When it comes to dental emergencies, there are few people who will know the process of how to find one and what to expect when you visit one.
While it can be tempting to simply rush to the nearest emergency room to see a dental team, if you have registered with a local dentist, it is always worth contacting them as the first port of call to see if they can offer emergency care. This will often lead to shorter waiting times and will enable you to feel more relaxed in a familiar setting.
Remember, while a dental emergency is almost synonymous with discomfort, there are many situations which warrant emergency care which may not necessarily be uncomfortable. If you have a loose filling, facial swelling or any other symptoms that concern you, contact your dental team immediately for advice.
Are emergency dental visits scarier than regular ones? And what can you expect when you seek out help from an emergency dental team? In this article, some of the most commonly asked questions about emergency dental trips are answered. Enjoy!
How long will I need to wait to see an emergency dental team?
This depends on a few factors; if you are registered with a local dentist at the time of your emergency or whether you need to attend the emergency room.
If you are registered with a local dentist, you will usually be able to get an appointment within 24 hours. Assuming your surgery sees emergency patients, they may have set aside appointments each day solely to see same-day cases.
If, however, you are visiting an emergency room, you may need to wait up to 4 hours to be seen, depending on how busy the dental team is.
Can an emergency dentist near me pull a rotten tooth?
Usually, no but if the tooth is not able to be fixed with either a root canal, filling or crown, then they may be able to pull it.
Once again, this will depend on whether you are seeing a dentist nearby or if you are visiting a team at a hospital.
Can a dentist near me prescribe me medication in an emergency?
Usually, yes.
If you visit an emergency team with a rotten or infected tooth, then they will often be able to prescribe a course of antibiotics or pain relief, until your follow-up appointment with your regular dental team occurs.
Can an emergency dentist near me perform a root canal?
An emergency dentist will not be able to perform a root canal.
As the name suggests, an emergency dentist will be able to treat the emergency symptoms, such as discomfort, swelling or issues with biting into food. However, if you visit an emergency team with an infected tooth, they will typically be able to offer infection control and pain relief. For a root canal to be performed, you will usually be referred back to your normal dental team for the procedure once the infection has subsided.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
