Emergency Room or Emergency Dentist: Making the Right Choice

When a dental emergency strikes, the first instinct may be to visit the emergency room at a hospital. In some cases, that is the right choice. More often than not, though, you will end up seeing your emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN, anyway, but incur the additional expense of ER treatment. Making the right choice will save you time and money.

Is It Life-Threatening?

When deciding between an ER and an emergency dentist, ask yourself if the problem is life-threatening. If there is any question, then the answer is to go to the hospital. Any time you are experiencing severe bleeding, problems breathing, or have a high fever, your life could be at risk.

Specific Injuries That Require ER Care

The type of injury also factors into your choice. You should always go to the ER for:

• A facial fracture
• Facial or jaw trauma
• Extensive bleeding
• Signs of a severe infection that has spread to other areas of the body
• Changes in vision
• Confusion
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness

These are all medical emergencies that may require more extensive treatment than an emergency dentist can provide.

When to Call the Emergency Dentist in Indianapolis, IN

Emergency dentists are the right choice for problems that don’t put your life or well-being at risk, but are a dental emergency. For instance:

• A bad toothache
• A chipped or broken tooth
• Knocked out tooth
• A lost crown
• Swelling in the face related to a dental infection or abscess
• Bleeding from the gums only, which will not stop

If you are in doubt, call Indiana Emergency Dental and we can guide you in your choice. In some cases, we may determine that your dental problem is something that the dentist can address during a regular appointment. But if it is an emergency, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you require emergency dental care, please call our office today to speak with our emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN. We are here to help.