Emergency Oral Care Treatment That Long Island Offers
No one ever wants to find themselves in the middle of a dental emergency. The unfortunate truth is that accidents happen. Sometimes, those accidents can cause dental problems. When these emergencies arise, it's important to seek treatment as quickly as possible.
The problem is that there are a few options available to you when you seek emergency dental care. It's up to you to choose which one is right for you. Your two main options are to get emergency care from your general dentist or an oral surgeon. The type of problem that you have will dictate which one is right for you.
In some situations, though, you might need to visit an emergency room first. That being said, how do you know which option to choose? Let's discuss these options so that you can gain some clarity about which treatment to pursue.
Visiting an Oral Surgeon or a General Dentist for an Emergency
When you're trying to figure out which emergency dental service is right for you, there is a lot to think about. Before we jump into the differences, it's essential to point out that it's never a bad idea to visit your general dentist first. Your general dentist in Long Island can perform an oral exam and let you know if you need to visit an oral surgeon instead.
General Dentists for Oral Emergencies
First, let's start by talking about visiting a general dentist for oral emergencies. General dentists typically do cavity fillings and cleanings. Thus, their offices aren't usually equipped with the tools needed to do more complex dental surgeries. If your dental emergency is a chipped tooth or a missing filling, a general dentist will typically be able to help you. Problems beyond that might need the attention of an oral surgeon.
Oral Surgeons for Oral Emergencies
Oral surgeons have offices with equipment that makes it possible to perform more complex surgeries. As such, they're your best option when you're suffering from a dental problem that general dentists simply can't treat. Some examples of problems that might require oral surgeons include impacted wisdom teeth and fractured jaws.
What Is Maxillofacial Trauma?
"Maxillofacial trauma" might sound like a hard term to understand, but it's actually quite simple. Basically, it refers to any kind of trauma that is done to the face, including the jaw. As such, this type of trauma can lead to a wide range of dental issues.
Many people are under the impression that any kind of maxillofacial trauma requires the expertise of an oral surgeon. However, dental damage caused by maxillofacial trauma can be something as simple as a chipped tooth. In such a situation, you could just see a general dentist.
However, the dental damage caused by maxillofacial trauma can be a lot more extreme. For example, this kind of trauma could cause a broken jaw. In that situation, you would need to visit an oral surgeon.
Are you unsure about which kind of treatment you need? Then, it's a good idea to visit your general dentist first. You can get an oral exam and more insight about your problem. Then, the dentist can let you know whether or not you need an oral surgeon.
How Do You Know If You Need the ER Rather Than the Dentist?
In most cases, dental issues require the help of dentists or oral surgeons to fix. However, there are some situations when you shouldn't wait to see a dentist and, instead, should visit an emergency room. How do you know if your issue is bad enough to justify going to the ER instead of a dental office, though?
Firstly, consider how you got the injury. Did the dental issue happen as a result of impact to your head? If so, you may suffer from other medical issues beyond dental ones and not even know it. Because of that, you would be better off going to the ER so that the hospital staff can check you for a concussion and more extensive injuries.
Next, you need to consider the condition of your dental issue. Is there a lot of bleeding or swelling in your mouth? If so, you shouldn't wait to seek medical treatment. These types of problems could be a sign that you have an underlying medical issue and should see a doctor.
Seeking Treatment After Operating Hours
There is no telling when a dental issue might pop up. After all, accidents can happen at any time. That being said, dental offices and oral surgeons typically only provide emergency treatment during their normal operating hours. As such, if you run into an issue when their offices are closed, you'll have to go to the ER.
Seeing the Dentist or Oral Surgeon After the ER
Just because you go to the emergency room doesn't mean that you shouldn't see your dentist too. In fact, after receiving treatment at the ER for any underlying medical issues, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. There, you can get further dental treatment or a referral to an oral surgeon.
Let Us Help You
Are you or a family member in need of emergency dental services? If so, you shouldn't wait to get treatment. Your oral health could suffer more if you wait. Also, you'll be in pain for longer.
We're proud to offer emergency dental care for people living in Long Island. No matter the dental problem that you're struggling with, you can count on us to do the job quickly and at a price that you feel comfortable with. We strive to make sure that our services are affordable so that everyone can receive the treatment they deserve.
Don't wait to seek out dental care in Long Island. Give us a call today, and let one of our friendly staff members provide all of the information that you need to set up an emergency dental appointment.
