Tips for Dental Emergencies While Traveling Abroad

Are you planning a trip outside the U.S.?   Don't have your vacation ruined by a toothache.

Before flying overseas, I strongly recommend a visit for a thorough dental examination, especially if you are traveling to a developing country or isolated areas without access to safe dentistry. 

Emergency dental care abroad may be hard to find, painful, expensive, and even dangerous. Most of us take for granted the high U.S. standards for equipment sterilization, infection control and safety. We seldom think about the fact that sterile instruments, gloves, disposable needles and safe water are not always the standard in many parts of the world. Dentists practicing in the U.S. are held to high standards of care and must follow infection control guidelines for disease prevention. The standards for educating and licensing dental professionals also vary in foreign countries. In the U.S., dentists have been educated in accredited schools and have taken national and state boards prior to receiving a license to practice.

Before Your Trip:

Schedule an appointment with your dentist giving adequate time to complete any necessary dental treatment. Pressure changes especially during air travel can cause pain in an untreated tooth.

• Have decayed or cracked teeth treated
• Congested with sinus problems? It may be from or affecting your teeth
• Schedule a cleaning, especially if you have any type of periodontal (gum) disease or bad breath
• Sensitive teeth should be checked before you travel
• Complete all root canal treatments

Tips for Issues While Traveling: 

Along with your passport, carry travel information including names and phone numbers of organizations to contact in case of a dental or medical emergency. Some good sources to contact in an emergency are:

• A local hotel concierge.
• Americans living in the area or an American military base.
• The International Assoc. For Medical Assistance To Travelers — a network of doctors and medical institutions around the world – (www.iamat.org).
•  American Consulate or American Embassy in the country you are visiting.

Don't let a dental emergency dampen your vacation. Be sure to have your teeth in great shape prior to leaving home!

Keep smiling,

 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121

Repairing a Chipped Tooth is Easy (and Smart)

A chipped tooth in your smile can make an impression — and it’s not a good one!

Take, for instance, the dim-witted character Lloyd Christmas in the “Dumb and Dumber” film franchise. Lloyd’s chipped front tooth was a conscious choice by actor Jim Carrey to make his character appear unhinged every time he opened his mouth.

Repair a Chipped Tooth for Aesthetics & Health

Luckily, it’s easy to repair this type of dental injury. Dentists like West Hartford dentist Dr. Elzbieta W.Basil, DMD have several options at their disposal depending on the nature of the damage and whether you’ve been able to locate and save the otherwise intact fragment.

It’s essential for your oral health as well as your appearance to make a dental appointment for assessment and repair of a chipped tooth. If dental pulp at the core of the tooth is exposed, your tooth could become sensitive to heat and cold, and pressure, causing persistent discomfort. The pulp could also become contaminated, resulting in a need for root canal treatment.

Option 1: Bonding — Rejoin or Re-create the Fragment

Dental cosmetic bonding is the fastest and most cost-effective option to fix a chipped tooth. According to the internet Jim Carrey had a chipped tooth repaired in his youth; and, he asked his dentist temporarily remove the repair it for the movie.   Bonding involves application of a composite resin material that Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is highly skilled in coloring and shaping to match the original tooth.  Minimal or no removal of existing tooth structure is required.

If you were able to save the fragment of tooth and it is otherwise unspoiled, a dentist can use bonding to seamlessly reattach it. Otherwise, depending on the extent of tooth loss, bonding material can be used to replace the lost portion.  And that’s where your practitioner’s skill will shine the most.

Option 2: Veneer — Cover the Chip

A dental veneer can be used to mask the entire front of the damaged tooth. This is a thin, custom-made porcelain shell placed on the front of the tooth to give it a new face. Some removal of existing tooth surface could be required in order to properly  to fit a veneer to make it flush with it’s neighbors.

Option 3:  Crown — Cover the Entire Tooth

A crown may be the best choice if you have a somewhat large chip. A dental crown will fully encase the tooth visible above the gum line and a skilled dentist can shape and size it to match the original.  The porcelain or ceramic material should be colored to match your other teeth. Some of the existing tooth surface will be removed to allow the crown to fit over it.

Prevention

Oral mishaps will occur, but you can substantially reduce the risk of damaging your teeth by wearing a custom fitted mouth guard for sports, a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep—and  please don’t chomp on ice, popcorn kernels or hard candies…and don’t use your teeth as a tools for cutting, holding and opening things!

Keep smiling,

 

 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121