Now that dental offices are only seeing emergency patients and not doing any elective procedures, I want to shed some light on what is considered an emergency procedure.
According to The American Dental Association, emergency procedures are: “potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding [or to] alleviate severe pain or infection.”
Conditions include uncontrolled bleeding; soft tissue bacterial infections with swelling that potentially compromises the patient’s airway; or trauma involving facial bones that potentially compromises the patient’s airway.”
Examples of urgent dental care treatments, include:
- Severe dental pain from a root canal infection
- Wisdom teeth pain.
- Pain after an extraction – possibly from a dry socket.
- Abscess or localized bacterial infection resulting in localized pain and swelling.
- Tooth fracture resulting in pain or causing soft tissue trauma.
- Dental trauma when a tooth gets knocked out.
- Dental treatment cementation if the temporary restoration is lost, broken or causing gum irritation.
Other emergency dental care includes:
- extensive decay or defective restorations causing pain;
- suture removal;
- denture adjustments on radiation/oncology patients;
- denture adjustments or repairs when it affects the function;
- replacing temporary filling on a root canal treatment in patients experiencing pain;
- snipping or adjustments of an orthodontic wire or appliances piercing or ulcerating the oral mucosa.
Non dental emergencies include:
- Routine checkups and cleanings
- Orthodontic procedures
- Extraction of teeth that have no symptoms
- Routine fillings and crowns
- Cosmetic procedures
Still not sure if you have a dental emergency? If you are experiencing: bleeding gums, a broken tooth, mouth injury, or severe pain, then give us a call at 954-566-7479. If you do need an appointment, we’ll do our best to get you in right away.
