Is a broken tooth an emergency
Not all instances of a broken tooth require patients to seek emergency dental treatment. When patients experience minor issues such as a toothache or sensitivity, they can often wait for their next regularly scheduled dental appointment. Some patients find relief in using an over-the-counter medication while they wait to be seen by their dentist. It can be challenging to determine what issues require an emergency dental visit. Broken teeth are considered an emergency and patients should follow up with their dentist right away for treatment. This article will review common questions regarding broken teeth and when to seek emergency treatment. In some cases, immediate medical attention may not be needed.
Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency is an issue which requires immediate medical attention. Dental emergencies often require patients follow up with their dentist to schedule a same-day appointment. In severe cases, patient may need to go directly to the closest urgent care or emergency room for treatment. This gives patients the opportunity to be treated right away without waiting for an appointment with a dentist.
Seeking Emergency Treatment
Broken teeth are often classified as an emergency and require immediate treatment. Fractured teeth are actually considered one of the most common dental emergencies that patients experience. Patients often experience broken teeth due to a sports-related accident, trauma, or from eating food. Broken teeth are certainly serious, however, a minor fracture or chipped tooth is not considered an emergency and doesn’t require an immediate visit to the dentist. These issues do not threaten the patient’s overall health and therefore, patients can wait to schedule a regular appointment with their dentist.
When a patient experiences a major tooth fracture, emergency treatment is needed. A major tooth fracture occurs when a large portion of the tooth breaks off. Patients often experience severe dental pain with a major fracture. In order to preserve the tooth and ensure the best possible outcome, it is critical for patients to seek immediate medical attention.
Dental Emergency – Where to go
Regardless of whether a patient has a regular dentist or not, they can still obtain emergency medical assistance. In many cases, dentists will block time during the day specifically for handling emergency appointments. Many patients are able to find an appointment by reaching out to an area dentist. The dental office can often make time in the dentist’s schedule the same day for patients with a broken tooth.
Broken teeth are never convenient to deal with. Dental emergencies often occur in the evening, on a weekend, or during a holiday. Patients can contact the dental office regardless of the time. Dental offices usually have an emergency number for patients to use as needed. In cases where a patient has a major fracture and cannot be seen by the dentist, they can proceed to the nearest emergency room or urgent care clinic.
Patients may need to make an emergency dental visit based on the severity of the broken tooth. While minor chips can wait for a regular appointment, major tooth fractures constitute an emergency visit. In the event of a broken tooth, it is best to follow up with your dentist to determine if you need to be seen right away or require emergency treatment. Prompt treatment helps to preserve the tooth and prevent serious, long-term consequences.