Why You Should Choose an Emergency Dentist Instead of the Emergency Room for Dental Emergencies

Do you know what to do if you experience a dental emergency? Many people make the decision to visit the nearest emergency room. There are numerous reasons why this is not the best idea. However, there are also valid reasons to go to the ER when certain situations such as mouth trauma occur. The following points will help you understand why it is best to go to an emergency dentist for most dental emergencies.

Standard of Care

Dentists are the only medical professionals that can perform dental care in many states. It is prohibited for other professionals to perform dental such as extracting a tooth. This means that even if you go to the ER, your discharge questions will likely include instructions that advise you to follow up with a dentist. The ER professional may provide antibiotics or pain medications, which can be helpful if you are experiencing a toothache or have an issue such as gum disease or infection present.

It is important to note that dentists can prescribe the same medications. They can also determine the severity of your dental emergency and the best course of resolution to resolve the problem. For example, sometimes teeth can be salvaged by procedures such as root canals. This means that you can avoid complications and ensure that you receive the best care. 

Costs Are Lower

The cost of emergency room visits can be exorbitant. Even if you have insurance, the money wasted going to the ER and eventually needing to see a dentist resolve your issue should give you reasons to conclude that an emergency dentist is the best option for you. Unnecessary visits to multiple medical facilities could result in higher out-of-pocket costs for deductibles. You might also be prescribed multiple prescriptions, which will also need to pay for. By seeking services from a dental facility only, you can save yourself and your insurance company money.

You Can Save Time

Emergency room visits can last for hours. Some dental visits may too if a procedure that is timely is being performed. However, an emergency dentist visit will likely not be as long as a visit to the ER. You may have to return for treatment depending on the issue. However, your initial visit will likely be swift because the focus will be on assessing and treating you. For example, a toothache might mean that you need a tooth extracted, which might be a same day procedure. However, it could also be a sign of an infected tooth that may be able to be treated with a root canal at a later date.

To learn more about how to treat dental emergencies, contact services such as Centre Family Dentistry.


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