Signs You Have a Dental Emergency
It can sometimes be difficult to know whether an issue can wait until your next checkup or if it needs immediate attention. Please call us right away if you are experiencing any of the following:
- A severe, throbbing toothache that is keeping you awake or preventing you from focusing.
- A knocked-out or significantly loosened adult tooth.
- Sudden, painful swelling in your gums, jaw, or face, which often indicates a serious infection.
- A severely broken, chipped, or cracked tooth that is causing sharp pain or bleeding.
- A lost dental crown or filling that leaves your remaining tooth highly sensitive and vulnerable.
Our Approach to Emergency Dentistry
When you are in pain, you need answers and relief, not a long wait. Our approach to emergency dentistry is designed to be as efficient and painless as possible.
- Priority Scheduling: If you are experiencing a true dental emergency, call us immediately. We purposely build flexibility into our schedule so we can strive to see emergency patients on the very same day.
- Immediate Pain Relief: When you arrive, our first and most important goal is to get you comfortable. We use advanced diagnostic tools to quickly identify the source of the problem and utilize highly effective local anesthesia to ensure you are out of pain before we proceed with any treatment.
- Exceptional, Permanent Solutions: Once you are completely numb and comfortable, we focus on fixing the root cause of the problem. Whether you need a simple filling, a root canal, or an extraction, we prioritize high-quality, well-executed dentistry so you don’t have to worry about the same issue recurring.
Transparent Emergency Dentistry Pricing
We are dedicated to ensuring your dream smile is always within reach, even during unexpected emergencies. To provide peace of mind for all of our patients, we offer:
- Complimentary Claims Filing: We are happy to file insurance claims on your behalf so you can easily maximize your benefits.
- Exclusive Membership Plans: For patients without dental insurance, our flexible in-house membership plans provide straightforward, affordable access to the immediate care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to the emergency room or the dentist?
If you have a fractured jaw, severe bleeding that will not stop, or swelling that is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow, you should go to the nearest emergency room immediately. For all other tooth-related pain, broken teeth, or oral infections, you should call our dental office. Hospital ERs typically do not have the equipment or personnel to provide definitive dental treatments.
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
Time is of the essence. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the top part), being careful not to touch the root. Gently rinse it with water if it is dirty, but do not scrub it. If possible, try to gently place it back in the socket. If that isn't possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk or your own saliva to keep it moist, and call us immediately. We have the best chance of saving the tooth if we can see you within an hour.
What if I am out of town when my emergency happens?
If you are traveling and experience a severe emergency, seek local dental care immediately to get out of pain and stabilize the issue. Once you return home, call our office so we can follow up and provide any necessary permanent treatment.
