An emergency appointment is fast and furious. Think 30 to 45 minutes, but with more adrenaline. It’s like going to the DMV with a kickstand—nobody wants to be there, but you’re leaving quickly.
The dentist will triage you like a trauma surgeon wearing a funny mask. “Does it hurt? Okay, let’s glue it back or pull it out. Bye!”
I had a chipped tooth fixed in under 20 minutes once. It felt like a magic trick. Abracadabra, your molar is back. The illusion only fades when the bill arrives.
The X-Ray: A Photoshoot You Didn’t Ask For
X-rays add about 5 to 10 minutes to your appointment. They wrap you in a lead apron that feels like a bib for a giant baby. You bite down on a plastic card and try not to drool.
It’s the least glamorous photoshoot of your life. No filters, no retouching, just a black-and-white thriller of your wisdom teeth plotting against you.
If your dentist takes four bitewings, add 10 more minutes. That’s enough time to mentally compose a grocery list or plan your escape route.
