During an emergency, your mind can easily start racing. All you can think about is getting yourself or your loved one the care they need as soon as possible. Your first instinct may be to drive to your nearest emergency room, but you should keep your emergency dentist in Lincoln in mind.
If you have an emergency specifically regarding your mouth, you may be better off seeking emergency dental care in Lincoln rather than a traditional emergency room. We’ll go over why now.
The ER May Not Have a Dentist Available
Did you know that in many states it’s actually illegal for an emergency room doctor or anyone who’s not a licensed dentist to perform basic dental treatments? That means they can’t remove teeth, fill cavities, or perform any kid of restorative care. By the time you make it to the ER, you’ll have to head to your emergency dentist anyway!
They may be able to provide you antibiotics or painkillers, but that won’t address the source of the problem. For example, if you have a toothache, need a tooth extracted/reimplanted, or need a crown to cover a broken tooth, you’ll be out of luck in the emergency room. It will only increase the cost of your overall treatment.
It Will Drive Up Costs Unnecessarily
Visiting the ER is already a very expensive endeavor. The visit itself will cost several hundred dollars and maybe even thousands if you opt to have an ambulance drive you there. By the time you arrive and get examined, the doctors there may not even be able to treat you properly for legal reasons. That means you’ll have to visit your dentist anyway and will only waste your time and money.
Once you arrive at your emergency dentist in Lincoln, you’ll have to pay more money on top of what you already spent at the emergency room. To avoid unnecessary costs, take a moment to consider whether you need to visit the ER at all of if your emergency dentist can sufficiently address your issue.
When You Should Visit the ER vs. Your Emergency Dentist in Lincoln
If you’re not sure whether your emergency could be better addressed by an ER doctor first and then a dentist, consider the following:
- Is your jaw broken?
- Are there cuts inside or around your mouth?
- Is there severe swelling in your mouth?
- Have you had an untreated infection for several weeks?
If you answered yes to any of these, an ER visit would be more appropriate, followed by a visit to your emergency dentist.
Don’t waste precious time and money on an ER visit you may not need. If you’re ever experiencing a dental emergency, call your emergency dentist in Lincoln right away!
About the Author
Michael Kotopka, DDS, graduated from the University of Nebraska and went on to earn his dental degree from the UNMC College of Dentistry. As a captain in the US Air Force, Dr. Kotopka participated in an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. To learn more about his practice, contact him at (402) 421-6611 or visit his website.