The worldwide pandemic known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has caused all of us to pause and consider our policies and procedures. We have a fiduciary responsibility to keep both our patients and our team safe. At Lost Mountain Dental, we want to update you on our response to COVID-19 and inform you of some common dental emergencies that we will be treating throughout this crisis.
Lost Mountain Dental’s Response to COVID-19
We’ve been advised by the American Dental Association to perform emergency care only for the next 3 weeks. Therefore, we will be suspending all elective treatment (cleanings, fillings, crown seats, Invisalign visits, etc.) until Monday April 6, 2020.
We will see patients experiencing dental emergencies Monday-Friday from 8am-1pm by appointment only. We ask that you call our office first at (770) 425-4001 instead of walking in.
Our business office will be open Monday-Friday from 8am-1pm also. Please come in only if necessary. HOWEVER, if you are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, fatigue, coughing, sneezing or respiratory distress we ask you to stay away until cleared by your Doctor, for the safety of others.
Dental Emergencies During COVID-19
To limit the spread of COVID-19, we will need to be selective in what patients we see during this outbreak. We strongly recommend calling us if you think you’re experiencing a dental emergency so we can help you determine your best steps and schedule you an appointment if needed. Here are some good examples of dental emergencies that would require immediate attention:
- Broken or Knocked-Out Tooth – If a permanent tooth becomes broken or unexpectedly dislodged, please contact our office immediately so we can remedy it. Locate a knocked-out tooth if you can and pick it up by the crown. Avoid touching the root. Place the tooth back in its socket if you can. If you cannot reposition the tooth into the socket, place it in a glass of warm milk to keep it moist until you can be seen.
- Sudden Tooth Pain or Swelling – If you experience unexplained tooth pain or facial swelling, please contact our office so we can schedule you for an appointment. There are a variety of reasons a patient might experience pain or swelling. We will need to see you in-person to help diagnose and treat this issue. To reduce your symptoms, we recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. To help with facial swelling, place a cold compress against your cheek.
- Broken or Lost Temporary Crown – If your temporary crown falls out during this time, please contact our office immediately. Because your tooth has already been prepared for its permanent crown, there is an excess of exposed dentin on your tooth which can cause sensitivity and discomfort. We will schedule you for our earliest appointment and create a replacement temporary crown until your permanent one is ready to be applied.
We wish all of our patients and community members continued health and safety during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to call us if you suspect you need immediate dental care. We look forward to seeing you soon.