Emergency dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on dental conditions that are classified as emergencies. These dental conditions are emergencies because if they are not treated as soon or fast as possible, they can lead to loss of teeth, facial deformation or other health conditions resulting from bacterial infection. Here's what you need to know when seeking emergency dentist services:

What Are the Different Dental Conditions Classified as Dental Emergencies?

To help you understand these dental conditions better, they are divided into two groups:

Minor dental emergencies

These are dental conditions that may not require immediate care. However, if you wait for too long, you may lose your teeth or require a complex or expensive dental treatment procedure. Examples of these conditions include tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Major dental emergencies

These are dental conditions that require immediate attention or treatment. You can even tell you need urgent care due to the severity of bleeding, swelling and pain. These are the kinds of dental injuries caused by impacts from accidents or sports.

Dental Clinics That Treat Minor Dental Emergencies

These are clinics that offer dental treatment for conditions like tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

For tooth decay that has led to the formation of a cavity in your tooth, look for clinics that offer services like dental fillings and root canals. You are also looking for a dental specialist known as an endodontist (this specialist treats tooth decay).

For gingivitis and periodontal disease, look for a specialist known as a periodontist. This is a specialist who treats gum diseases and infections.

Dental Clinics That Treat Major Dental Emergencies

To offer dental services that cater to major dental emergencies, a dental clinic needs to meet various requirements. It should:

• Have all the pieces of equipment and tools to handle major dental emergencies
• Have a qualified, licensed and experienced staff that can handle all kinds of major dental emergencies
• Have dental emergency drills in place to cater to different dental emergency cases
• Have a major dental emergency specialist on call 24/7 
• Have access to other specialists who might be required during a major dental emergency

This tells you that dental clinics that offer major dental emergency services may mostly be found linked to larger hospitals to have access to different specialists and to ensure you get the best care. Contact a local emergency dentistry clinic to learn more.