Emergency Dentist

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

• Call our office to schedule an appointment: The sooner you get in touch with our office, the earlier we’ll be able to get you seen by our team. We are open four days a week as early as 7:00 a.m. most days. When you call, a team member can provide first-aid advice over the phone ahead of your arrival.
• Get an emergency exam completed by our dentists: Once you arrive, either Dr. Song or Dr. Munar will perform a detailed evaluation of your mouth to confirm the source and severity of your symptoms. This may also involve capture of X-rays depending on your emergency.
• Providing relief and reviewing our findings: After getting you out of any immediate pain, we’ll break down our findings with you so you can make an informed decision on how to move forward. Your custom treatment plan will include estimated costs and an expected timeline.
• Getting you professional treatment: Our team will work quickly to get you treatment that prevents your emergency from worsening or coming back, whether it be dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, extractions, or something else.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

The exact definition of a dental emergency can vary since there are so many different kinds. Even if you’re not sure that your dental problem rises to the level of an emergency, it’s best to call for an emergency appointment right away. In the meantime, follow the tips below for performing first aid before you get to our dental office for proper treatment.

• Toothaches
• Chipped Tooth
• Cracked Tooth
• Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
• Knocked-Out Tooth
• Lost Filling or Crown
• Broken Denture
• Loose Tooth
• Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury
• Jaw Pain or Clenching
• Something Stuck Between Teeth

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

We don’t want you to avoid urgently needed dental care because you’re afraid of the cost. Our treatment plans are geared towards one goal: stop your pain and save your smile as quickly as possible. We will only recommend the treatments that are best suited for accomplishing this goal. Once we’ve determined possible treatments, we’ll explain your financial options as thoroughly as possible. Our team members can work with you to figure out the best way to save on your care.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Brushing and flossing at least two times every day helps protect the teeth from decay and lowers your risk for gum disease; you should also make sure you are keeping up with your routine checkups at Song Dental so that we can stop small problems from turning into full-blown emergencies. You can protect your teeth from damage by wearing a mouthguard during sports and avoiding bad oral habits like crunching ice or biting your fingernails.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s

Are you still curious about dental emergencies? For any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our office and speak with one of our friendly team members. That said, we know you may be busy or just like to do your own research, which is why we’ve included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry. Read on to satisfy your curiosity!

Will My Toothache Go Away On Its Own?

Usually, toothaches do not go away on their own. That’s why it’s best to schedule a visit to our office as soon as you notice something is wrong. There are many possible causes for your pain, and we will be able to diagnose and treat the root of the problem. This will also prevent the issue from growing into something more severe. However, some toothaches that involve pain around the tooth rather than in it, such as gum irritation, can go away on their own.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First of Dental Emergencies?

Unfortunately, most ERs are not equipped with the right technology or personnel to address dental emergencies. However, you should visit an urgent care facility if you have a jaw fracture, issue with breathing, deep facial wound, or any other potentially life-threatening problem. For virtually all other situations like chipped, cracked, lost, infected, or broken teeth, our office should be your first destination. Our emergency dentist will usually be able to see you on the same day that your dental problem occurs.

Do Chipped Teeth Heal?

Your tooth enamel is the strongest material in the body, but it won’t grow back once it’s lost. While your enamel can’t heal on its own, it can remineralize when there is slight decay. The only way to restore chipped or cracked teeth is with restorative or cosmetic dentistry. With options like veneers or crowns, we can reshape the tooth and protect it in the future. It all depends on your specific case.

Are Knocked-Out Baby Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out, so if your child’s tooth gets lost, don’t try to put it back in the socket! That said, your son or daughter’s tooth can come out too soon, which is why you should schedule an appointment with our office if this occurs. During a thorough examination, we’ll be able to ensure that there is no damage. It’s possible for permanent teeth to erupt too soon if the baby tooth comes out prematurely. If there is bleeding that won’t stop, or you believe your child hurt their jaw, visit the emergency room right away.

Can I Fix Dentures That are Broken in Half?

If your denture breaks in half, do not try to fix it. Most likely, your entire denture will need to be replaced. The best next step you can take is to call our office to schedule an appointment for your new prosthetic. In the meantime, you can wear a spare denture if you have it, but don’t let it become the one you use regularly.