Emergency periodontal care in Sydney

A specialist in periodontics manages most dental emergencies. After the nature of the emergency is confirmed, non-surgical or surgical treatment can resolve or control it.

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Registered Specialist

Periodontics — Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA) · Clinical Professor, University of Sydney

The most common dental emergencies

These are the problems people most often present with:

Broken teeth.
Gum abscesses, a localised large swelling of the gum.
Inflammation around wisdom teeth.
Swelling and bleeding.
Trauma to teeth from an accident.
Pain on biting, often related to infection or a cracked tooth.
Pulpal abscesses, an abscess of the tooth nerve.

How they are managed

After the nature of the emergency is confirmed, non-surgical or surgical treatment can resolve or control conditions related to trauma to teeth, broken teeth and pain on biting.

If a tooth cannot be saved and has to be extracted, an immediate implant may be recommended and, where appropriate, performed during the same session. Whether that is possible depends on an individual assessment.

Gum abscesses and inflammation of the gum around partially erupted wisdom teeth can usually be managed with non-surgical or surgical periodontal therapy. In some cases an antibiotic prescription is necessary. The same treatment can relieve emergencies involving swelling and bleeding.

In cases of pulpal abscess, a periodontist can confirm the cause, prescribe palliative care and refer you to a specialist in endodontics for root canal therapy if you choose to keep the tooth.

Common presentations

What we see most often

Broken teethGum abscessWisdom tooth inflammationSwellingBleedingDental traumaPain on bitingPulpal abscess

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual results vary and suitability depends on an individual clinical assessment. Before proceeding with a surgical or invasive procedure, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Good to know

Emergency Therapy — frequently asked questions

What counts as a dental emergency?

Swelling, significant bleeding, a broken tooth, trauma from an accident, or pain that stops you sleeping or eating. If you have facial swelling that is spreading, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, that is a medical emergency and you should go to a hospital emergency department.

Can an implant be placed the same day a tooth is removed?

Sometimes. Immediate post-extraction implants are a technique Prof Quaranta has studied and published on, but whether it is appropriate depends on the condition of the socket, the surrounding bone and your general health, and it is decided by individual assessment rather than in advance.

Do I need a referral to be seen urgently?

No. You can contact the practice directly. If your own dentist has already seen you, bringing their notes or radiographs helps.

Specialist clinical expertise

Based on research and clinical experience

Prof Quaranta is a Clinical Professor of Periodontics at the University of Sydney and has published more than 200 research outputs, over 120 of them peer-reviewed. He lectures on periodontics and implant dentistry to universities, scientific societies and study clubs in Australia and overseas.

Research, publications and speaking

Prof Alessandro (Alex) QuarantaSpecialist Periodontist · Clinical Professor, University of Sydney · PhD, MRACDS, FRACDS

This information is provided by Prof Alessandro (Alex) Quaranta, an AHPRA-registered Specialist Periodontist, Clinical Professor of Periodontics and author of more than 200 scientific publications. Read his full profile.

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