJ return to its
proper alignment and thereby alleviate TMJ symptoms.
To make an appointment, call 404-476-5504 or click
here to request an appointment online.
As we head into the holiday season, we look forward to spending time with family and friends, enjoying a little time off and eating delicious food. The last thing on our minds is a dental emergency, yet the holiday season can be ripe for them because we tend to break out of our daily routines.
Same Day Emergency Treatment
Dr. Padolsky and our caring staff make it a priority to handle dental emergencies. Call us immediately if you suspect that you or a family member has a dental emergency. Dr. Padolsky can treat your emergency the same day, even if it falls on a Saturday.
Five Tips for Avoiding a Dental Emergency
Although we cannot predict dental emergencies, here are a few precautions you can take to at least minimize the risk of having one.
Make a dental appointment before the holiday– if you or a family member is due for a cleaning or check-up, or you need to take care of some “little” thing you’ve been putting off like getting a cavity filled or a crown fixed, go ahead and get it done. Dental emergencies are often the result of an earlier unhandled dental situation.
Maintain good oral hygiene – while you may not want to bring your electric toothbrush to a holiday gathering, you should have a toothbrush and floss handy. Brushing and flossing at least twice a day can go a long way in preventing bigger problems.
Wear a mouthguard when playing sports – with more family holiday get-togethers and free time, you and the kids may end up outdoors. If possible, wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports like football. A mouthguard may help to diffuse an impact or at least minimize any damage that occurs.
Watch what you bite– while adults know better than to use their teeth as a tool for cracking nuts or opening bottles, children may not. It is also good to avoid biting down on things like hard candy or peanut brittle.
Water is your friend – staying hydrated with water is easier to think about during warmer seasons, but it is equally important in the winter. According to the American Dental Association, water helps cleanse the teeth of food residue and dilutes the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Moreover, if you consume alcohol, you can avoid dry mouth by staying hydrated.
What to Do if You Have Dental Emergency
Should you find yourself with a dental emergency, call us right away. Dr. Padolsky has over 30 years of experience helping patients with dental emergencies. He and our friendly staff are standing by to help you.
