Dental offices provide a number of essential dental services that many people tend to forget. Many services that offices provide are divided into essential and non-essential procedures. What dictates what is and what is not essential largely depends on whether or not the patient is in pain, or what the risk of infection is.
Dentists will often schedule a non-essential procedure for a later date. While essential procedures can take place the same day or within the week. Following a diagnosis, your dentist will determine the severity of your condition and decide whether or not your situation is essential or not. During the COVID-19 epidemic, many dental offices are limiting the number of patients they see on a regular basis. It is important to know what qualifies as essential to understand whether or not you will be able to get immediate help. It is important to use your best judgment when it comes to determining an emergency. Procedures like root canal therapy are considered essential while having wisdom teeth extraction is considered to be non-essential.
Non-Essential Vs. Essential Dental Services
Dentist offices have a checklist that determines which services are essential and which ones are not. For the most part, essential services are time-sensitive or dental emergencies. Some of the essential services that a dentist provides include:
- Severe Tooth Decay Restoration
- Dental Crowns
- Emergency Dental Services
- Oral Surgery Procedures
- Endodontic Services
On the other side of the spectrum, non-essential services are more elective procedures or if the patient is not at risk of infection or worsening conditions. Some of the procedures and services deemed non-essential include:
- Porcelain Veneers
- Dental Implants
- Periodontics with no additional risks
- Cosmetic Dental Services
- No pain with a fractured tooth
Many people consider any of their dental issues an emergency. It can be hard to determine what requires immediate attention and what can wait. It typically takes a diagnosis from a professional to determine the next steps required.
Determining If You Need Dental Services
Most dentist offices will list the services they are providing. Services like your routine teeth cleaning may have to be rescheduled for another day. If you are suffering from severe tooth pain, you should speak to a dental professional as soon as possible. The pain you are experiencing could be a sign of a more serious problem. Issues like an infection in the pulp of the tooth need to be addressed immediately to protect your teeth.
Just because a service has been declared non-essential does not mean it cannot be performed. Many places of business have designated times for those who are considered high-risk of being exposed to COVID-19. Speaking to your doctor about your symptoms can help you determine the urgency of your situation. Depending on the severity, they can schedule a time where you can get the proper work done.
Reach Out to Marcus Black DDS for Essential Dental Services
Your teeth require attention. It is important to be aware of the services you can still receive during such an uncertain time. Marcus Black DDS wants to make sure that your teeth get the attention that they need and can stay healthy. We provide a number of services to help protect your smile. Some of these services include:
- Professional Teeth Whitening
- No-Prep Veneers
- Preventive Dentistry Services
- Wisdom Teeth Extraction
- Dental Fillings
Taking care of your teeth is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Reach out to Marcus Black DDS by calling 479.464.0900 to speak to a dental professional to discuss the services you need so you can protect your dental health and get the smile you have always wanted.
