Toothache Emergencies Seen Promptly

Dr. Jason Hui works with our Paragon Dentistry team to see patients with toothache or other dental emergencies as promptly as we can. To make this possible, we reserve some time in our schedule every business day to see patients who are experiencing a toothache or other dental pain. That means if you contact us needing immediate care, we will do everything in our power to relieve your pain and even fix the problem the very same day.

Toothache Caused By Nerve Invasion

The most common reason for a toothache involves a large cavity invading the nerve of a tooth. Cavities are essentially holes caused by bacteria byproducts eating away at a tooth. These holes start off small and continually enlarge as more bacteria accumulates within the cavity. Unless all bacteria is removed from the cavity and the hole is restored by means of a dental filling, the bacteria will eventually invade the pulp of the tooth (Figure 1), which contains abundant nerves. This invasion of the nerve is responsible for the sharp, throbbing, and spontaneous pain that usually keeps patients awake at night.

Figure 1. This schematic reveals the anatomical structure of a tooth. The outermost layer that we typically see on a tooth is enamel. The layer underneath is dentin. The pulp is the center of the tooth and contains abundant nerves and blood supply. The root canal system contains the pulp, nerve and blood supply.

Toothache Caused by Abscess

If bacteria invades the pulp (nerve) of a tooth for prolonged periods of time and no treatment is rendered, eventually the nerve dies. At this point, there will be temporary pain relief; however, over time, dead nerves, blood supply, and bacteria will accumulate in the root canal system and lead to an abscess (Figure 2) at the base of the tooth and on the gums. At this point, patients usually experience a toothache characterized by dullness and pressure.

Figure 2. This image reveals the stages of cavity formation. The cavity begins on the outermost enamel layer and continues to progress through to the inner dentin layer. At the enamel and dentin stages of decay, a simple filling can remove the bacteria and restore the tooth. Once the bacteria progresses into the pulp, severe throbbing and spontaneous pain arises. If nothing is done at this stage, the pulp eventually dies off and all the infected debris travels down the root canal system to form an abscess at the base of the tooth. To treat pulp decay and infected pulp stages, either root canal therapy followed by a crown, or an extraction will be required.

Treatment Options

There are two ways to relieve toothache in these cases (1) root canal therapy & crown or (2) tooth extraction.

Root Canal Therapy & Crown

Root canal therapy will remove all the infected nerves and bacteria within the root canal system. Following disinfection, a crown will need to be placed in order to protect the root canal system from re-infection and to offer strength to the tooth. Pain relief is accomplished when the nerves and infection are removed.

Tooth Extraction

Tooth extraction involves removing the infected tooth. Caution must be exercised when selecting this option as it is irreversible. Please click here to learn about the consequences of missing teeth.

Our Commitment to Convenience

• Convenience – Paragon Dentistry is dedicated to your convenience.
• Family Block Appointments – A single family in a single slot.
• On-time Scheduling – You’ll be seen on time, every time.
• Emergencies Seen Promptly – We’ll see you as fast as we can.