Oral Surgeon vs. Emergency Dentist: How to Choose

If you have found that you have a dental emergency, you might be wondering if you should choose an emergency dentist or an oral surgeon. An emergency dentist can care for some of your dental needs, but sometimes you might need an oral surgeon. This can include tooth extraction. Read on to learn how to decide which of these two professionals is right for you.

Dental emergencies

It is important to first know what is considered a dental emergency. That way patients will know when they are to seek immediate help. Patients who are experiencing severe toothaches should schedule an appointment at an emergency dentist. This can help to keep the teeth healthy and in the patient’s mouth. A patient’s dentist should be the first point of contact for a dental emergency, but sometimes a general dentist cannot fit in appointments at the last minute.

If a patient has an injury in the mouth, signs of an infection or jaw swelling, then they should see an emergency dentist immediately. The emergency dentist can give the patient an oral exam to determine where the symptoms are coming from. This will allow the dentist to either treat the patient or send the patient to an oral surgeon. An emergency dentist may give the patient a temporary fix, which can help stabilize the tooth until the patient can get an oral surgeon appointment.

Oral surgeon vs. an emergency dentist

Some patients mistakenly believe that an emergency dentist and an oral surgeon perform the same jobs. However, the difference between the two of them is the type of training that each one receives. This will determine the types of services that each one can provide for a patient.

An emergency dentist has gone to dental school and done in-person training. Some emergency dentists can do oral surgery for patients. However, most of the work that an emergency dentist does revolves around relieving severe pain for patients, including pain from toothaches and swollen jaws. An emergency dentist can look at a patient’s emergency dental needs and determine if they can treat the patient’s condition.

On the other hand, an oral surgeon can perform tooth extractions. An oral surgeon can also help to restructure the gum and bone tissue after gum disease or an injury. A dentist will usually give a patient a referral to an oral surgeon if surgery is needed. This type of surgeon can also help with chronic oral issues.

Visit an emergency dentist today

If you have a dental emergency, then it is important for you to visit an emergency dentist quickly. If a tooth needs to be extracted, then an emergency dentist can stabilize the tooth for you until you can visit an oral surgeon. In general, if you are in severe pain or have a loose tooth, then an emergency dentist is a good choice. An oral surgeon can treat less severe issues.

Request an appointment here: https://palmbeachdentalspa.com or call Palm Beach Dental Spa at (561) 688-7933 for an appointment in our West Palm Beach office.

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