Emergency dental cap in Europe?

The local consulate, lonely planet, and your travel insurance company can give you recommendations on local dentists. In addition you can just do a simple google search for an "emergency dentist" in the city your are in.
For example in London you can contact these folks:
http://www.24hour-emergencydentist.co.uk

Amsterdam:
http://www.dentalby.com/emergency-dentist-netherlands/dentist-in-amsterdam/

etc. etc.

Walgreens, CVS, and Rite-Aid all carry small emergency dental "repair" kits. Not at all expensive and takes up very little room. You might want to check them out and get one to get you by if need be until you can get to a dentist.

Practice and art of dentistry is just as high as in the US. With some of the new laser imaging it is possible in the US for a crown to be made in a day. The only problem with a crown in Europe would be if you needed a little adjustment or follow up care. If something happens I am sure the hotel will have a recommendation.

Lots of teeth have small fractures, old fillings, etc. and could break at anytime. But, they can also go on for many more years just fine. I would think European dentist would be fine to put on a temporary crown or use some temporary cement to take care any problem. I believe European medicine is sometimes ahead of us, but I don't know about dental. I did have concerns a few years ago when the owner of a B & B we were staying in had two teeth removed. This was in Venice. I tend to think of extractions as a very last resort. So, to have two extractions seemed a little unusual to me and made me wonder how up to date they are compared to us. But, I don't really know.

While some dentists in the US have invested in the systems to make their own crowns while the patient waits, I think many still prepare the site, take impressions, order crowns from a lab, and fabricate and install temporary crowns for the patient while waiting for the longer-term crown to be manufactured. I'd be very surprised if a European dentist wouldn't be able to do the same temporary fix. Just avoid chewing gum, toffee, etc. and all is well.

Thanks everyone! We will be aware of emergency dentists, will take a small repair kit, and my wife will not chew anything sticky on that side. What a great forum this is :-)

thanks again

Joel, I sympathize with your wife. About 5 years ago my dentist told me I had 3 teeth we needed to watch, because they had very large fillings that would eventually give way, requiring crowns. The situation remained stable for years. Finally, about 18 months ago, I decided to go ahead and get the crowns because I planned to start taking some long vacations overseas. Otherwise, those teeth probably would still be hanging in there.

While in my local CVS drugstore today (before reading your post), I spotted a temporary crown kit. Not sure exactly what it was called, but as the earlier poster said, I think picking up one of those would be a good idea for your wife.

"With some of the new laser imaging it is possible in the US for a crown to be made in a day."

In some cases this can be done in about an hour. Digital photos are taken which map the tooth area to be replaced. The Dentist then prepares the site to accept the Crown, while a small computerized milling machine (like a couple of Dremel tools on steroids), precisely forms the new Crown out of a ceramic cube. When the tooth is prepared, the new crown in glued in place and a final trim is done to match bite surfaces. It's a very easy and quick procedure these days.

Joel,

You might ask your Dentist if he can provide some suggestions on what to do if a Crown breaks during your trip. If you do need urgent dental treatment during your trip, the staff at your hotel should be able to find a Dentist for you.

What countries will you be visiting?

acraven, we will get a temporary crown kit for sure. Ken, now that you mention it I would not be surprised if the tech you describe were available in Europe--when we go there I have the feeling of going well into the future anyway :-) And Laurel, we will be in (in order) Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. (Italy next year!)

[Edit] BTW, one of the sites I have googled said that a blob of sugarless gum makes a good emergency, until-you-get-to-the-dentist fix for a broken tooth, if there is pain.

My husband lost a crown while we were traveling in Spain. We went to a local pharamacy to ask for the location of a dentist and the pharmacist gave us directions to a clinic. The clinic was very modern and the dentist and staff were excellent. He was in-and-out in less than one hour and they re-cemented the crown at no charge!

If your wife needs any dental care while you're away, one option is to check with a pharmacist (look for green cross) for a recommendation.

I got a temporary crown put on in Budapest. The crown, one of those full wrap around xrays, cleaning, etc was about $200. Went back 4 months later for the perm. crown for about $250 more. That was a year ago and all is still good. Clean, very modern office that served mostly Swiss pensioners. Excellent dentist. Gets all my work now.

Joel,

"Ken, now that you mention it I would not be surprised if the tech you describe were available in Europe"

It's available at my Dentist here and as I recall the equipment was made in Germany so you can be sure it's available in Europe.

Again, thanks to all for the information and advice.

Although they vary, many of the U.S. Embassy sites by country list medical resources that are English-speakers and recommended by the Embassy. The list, if there is one, is under U.S. Citizen Services. Just Google the appropriate country (i.e., U.S. Embassy Austria) to start. I checked Austria, Greece and the Czech Republic; I found lists for Vienna and Athens, nothing in Prague although it could be buried in their site as all sites on not consistent. Think of it is a possible resource of trusted and vetted providers.

There's a great list for Italy when you come next year. FYI, there is a new-ish practice here called Doctors in Italy. It is a practice designed for travelers and ex-pats, located in the center off Via del Corso. Highly recommend!

MrsEB, we will have the insurance. I was pleasantly surprised at how little it costs.

Laurel, "U.S. Citizen Services" is a great tip! Just now a found a Dentist in Oslo using that means. I did find emergency dentists in Prague (thanks to Michael Schneider's search suggestion), so that city is "covered."

best wishes to all

IN Budapest

First Med. A family member has had some minor surgery here and I use the place for annual physicals (I have a chronic condition that needs to be tracked). Exceptional service, wonderful doctors. They tend to cater to Expats living outside of the national healthcare system. Very reasonable rates. http://firstmedcenters.com/ We’ve been going here for about 5 years.

Amelo Dental Center: My dentist is Dr. Fanni Kerekes. I never met a dentist I liked or trusted till I found this place. Their primary clientele is Swiss (guess the cost of dental work has gotten out of hand there) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amelo-Dental-Center/108224685867458 Have had a crown replaced (a tricky one that required pins) and going back in August for a root canal and another crown.

For what it's worth, people have been going to Sopron, Hungary, for years to have costly dental work done at comparatively bargain rates. Sopron's on the Austrian border, and dentistry appears to be a major industry there.