A chipped tooth, a throbbing toothache, a lost filling – these dental issues can leave you wondering: ”Should I be going to a routine dentist or an emergency dentist?” Both dentists are indispensable in the practice of dentistry, but there is a clear difference in the direness of a situation requiring an appointment with either of them. Here is the categorization to guide you depending on the services you require in the dental field.
When to See a Regular Dentist
You have to understand that general practitioners are the mainstay in oral care. They provide a comprehensive range of services, including:
Routine checkups and cleanings: Such visits enable the dentists to identify other issues that may develop in future should preventive measures not be taken.
Fillings: General dentists can fill the cavities and return your teeth to normal functionality with regard to appearance.
Extractions: Although it is not considered an emergency, tooth removal is at times inevitable given one reason or the other. Normal dentists are safe to remove undesirable teeth.
When an Emergency Dentist is Your Hero
Emergency dentists therefore practice in dealing with unexpected cases in the dental field that call for an immediate solution. These situations often involve:
Severe toothaches: There are various types of toothaches; however, if it is severe and persistent, throbbing, or pulsating, it is a sign of an infection or major tooth damage.
Knocked-out teeth: Timing can be the key in cases where a person loses their tooth; the quicker you seek help the better the results. If the tooth is retrieved for treatment within an appropriate time, then there is an effort to replant the tooth by an emergency dentist.
Fractured teeth: Chipped or fractured teeth may be sensitive on nerves that can be very painful and much more may worsen the situation.
Key Differences in Availability and Services
The primary difference between emergency dentists and regular dentists lies in their availability and focus:
Availability: Emergency dentists are likely to carry out their operations at extended hours past normal business days and weeks and also, they may provide a walk-in service. Most regular dentists are open from Mondays to Fridays during the daytime and on an appointment basis.
Focus: Essentially, emergency dentists focus on short-term management to alleviate patient pain and address other urgent issues. First, regular dentists offer additional services and practice more on preventive measures and surgeries that are likely to be planned ahead.
Choosing Your Dental Champion
If you’re facing a dental emergency, here’s what to do:If you’re facing a dental emergency, here’s what to do:
Assess the severity: Is the pain chronic or steady together with inflammation, fever, or heavy and uncontrollable bleeding? Go to the dentist office as soon as possible.
Contact your regular dentist: It is also noteworthy that some dentists are willing to treat their patients in emergencies when their office is closed.
Search for emergency dental practices online: Most websites and directory provide information on emergency dental clinics and their contacts and some will highlight whether they are able to attend to patients at the moment.
Conclusion
Hence, both emergency and routine dentistry form important parts of dental health. Preventive care undermines cases of emergencies thus people need to visit dentists for emergencies once in a while. In this context, you are able to differentiate and determine when to consult each of the specialties in order to maintain oral health and prompt response during an emergency.
