Dental emergencies

A dental abscess

An abscess is a real infection, characterised by an accumulation of pus in the tissues surrounding the tooth. This accumulation may also be accompanied by redness or heat in the area around the tooth, as well as increased fatigue and even fever. In most cases, it is necessary to drain the abscess through the outside of the gum, or through the tooth by making a small cavity in the top of the tooth.

Bleeding gums

Like all bleeding, bleeding from the gums is obviously pathological. Most of the time, it’s caused by inflammation created by tartar build-up under the gums, and accurate scaling and oral hygiene care at home will help restore healthy teeth.

However, bleeding can also have a more serious origin, such as infections, deep cavities, or wisdom teeth that are struggling to emerge, which is why it is important to consult one of our clinic’s dentists as soon as signs of bleeding appear.

A broken tooth

A broken tooth needs to be repaired quickly and solidly to prevent the tooth from breaking further, food from stagnating in the cavity and the shape of the break from injuring the tongue or mucous membranes.

Locked Jaw

In some cases, your jaw may become locked in an uncomfortable position as a result of a false movement, and a simple manipulation by the dentist will enable them to be repositioned correctly. In other cases, the opening of the mouth may be limited, and this is most often linked to an infection affecting the wisdom teeth, leading to temporary paralysis of the muscles.

An accident

Whether you have broken one or more teeth, or simply knocked your teeth, it is essential that you seek medical attention as soon as possible so that repairs can be made and a check carried out. What’s more, we’ll fill in the necessary forms to declare your accident so that the LAMAL can cover all visits and treatment resulting from this accident.

An old filling falling out

These situations are extremely common and require an effective, lasting and aesthetic repair after the tooth has been carefully cleaned. As a reminder, there are no longer any grey fillings at CHD!

Broken braces

Orthodontic appliances or braces can break and cause irritation injuries: our orthodontists and dentists are available the same day to take care of you immediately to reattach the brace, cut the orthodontic wire or remove the irritant: our dentists are there for you!

Toothache

Pain is the main symptom that prompts you to seek urgent medical attention. It is in fact the best warning signal your body sends out to indicate the presence of a pathology. Rest assured, the aim of an emergency consultation is to take care of you within 24 hours in order to bring you immediate relief.

A loose crown or post

In cases where a crown, post or bridge has been loosened, it is essential to reattach it after a thorough disinfection of the part and the tooth. In some cases, it is no longer possible to replace them, so we have to make a new temporary crown, and it may even be that some teeth cannot be saved: all these options are of course discussed with you beforehand.

A detached fixed retainer

(the bar stuck to the back of your teeth) The wire placed at the back of your front teeth at the end of orthodontic treatment can sometimes come unstuck or break. It’s vital to consult a dentist as soon as possible so that the wire can be reattached quickly, as your teeth could return to their original position and lose the beautiful alignment achieved by orthodontic treatment.

Swelling of the face

Often linked to an abscess, it is important to consult one of our dentists to ensure that the swelling does not lead to respiratory distress or spread to sensitive areas of the head and neck.

What happens during an emergency consultation at CHD?

Our aim during an emergency appointment is to quickly relieve your pain and avoid possible complications. The dentist will then provide treatment appropriate to your situation. In some cases, it may be necessary to return for permanent treatment, but the dentist will have relieved the pain beforehand, and the second appointment will obviously be more comfortable for you!

How much does an emergency consultation at the clinic cost?

The price of the consultation and treatment varies, depending on the type of treatment required, but you should usually expect to pay around CHF 150. In all cases, the dentist will give you a precise price after making his or her diagnosis and before starting the required treatment.

How can you relieve your dental pain before your appointment at the clinic?

Before your appointment at the clinic, you can :

• Take a painkiller such as Ponstan or an anti-inflammatory such as Irfen or Mefenacide,
• Apply an ice pack to your cheek: the cold can help soothe the pain
• Remain in a seated position or with your head elevated: lying down increases pressure in the tissues and indirectly increases pain.
• If you are bleeding: rinse your mouth gently with water and bite down on a clean compress to reduce the bleeding.