Is a dental fistula an emergency?

Dental fistula: This is an emergency! a fistula means that an infection has been there so long that it has destroyed the bone from the inside out. This is a sign of a chronic infection which stresses the immune systmen and can cause acchange in insuin levelsand can.

Urgent: This is something that usually results from a long term infection. It should be considered urgent since it is not an acute or severely painful condition.

First, a fistula is : An opening between two spaces & may or may not be related to infection (sinus to mouth opening) a dental sinus tract is an infection drainage outlet from a source of dental infection inside/under tissues draining into the mouth. Both need an evaluation & accurate diagnosis. Both are certainly urgent to have treatment as/if needed. Neither is what i consider a true emergency.

The term Emergency: Is a relative one. I would not put it in the same class as a cardiac arrest. Having said that, all infections mandate immediate attention and appropriate treatment as they can cause serious complications, spread to other parts of your body and are potentially fatal.