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.

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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. Per the ADA, a dental emergency is a situation characterized by one or more of 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.

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.

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