How to Find an Emergency Dentist in Raleigh

Key Points
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
How to Find an Emergency Dentist in Raleigh, NC
Schedule Emergency Dental Care Today
References

Key Points

Access to emergency dental care in Raleigh can help patients avoid traditional emergency rooms while still getting quality, comprehensive care.
There are many advantages to having a designated emergency dentist and to putting a plan into place for finding one.
There are several qualities to look for in an emergency dentist in Raleigh. Identifying these will help ensure you and your family are receiving the highest level of care possible.

According to a recent report by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, more than 2 million people visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to dental issues. Can the ER help with a tooth? Yes, but that is an extremely inefficient and costly way to deliver dental care. The same report stated that diverting care to local dentists would save upwards of $1.7 billion.¹

Not all practices offer emergency dentistry. So, for many individuals––even those who visit the dentist regularly––a major barrier is finding one who does.

This article explains the qualities to look for in an emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC. Keep reading to find out how to choose one that will meet all your immediate oral health needs while letting you avoid the emergency room.

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies refer to any situation that is outside routine dental cleaning, checkups, or restorative services. By definition, it relates to the need for immediate medical attention or, at the very least, circumstances that need to be addressed within 24 hours. Note that emergency dentistry involves situations that are not immediately life-threatening. If your situation entails excessive loss of blood or broken bones in the face, you should immediately call 911. Dental emergencies are those that are unforeseen, arise abruptly, or where conditions dramatically worsen in a short period. They could be new issues or those stemming from a recent treatment. Common examples include:

Severe toothache
Extrusion (partially dislodged tooth)
Avulsion (knocked-out tooth)
Chipped or fractured tooth
Lost crown or filling
Oral trauma
Severe gum infection
Object stuck between teeth

Conditions like toothaches can bring sudden, persistent pain that does not subside with over-the-counter medications. A patient might seek emergency dental care if a tooth has been partially dislodged or completely knocked out of the socket. These situations can be time-sensitive for several reasons, including the prospect of saving the tooth (in some cases).²

Chipped or fractured teeth, along with lost crowns or fillings, may be less pressing, but such damage can expose the tooth’s sensitive inner layers. This includes the dentin (hard, mineralized tissue) and the pulp (soft tissue containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue). Left unaddressed, an exposed dentin-pulp complex can open the tooth up to infection and more significant damage.³

Oral trauma and severe gum infections are other dire situations. Injuries to the lips, tongue, or jaw should be addressed as soon as possible. Gum infections can produce extreme pain and swelling, and could indicate a possible abscess––these can form at the root of the tooth––which can be dangerous and should be treated promptly.

Finally, if a foreign object becomes lodged between teeth and cannot be removed with floss, emergency attention is needed. Failing to address these situations could lead to prolonged discomfort and even permanent damage to teeth.

How to Find an Emergency Dentist in Raleigh, NC

As mentioned, not all dentists specialize in dental emergencies. In most cases, the ones who do advertise it. However, there are a few things you should consider when investigating prospective practices. These include:

Availability
Convenience and comfort
Wide range of services
Insurance

Confirming availability is priority number one. Inquire about the days and times that emergency dental services are provided. Are dentists or other staff on-call during weekends or holidays? Learn about the admissions process. Is there a 24-hour answering line that patients call? Ask about turn-around time––how quickly patients can get in to see the on-call dentist. Next, find out the locations where emergency services are provided. Often, dental practices with multiple offices will consolidate emergency services to one or two locations. Make sure these are close to your home, work, school, or other places where you regularly spend time. Dental emergencies can be traumatic. Consider finding a dentist’s office and staff that provide a calming, comfortable environment for treatment. Look for dentists who offer a range of services. As mentioned, emergency dentistry can involve different causes and conditions, and related treatments. Ensure that your emergency dentist has experience in tooth extractions, root canals, and addressing trauma and infections, which means they are equipped to handle almost any set of circumstances that arise. Finally, if you have dental insurance, spend some time determining the types of dental emergencies that your plan covers. Ensure the dentist’s office accepts your insurance, and also ask about financing plans for any out-of-pocket costs. This can help make emergency dental care more affordable.

Schedule an Emergency Dental Appointment Today

Now that you understand how emergency dental care works and what you can expect on a visit, you are ready book an appointment. Following the advice above will help you find a knowledgeable, experienced emergency dentist in Raleigh, NC, who can help you address any crises that arise.

References

“Emergency Department Visits for Dental Conditions — A Snapshot,” Health Policy Institute, American Dental Association, December 2023, from: https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/research/hpi/hpigraphic_0420_1.pdf.
Bustamante-Hernández, Naia; Jose Amengual-Lorenzo; Lucía Fernández-Estevan; Alvaro Zubizarreta-Macho; Cátia-Gisela Martinho da Costa; Rubén Agustín-Panadero, “What Can We Do With a Dental Avulsion? A Multidisciplinary Clinical Protocol,” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, October 2020, from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7600208/.
Galler, Kerstin M.; Manuel Weber; Yüksel Korkmaz; Matthias Widbiller; Markus Feuerer; “Inflammatory Response Mechanisms of the Dentine–Pulp Complex and the Periapical Tissues,” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, February 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7867227/.