What is an emergency oral surgeon? Also, when are the instances when one would need the services of this dental specialist? What is the difference between an emergency oral surgeon and an emergency dentist? This article will talk about what an emergency oral surgeon does, and what emergency dental services and dental care patients can get from these dental professionals. After reading the article, visit BeyondInfinitydental.com.au today to get more information about emergency dental care.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation when you need to have your teeth and mouth checked by a dentist as soon as possible. The key is knowing how to recognize what a dental emergency is, and when it is alright to wait to see your regular dentist.
Regular toothaches can usually wait until you can see your dentist the next day. These toothaches can be treated with home remedies or over-the-counter medicines to dull the pain until you can have your dentist check you to find the root cause of the problem. However, if you experience dental trauma, and have a severe injury in your mouth or teeth, this is a dental emergency that may require emergency dental care.
Where to seek emergency dental care?
You may be wondering where you can find emergency dental care. It pays to have the information on where to go in case one needs emergency dental treatment—usually, the first person who should check your condition. However, if you have the dental emergency in the dead of night, or in other situations where you cannot be seen by your dentist right away, you can visit an emergency dentist.
Many people are unaware that they can get emergency dental services from their regular dentist. Some dentists offer emergency dental services to their patients. Emergency dental care is usually given 24/7. Emergency dentists will be available to administer treatment outside of the regular operating hours of the dental office.
If your regular dentist does not offer emergency dental services, you can always visit your local emergency room or urgent care center. They will have the information about the available emergency dentists and oral surgeons in your area. It is a good idea to have this information on hand even if you are not currently experiencing a dental emergency.
Oral surgeon VS emergency dentist?
Which one of these dental emergency specialists should you approach when you have a dental emergency?Â
Emergency dentists
Emergency dentists work like your regular general dentist. These emergency dentists are available to treat patients who need emergency tooth extractions and have minor dental injuries that require emergency care. If the dental emergency that needs treatment involves surgery or is too complicated for the emergency dentist to perform, they will refer the patient to an oral surgeon.
Situations, when an emergency dentist will be suitable, would be to treat avulsed teeth, treatment for minor tooth pains and minor dental trauma and injuries can be handled bu emergency dentists.
Emergency oral surgeons
Oral surgeons specialize in more complicated emergency procedures. If you require a complicated tooth extraction, gum surgery or the reconstruction of the jawbone, you will most likely be referred to an oral surgeon by your dentist.
Why oral surgery is needed
Oral surgery is necessary when patients have complicated oral issues that cannot wait until their regular dentist’s office opens for business. Here is a list of dental emergencies that may require oral surgery.
Tooth extractions
If the tooth is causing extreme pain for the patient, an oral surgeon may suggest that the tooth be extracted. Most general dentists who work with emergency dental service teams are trained and capable enough to perform simple tooth extractions. However, the services of an oral surgeon may be needed if the tooth extraction is deemed too complicated for the dentist to handle.
If the tooth is impacted, or at an angle, an oral surgeon will be the one to handle the extraction. Also, if there is dental trauma that complicates the emergency procedure, an oral surgeon will be a better candidate to perform the procedure rather than a general dentist.
Issues with the jaw
If there are issues with the jaw, and the patient needs surgery to correct it, an oral surgeon will handle the operation. Emergency cases concerning the jawbone would be sports injuries or accidents that may cause trauma to the jawbone.
The patient may experience extreme pain if their jawbone is injured. This type of dental emergency has to be given treatment right away, and cannot wait until the next time the office of your dentist opens.
Extreme oral pain
If the patient is experiencing severe pain in their oral cavity, this may also be considered a dental emergency. Pain is a sign that something wrong is happening internally. Pain rarely comes unaccompanied. Oral surgeons will be able to get to the bottom of what is causing the pain for the patient.
Oral surgery may be needed to cure the pain and repair any damage that has been caused. Oral pain may be a sign of an oral condition that needs immediate attention from an oral surgeon. It is a good idea to see an emergency dental team as soon as you can. It is not a good idea to ignore and disregard pain. If you wait too long, the dental emergency may not be treatable anymore, and teeth may be lost or damaged beyond repair because you chose to wait too long before seeking treatment for your oral pain.
Complications from oral cancer
If a person has oral cancer, several complications may require the need of an oral surgeon. Although these situations may not be considered dental emergencies, oral surgeons are the ones who will be able to help with resolving complications caused by a patient’s oral cancer.
Oral tumors and other types of complications of oral cancer may also extend to the throat and neck. Even if these oral conditions are not considered “emergencies”, it is a good idea to talk to your dentist and doctor about the treatment and removal of these complications. Oral surgeons may also contribute to the healing and recovery from oral cancer. Patients should also consult with their doctors as to how the treatment from the oral surgeon will fit into their cancer treatment.
Do you think you need an emergency oral surgeon?
If you have a dental emergency that you feel cannot wait until the next time the dentist’s office opens, it is a good idea to approach an emergency dental center. Emergency dentists and oral surgeons will be readily available at these centers to treat any emergency oral issues you have.
Keep in mind that if the emergency dentist is not able to handle the complex case you may have, they will be happy to refer you to an emergency oral surgeon to handle the surgical procedure you need. Knowing when to visit an emergency dental center may make all the difference between saving a tooth or losing it. This is why it pays to have the information about where to find emergency dental services on hand. Even before any dental emergency happens, approach your dentist and ask them if they offer these types of emergency services. If not, set up a contingency plan in case of dental emergencies in the future.
