An emergency dentist provides much-needed relief to patients whose dental needs are not confined to normal business hours. While an emergency dentist can provide many services, there are various procedures that are usually performed only by other dental professionals, such as oral surgeons, and certain issues that are not as time sensitive as they may appear.
When a dental crisis hits, the first thing to do is call your dentist's office. If it does not provide emergency services, it can likely refer you to an office that does. Failing that, you can visit an urgent care facility for immediate assistance. If that is not an option, a trip to the emergency room may be in order.
Be forewarned that not all dental issues are emergencies, however. Generally speaking, there are four primary situations that may require the services of an emergency dentist:
Symptoms of a bacterial infection at the root of your tooth include swollen glands, pus, a fever and a bad taste in the mouth. Pain can be moderate to severe an necessitate emergency care.
An infection that has spread to the root of the tooth can be serious. When the associated aching in your jaw disappears because the tooth has gone numb, it is time to call the dentist ASAP.
A common sign of advanced gum disease is excessive or recurrent bleeding of the gums. Excessive bleeding may require the attention of an emergency dentist.
Wiggly teeth can be caused by an injury, nerve or jaw damage or an infection. In many cases, they should be treated immediately.
While an emergency dentist is equipped to handle a variety of issues at a moment's notice, there are certain oral concerns that they generally do not handle. These include oral surgery and dental difficulties that, while inconvenient, can wait for an appointment during normal office hours.
Patients suffering from generalized pain, chipped teeth, or lost fillings or crowns can likely wait to visit their regular dentist. In these situations, however, it is often wise to call the dentist's office for a quick consult over the phone. The dentist and/or their on-call staff can advise patients how to best care for their specific dental issue and address any related aches or pains.
While certain dental concerns can wait until regular office hours and therefore do not require the attention of an emergency dentist, there are other situations — some more time-sensitive than others — that require the skills of an oral surgeon. They include the following:
Generally speaking, dental issues that necessitate the removal of teeth require the skills of an oral surgeon. In these cases, a patient's dentist can refer them to a qualified oral surgeon.
Dental emergencies come in a variety of shapes, sizes and levels of severity. Some require immediate attention; some necessitate a visit to an oral surgeon, and others are not as pressing as they initially appear. If you have a dental issue that you believe requires urgent care, contact your dentist's office for prompt advice.
Request an appointment here: https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com or call Gables Exceptional Dentistry at (305) 203-4132 for an appointment in our Coral Gables office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Dental crowns are among the most highly versatile restorations, serving both restorative and cosmetic purposes. They can both save teeth as well as help dentists replace missing ones. These restorations have been one of the most popular and effective dental restorations for decades. Here are some common ways dentists use dental crowns to restore and…
Partial dentures are one of the most cost-friendly and effective options for replacing missing teeth. They can either be removable or fixed dentures. This is a guide on what partial dentures are, their benefits, and how to care for them.Partial dentures, commonly known as partials, are artificial replacement teeth that replace a patient's missing teeth.…