Why Go to an Emergency Dentist Instead of the ER?

An emergency dentist is a professional you can contact for a last minute appointment. In many cases, oral health problems occur without warning. For some people, the risk of waiting for the next available appointment from their current dental care provider means dealing with pain and discomfort. Instead, you have two options. You can visit the local ER and get help right away or you could turn to a dental care provider offering urgent appointments. There is a difference in the type of service you will get.

Why Go to the ER?

In some cases, you should go to your local ER. If it is the middle of the night and the pain is intense, this may be your only option. If your teeth are damaged significantly from a car accident or another traumatic event, visiting the ER is a good idea. They can provide x-rays to determine what the concern is. They can provide pain medication to take away the pain you have. These doctors may be able to handle any wounds or other types of concerns related to injuries. However, they do not perform traditional dental work. What's more, most ERs charge a significantly higher cost for the basic services they offer. You may have to pay a larger portion of the cost for this type of visit compared to a traditional doctor's or dentist's office visit.

Dental Care Providers Are Better

In many cases, an emergency dentist is the professional to see when you can do so. They can get you into an appointment the same day. They can help to address the underlying cause of the pain, such as a bacterial infection, exposed root or painful gums. They can then provide you with a lasting solution such as performing a deep cleaning or providing pain medication as it is needed. Not only do they treat the pain you are feeling, but they can then repair whatever it is causing that pain.

More so, these professionals can fix cosmetic concerns on the spot. If you did chip your tooth and exposed the root, you will appreciate having the ability to get that repaired right away. If you lost a tooth due to an accident, these providers can offer specific and immediate repair or replacement for you. With an artificial tooth that looks just like the other teeth in your mouth, there is nothing for you to worry about.

An emergency dentist may be available in your area. When you find one, you may want to make this provider your primary dentist. Doing so means he or she will have all of your information on hand if there is a problem. This means faster treatment of your concern so you can get back to feeling good again.