When faced with a dental emergency, it can difficult trying to determine if you should see your emergency dentist in Wheaton or just go to the emergency room. While it might seem like the ER is going to be the best place to receive care, you could be looking at an extremely costly visit that has you spending a lengthy amount of time seeing someone who lacks the expertise of a dentist. An emergency dentist in Wheaton explains why it’s more beneficial to go to your dentist office for crisis dental situations versus the ER.
The ER: Where Wasted Time, Costly Visits, and Lacking Dental Expertise Live
Not all situations call for a visit to the emergency room. Broken leg? Get in the car and go to the ER. Concussion? Yes, a visit to the ER will be necessary. Painful toothache or busted lip? It’s better if you take a trip to your dentist office instead. Here’s why:
- Long waits. Know for the lengthy amounts of time spent in the lobby, you could be in immense pain for longer than you prefer by going to the ER.
- Costly investment. While it is an emergency, you may still want to save some money as far as treatment is concerned. If that is the case, you won’t save it by going to the emergency room. You can expect a large bill for something that could have easily be taken care of at a dentist office.
- Lack of dental expertise. When you go to the ER, the likeliness you’ll see someone with a dental background is slim, which means you might not receive the most knowledgeable care. Injuries that occur to the mouth should be seen by a qualified, skilled dental professional, not a general physician.
The Dentist Office: The Right Place to Go
We understand it may not make much sense to rush off to your dentist office when an emergency hits, but if you want a skilled professional with knowledge of the matter to examine you, it’s the best place to go. Whether you have a knocked-out tooth, injured jaw, cracked crown, or a toothache in Wheaton, your emergency dentist can address the problem quickly and effectively. A few of the benefits that come with a local dentist you can trust include:
- Expert knowledge. Your dentist spent many years learning and perfecting their dental skills. This should give you much assurance when it comes to handling a dental crisis. Finding a local dentist office with an expert team is most beneficial in these types of instances. Dental school is different from medical school, so it’s important to see the right kind of doctor for the right circumstance.
- Walking you through it. Even if your dentist is unable to see you right away, you can trust that she will walk you through how to handle your dental emergency while at home. Even though it may seem urgency, most dental crises are not.
- Less likely to face a large bill. While the ER may have you staring down a bill that will take you years to pay off, a visit to your dentist will more than likely keep you from having to completely empty your wallet. Depending on the severity of the emergency, it can be as minimal as paying for antibiotics to eliminate infection or paying for the removal and replacement of a tooth.
You should remember that if bleeding does not stop, you have a broken jaw, or there is a situation that does require immediate medical attention, get the ER as soon as possible. Otherwise, save yourself the time and money and see your local dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Kathy Lam, DDS, attended the University of Illinois at Chicago for her bachelor’s degree. There she was on the Dean’s List and a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Howard University College of Dentistry in 2002 before attending a residency at Waterbury Hospital Health Center in Connecticut. Prepared to meet the needs of her dental patients, she understands that it can sometimes include tending to dental emergencies. This is why Dr. Lam wants her patients to feel comfortable reaching out to receive help. To learn more about how we can help you in an urgent situation, visit our website or call (630) 653-7720.