Dental maintenance is required in order to have a healthy mouth, and just about everybody is pretty well informed as to what a general or routine dentist does. Check-ups, cleanings, fillings, and prevention are all included in their routine. But when a sudden, hurting dental issue comes up—most of the time between late at night—a visit to an emergency dentist might be called for. So how does an emergency dentist differ from the general dentist?
Although both dentists are qualified to diagnose and fix teeth problems, how accessible they are, how they operate, and the nature of care they provide can be slightly varying. It is in appreciating this variation that you will be better placed in making informed decisions when confronted with an emergency of the teeth.
- Availability of Hours
Maybe the biggest difference between an emergency dentist and a general dentist lies in accessibility.
General dentists usually operate at normal business hours: Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Appointments are booked in advance, and their treatment is normally preventive and routine.
Emergency dentists, on the other hand, operate at night, on weekends, and even 24/7 in extreme cases. Their services cater to the unexpected dental problems that do not have to wait for the next business day.
For instance, if you crack a tooth in the middle of the night on Saturday or wake up at 2 a.m. with searing pain that's murder, an emergency dentist would be the one you'd call.
- Type of Care Provided
There is some overlap in the types of care both can provide, but the type of care provided is based on the urgency.
Primary care dentists provide non-emergency dental treatment like cleanings, fillings, crowns placement, orthodontics, and cosmetic treatments. They do their best to avoid issues and keep healthy mouths.
Emergency dentists can step in quickly to end pain, close infections, and stabilize. Emergency dentists have treatments available that correct acute conditions like:
- Horrific toothaches
- Abscess or infection
- Knocked-out tooth
- Chipped or fractured tooth
- Excessive bleeding of mouth
- Lip, gum, or jaw injury
- Lost crown or filling and hurtful
Their main job is to deliver quick, effective relief and keep the condition from getting worse.
- Qualifications and Training
General and emergency dentists both have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Their basic training and certification are the same. Emergency dentists may be more trained or qualified in handling complex, emergent situations and trauma cases, though.
Some urgent care dentists also work within a dental trauma unit or hospital and prefer to treat conditions of facial trauma, oral surgery, or rapidly spreading infection.
- Same-Day and Walk-in Appointments
Emergency dental care is intended to accommodate same-day or walk-in clients. Unlike appointment-only dentists with weeks- or days-notice waiting lists, emergency dentists address emergent needs first.
This skill is a lifesaver in the event of an emergency visit to the dentist when waiting is not even an option.
- Diagnostic Instruments for Real-Time Assessment
Urgency dentists have the equipment at their disposal to immediately explore and diagnose a problem in time-sensitive scenarios. They will likely employ:
- Instant X-rays
- On-site pain medication or antibiotics
- Splints or temporary stabilizations to support teeth or the jaw
- Urgency root canals or extractions as necessary
They are told to act fast and decisively, first relieving the emergency patient and subsequently transferring it to the routine dentist with follow-up care.
- Coordination of Follow-Up Care
An emergency dentist in the majority of situations tends to give initial treatment and stabilization and then refers the patient to his or her general dentist for ongoing treatment. A good example would be following an emergency root canal, where the patient would go back to his general dentist to get a crown cemented for permanent purposes.
This coordination guarantees that the patient gets complete care, from the emergency care all the way to longer-term rehabilitation and follow-up treatment.
- Cost Factors
Emergency trips to the dentist might be more costly than a standard visit because the work is conducted after regular hours and they have to attend to your requirements instantly. Nevertheless, numerous emergency dentists can negotiate with the insurance companies or give a payment plan to counteract the expense.
It's also worth noting that not attending the emergency visit will lead to more serious—and costly—issues later on, such as infections that will need to be hospitalized or a great deal of effort to repair damage.
When to Visit an Emergency Dentist?
There's more to it than it appears with all else being an emergency, but these are definite indicators that you need emergency dental treatment:
- Severe, persistent toothache
- Gum or face swelling
- Ongoing bleeding
- A cracked tooth or avulsed tooth
- Pus, fever, or bad breath with a strong, offensive odor
- Trauma to the jaw or mouth
It is in these situations that waiting for a routine appointment may cause further harm or ill health.
Regular dentists and emergency dentists are both a part of oral health care--but they are really doing rather different things. Regular dentists perform prevention, maintenance, and management on the long-term level, while emergency dentists are the front-line rescuers when dental problems suddenly occur.
Knowing where to go—and when—can be the difference between saving your smile and safeguarding your health. Whether you're in the midst of a sudden dental crisis or just need a cleaning, knowing the differences allows you to receive appropriate care at the appropriate time.
