During this uncertain and unprecedented time, everyone in the entire world has been affected, and things seem to change on a daily basis.  We at Cornerstone Family Dentistry are working hard to navigate this with the rest of the world, and we want to assure you that we will do everything we can to help you with your dental needs during this difficult time.

While we are committed to our patients and their needs, we also want to take all necessary steps to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the health and well-being of our community.  As of now, we are following the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and suspending all non-emergency care.  Until further notice, we will only see patients for urgent and emergency dental needs.  We truly believe this is the best way to ensure the safety of our patients and our staff, as well as a way to preserve crucial medical equipment and patient care supplies.

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines a dental emergency as something that is “potentially life threatening and requires immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding or alleviate severe pain or infection.”  To help you discern if you are having a dental emergency, we have made a list of emergencies and non-emergencies for your consideration.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is likely considered a dental emergency and we are here to help you.  Please don’t hesitate to call us immediately as these symptoms could be a sign of an infection or other serious complication.  To schedule an emergency appointment, please call us at (615) 333-3382.

Symptoms of a Potential Dental Emergency:

• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Swelling in the gums, especially if the swelling in the gums is causing swelling in the face
• Any sort of injury to the mouth or jaw that caused trauma to facial bones or caused a painful tooth fracture
• Severe and ongoing pain in teeth or gums
• Throbbing pain after a recent tooth extraction
• Other signs of an infection, including but not limited to throbbing toothache, fever, tender or swollen lymph nodes, sudden taste of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid, and difficulty breathing or swallowing

We know it is an inconvenience, but the safety of our patients is our top priority.  The following are procedures that will be rescheduled and are considered non-emergency procedures.

Dental Non-Emergency Procedures

• Routine dental cleanings
• Most orthodontic procedures, unless they fall under one of the dental emergencies listed above
• Extraction of asymptomatic teeth
• Aesthetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening and braces
• Restorative dentistry such as crowns, bridges, and implants, for asymptomatic teeth

If you are unsure if your symptoms require immediate care, or if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us at (615) 333-3382.  We will help you find the best solution as well as prioritize your safety and health.  We will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 nationally and within our community and let you know when we are able to reopen.