What Can Emergency Dentists Treat? And Where Can I Find One?

Imagine a scenario; you are enjoying dry fruits and nuts on a cold Saturday night when suddenly you hear a cracking sound from one of your teeth – and then you feel a sharp, stinging pain in the cracked tooth. What do you do in such a situation? It’s Saturday, and you will hardly find any dental office open at this time of night. 

This is when you go to an emergency dentist. But what is an emergency dentist, and what is the difference between an emergency dentist and a general dentist? Indeed, you will have many questions about emergency dentistry. But don’t worry, if you want to learn more about emergency dentistry, this is the right place for you. So, read on to know more!

What Is Emergency Dentistry?

Emergency dentistry is a branch of dentistry that involves treating situations and injuries that require immediate treatment. Such injuries should be treated right away as they can be potentially life-threatening. 

How Does Emergency Dentistry Work?

Emergency dentistry works the same way as routine dental treatment. However, emergency dentists are trained to treat injuries and other emergency situations at very short notice. For example, if someone injures their face, an emergency dentist will find the source of bleeding and stop it immediately to prevent excessive blood loss. If someone suffers from a dental emergency, they should call the emergency hotline number provided by their dentist to get an emergency appointment. Their dentist will first advise them over the phone to manage the situation at home and then ask them to visit the dental office as soon as possible. 

Both general and emergency dentists are licensed professionals who can practice dentistry. However, there is a difference in what they specialise in. A general dentist is trained to treat routine family dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, teeth cleaning, etc. On the other hand, an emergency dentist treats potentially life-threatening situations such as dental emergencies, uncontrolled bleeding, severe toothache, dental infections, and swellings. 

How Does An Emergency Dentist Differ From A General Dentist?

What Treatment Can An Emergency Dentist Do?

Emergency dentists are trained to provide potentially life-threatening situations. Some of these situations are:

• Uncontrolled bleeding 
• Severe toothache 
• Knocked-out tooth 
• Dislodged filling 
• Dislodged crown or bridge 
• Broken orthodontic wire 

Can An Emergency Dentist Do A Root Canal?

Both general and emergency dentists can perform root canals. However, general dentists perform root canals as routine procedures. However, emergency dentists perform root canals in emergencies. In such cases, emergency dentists perform root canals to relieve pain – a procedure called chamber opening. During chamber opening, your dentist will create a hole in the infected tooth’s crown to relieve underlying pressure and pain. 

Will An Emergency Dentist Extract A Tooth?

Yes, emergency dentists can extract teeth as well. Again, the purpose of extracting a tooth from a dentist is to relieve severe pain or infection and treat other emergencies. For example, your emergency dentist may extract a tooth when it gets fractured and cannot be repaired. Also, an emergency extraction is needed when there is a severe infection in a tooth. 

How Much Do Emergency Dentists Cost?

The cost of emergency treatment depends on the type of procedure performed. For example, if your emergency dentist extracts a tooth, they may charge around £75 – £100. Similarly, if a more extensive procedure is needed, such as a single sitting root canal treatment, it may cost you around £150. On the other hand, minor procedures such as rebonding an orthodontic bracket or band cost less, as it is not that time-consuming or complicated. However, it must be kept in mind that emergency dental services cost higher than routine, general dentistry services, especially when they are required outside of business hours. 

Some insurance plans also cover emergency treatment under their policies. So, when you or a loved one needs emergency treatment, they should consult with their dentist whether they can pay through their insurance. This will help you reduce or cover your treatment costs. Alternatively, you may check whether the emergency dental practice offers flexible payment plans. 

Emergency Dentist Near Me

Not all dentists provide emergency treatment. Those who do only provide emergency treatment during business hours. So, how to find an emergency dentist near you who offers round-the-clock services? It might be difficult, but it’s not impossible. First, you can search the internet for dental practices offering emergency services. Head over to their website and check their business timings. You can also call them and check whether they offer 24-hour emergency services. This way, you can find an emergency dental practice near you that offers emergency services at all times. 

If you reside in Leatherhead and looking for a reliable and experienced emergency dentist, look no further. Horseley Dental offers all the dental services you need under one roof. Whether you need Invisalign aligners or an emergency root canal treatment, we are here to help you. We take pride in having the most qualified and experienced dental team in town. We also have state-of-the-art dental diagnostic and therapeutic equipment that allows us to provide the best dental treatment services. We also cover almost all the insurance plans across Britain and offer flexible payment plans to those who don’t.

So, what are you waiting for? Please call our reception team today. Our gentle-dental and friendly dental team looks forward to serving you at our Leatherhead office.