Common dental emergencies which may be encountered by the family physician

Dental emergencies are common in everyday practice, and the family physician may frequently be called upon to evaluate and, at times, to provide initial care for such problems. This article acquaints the family physician with diagnosis and treatment of the most common dental emergencies: disorders secondary to trauma, including soft tissue laceration, fracture or displacement of teeth, and bone fractures; and severe pain related to acute alveolar infection.