Emergency Dentist Near Me
Ideally, one’s trips to the dentist are planned well in advance – twice a year for cleanings and check-ups, and the occasional intervention scheduled as needed. Accidents happen, though, and life isn’t limited to business hours. Sometimes dental emergencies arise that must be dealt with immediately.
Increasingly, more and more people – adults and children alike – are seen in the Emergency Room at their local hospital for ailments that require the expertise of an emergency dentist richmond virginia. Not only is the care that is received in the Emergency Room symptom management at best, with staff in these locations unable to provide the care that is needed, the costs can be astronomical. It is far preferable to simply seek out an emergency dentist near you to get the care you need at a price that won’t break the bank.
Emergency Dentist Services
In contrast to the services received at the Emergency Room, which will largely be focused on reducing pain and other associated symptoms until you can be seen by a dentist, emergency dentistry can offer a wide variety of services. From repairing a chipped or broken tooth to treating a painful abscess, emergency dentists can perform almost all of the same services that you would be able to schedule at your regular dentist’s office. Teeth can be extracted, gum lacerations can be managed, and emergency root canals can be performed. Whatever kind of dental emergency you may be experiencing, chances are good that an emergency dentist near you will be able to treat and manage the situation.
In most cases, emergency dentists will accept the same dental insurance plans with which you are typically covered. Medicaid is often accepted, as well, though coverage of both can vary by location and you should be sure to ask before committing to an appointment, particularly if you have more than one option for an emergency dentist to visit.
Locating an Emergency Dentist
Emergency dentist offices vary by region and city; while there are some networks of emergency dental offices that operate throughout the country, coverage varies by city. The best way to locate an emergency dentist in your area is by calling your own dentist’s office. Typically, messages left on their machines will let their patients know who to call for after-hours assistance, providing phone numbers or other means of contact.
When to Call an Emergency Dentist
Dental emergencies are typically characterized by extreme pain, breaks, chips, and serious swelling. If the amount of pain or stress you are feeling is not reasonable to put off until the following day, chances are that you are experiencing a dental emergency that warrants a trip to your local emergency dentist. If there is doubt, it is typically best to err on the side of caution and go ahead and be seen.
If the situation that you are in is life threatening or involves more than just your teeth – for example, a head injury that has also resulted in damaged teeth – it is important that you be seen in the Emergency Room to treat those injuries before making an appointment with an emergency dentist. Your holistic health must come first in these cases; a trained dentist can always follow up and repair any damaged teeth later.