Emergency Dentist vs. Emergency Room Palm Harbor, FL
If you experience a dental emergency, it is important to know an emergency dentist is just a phone call away. Many dentists who provide emergency services make themselves available 24 hours a day, as emergencies can arise at any time. Emergency dentists are professionals who treat walk-in and last-minute patients who require immediate care.
Emergency dental care is available at VIP Dental Center in Palm Harbor and the surrounding area. In the case of a dental emergency, you should ideally contact our office first. However, there may be times such as when an issue arises at night, over the weekend, or on a holiday when your first instinct is to rush to the emergency room. In these situations, carefully consider the severity of the problem and whether it necessitates ER care.
Dental emergencies can arise at any time of day or night, and in a variety of situations. When one does, call VIP Dental Center at (727) 213-8154 to get the immediate treatment you need.
When To Go Straight to the ER
Per the American Dental Association, the number of dental-related ER visits nearly doubled, from 1.1 million to 2.1 million, between 2000 and 2010. Despite the increase in numbers, there are actually very few dental-related concerns for which patients should head immediately to their hospital's ER department.
When a Patient Experiences Trauma to the Face
If a blow to the face or accident results in chipped, cracked, or lost teeth, an emergency dentist should be equipped to handle the situation. However, when the accident or incident causes extensive facial trauma, such as broken bones, puncture wounds, lacerations, or damage to the soft tissues, it may be a good idea for the injured party to seek medical care before emergency dental care. Emergency dentists may have the capacity to restore oral health, but most cannot set broken bones, sew up lacerations, or perform other extensive medical procedures.
When an Emergency Dentist Is Unavailable
If someone experiences a dental emergency aside from those mentioned above, and if an emergency dentist is not immediately available to handle it, then the patient should head to the hospital. Though ER personnel may not be able to treat the underlying condition, they can help the patient manage the pain and other symptoms until an emergency dentist becomes available.
“There are actually very few dental-related concerns for which patients should head immediately to their hospital’s ER department.”
When To Call a Local Emergency Dentist First
In the majority of oral health emergencies, patients should contact their emergency dentists before heading to the ER. In addition to helping patients manage symptoms, dental professionals can treat underlying conditions and ensure they do not grow worse. For individuals who are not sure what constitutes a "dental emergency" as opposed to a non-urgent yet uncomfortable situation, the ADA provides guidance. The most common situations that characterize a dental emergency are the following:
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Infection accompanied by swelling or pain
- Painful swelling around or in the mouth, with or without infection
- Chipped, broken, or dislocated teeth
- Abscess with localized pain and swelling and no signs of complications
- Loss of a permanent or temporary restoration
Other problems that may necessitate immediate but not emergency care include broken, irritating, or malfunctioning dentures; oral sutures; and bent or broken orthodontic appliances or wires.
“In addition to helping patients manage symptoms, dental professionals can treat underlying conditions and ensure they do not grow worse.”
What Emergency Dental Treatment Entails
Emergency dental treatment looks different for everyone, as no two dental issues are exactly the same. However, some occurrences are more common than others, which means there are certain treatments emergency dentists perform more often than others. Examples of frequently performed emergency dental procedures include:
- Tooth extraction
- Tooth replacement (placing a knocked-out tooth back in the socket)
- Filling or crown replacement
- Tooth restoration
Regardless of what brings a patient to an emergency dentist's office, dental teams typically thoroughly clean the mouth and around the affected area, take X-rays of the mouth, and focus on pain and infection management.
“There are certain treatments emergency dentists perform more often than others.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist vs. Emergency Room in Palm Harbor, FL
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. When should I go straight to the emergency room?
Q. When should I call an emergency dentist first?
Q. What does an emergency dental treatment entail?
People Also Ask
Q. What steps should happen after chipping a tooth?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you know you need to visit an emergency dentist?
A. Emergency dental issues are ones that require immediate attention to either preserve the tooth or alleviate pain and infection. However, because the definition of a dental emergency is vague for most people, patients should call their dentist if they have any concerns. Otherwise, pay attention for severe pain, exposed roots, excessive bleeding, infection, and swelling.
Q. How do emergency dental care costs compare?
A. Unfortunately, in almost all instances, emergency dental visits are more expensive than regular visits. However, how much more depends on the dentist you visit and the treatment necessary. That said, you should not let cost deter you from seeking immediate care.
Q. Does insurance cover a visit to the emergency dentist?
A. If you have dental coverage, it may cover the cost of emergency dentistry. However, you should review your policy or talk to your provider to get an accurate answer. Dental insurance does not cover visits to the ER.
Q. Will your health plan cover a dental-related ER visit?
A. If you visit the ER for an emergency dental issue, your medical coverage should cover the cost of the visit. It should also cover the cost of prescriptions related to the issue. However, again, you should check your policy to see what it does and does not cover.
Q. When are emergency dentists open?
A. The job of an emergency dentist is to be available when other providers are not. As a result, most emergency dental offices accept walk-ins 24/7. Many require patients to call an emergency hotline first, which will connect them to the dentist.
Scan here to view this page, Emergency Dentist vs. Emergency Room, on mobile
Dental Emergency Terminology
Call VIP Dental Center in the Event of an Emergency
Dental emergencies can happen at any time. Know you can rely on our team when they do. Call (727) 213-8154 for the immediate care you need when one does.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business, license, and website security
- VIP Dental Center was established in 2016.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Pinellas County, Pasco County and Hillsborough County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, New Port Richey, Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Westchase, Largo and Oldsmar
- FL (License #FL0013292). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1023142148). View NPI Registry Information
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to VIP Dental Center on mobile
Back to top of Emergency Dentist vs. Emergency Room
Related Posts
A Guide To Getting A Cleaning From A General Dentist
Cleanings from a general dentist are encouraged once every four to six months. This is a routine visit that does not take long to complete, and it can significantly reduce the risk of dental cavities, gum disease, and other oral health concerns. This guide discusses what you can expect when getting a cleaning from a…
How Is A Dental Implant Placed?
The placement of dental implants is an intricate process involving the insertion of titanium posts into the jawbone. The posts mimic the functions of the natural tooth roots by fusing to the jawbone and support the replacement tooth attached to them. The process involves multiple dental implants, but the process is generally worth the trouble.…
Welcome To VIP Dental Center
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Palm Harbor, FL area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, All-on-4 Dental Implants, All-on-X Dental Implants, Implant Supported Dentures and Dentures.
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call VIP Dental Center on mobile