Some dental problems need same-day care. A knocked-out permanent tooth, severe pain, spreading swelling, or bleeding you can't control all count. Others, like mild sensitivity or a small chip that doesn't hurt, can wait for your next checkup. If you aren't sure which one you're dealing with, call us and describe it. That call costs you nothing.
It isn't always obvious whether a dental issue can wait for a regular appointment or needs attention right away. Here's a general guide. When in doubt, it's always worth calling.
A tooth that ached badly and then went quiet hasn't necessarily healed. Pain from an inflamed nerve can fade once the nerve itself stops responding. The problem inside the tooth continues without the signal that was telling you about it. The next thing people often notice is swelling. If you had severe pain that disappeared on its own, treat that as a reason to call rather than a reason to relax.
Patients apologize for calling about things that turn out to be minor. Nobody minds. Sorting a small problem out over the phone is a good outcome. We would much rather hear about a symptom that turns out to be nothing. The alternative is you sitting at home with something that isn't.
What needs seeing today, and how to reach us
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- Severe, persistent tooth pain
- A cracked or broken tooth, especially with pain or a jagged edge
- Facial or gum swelling, particularly if it's spreading
- A lost filling or crown that's causing pain or exposing a sensitive tooth
- Uncontrolled bleeding after an injury
Swelling means the infection has moved out of the tooth and into the tissue around it. Swelling that is spreading rather than staying put is the version to act on fastest. Pain can be managed. Spread cannot be waited out, and the longer it goes the more treatment it takes to settle. Call and tell us it's swelling, specifically. That changes how we schedule you.
- Pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), never the root
- Rinse gently with water if dirty, but don't scrub it
- Try to place it back in the socket if possible, or keep it in milk
- Call your dentist immediately, because timing significantly affects the outcome
That is the whole picture for a knocked-out tooth. Call while you're doing it, or have someone else call for you, so we can get you in. Call (407) 774-4433 and describe what's happening. We'll give you guidance on the phone, then see you as soon as we can.
Our office hours are Monday to Wednesday 8 AM to 5 PM and Thursday 8 AM to 4 PM. Call (407) 774-4433 as soon as the problem starts and we'll do our best to see you the same day. If our office is closed and your symptoms are severe, use the guidance above and go to the emergency room.
What to tell us when you call, and what happens when you arrive
- What happened, and when it started
- Where it is, and whether you can point to one tooth
- Whether there's swelling, and whether it's getting bigger
- Whether anything is loose, broken off, or missing
- Whether there was an injury or a knock to the face
- Any medical conditions, and the medications you take
A knocked-out baby tooth is handled differently from a knocked-out permanent tooth. Call us and tell us your child's age and which tooth it is before you do anything with it. A chipped front tooth, a tooth knocked loose, or a cut lip after a fall are all worth a call the same day. Call even if your child seems fine within minutes.
You don't need to be an existing patient to be seen for an emergency. Call, describe the problem, and you'll hear what we can do and when. If what you need is beyond what we can provide that day, we'll say so and help you get to the right place rather than leave you calling around.
The visit starts with pain relief. Then we find out what's actually going on, usually with an exam and an X-ray of the tooth. You'll get a diagnosis, the options, and what each one involves before anything else is done. Sometimes the right move is the definitive repair that day. Sometimes it's getting you comfortable and stable now, with the permanent work planned for a later visit.
The usual repair for each problem, and what it costs
- A cracked tooth. The repair depends on how deep the crack runs. A filling, a crown, or root canal treatment and a crown are all possible, and an X-ray plus the exam tells us which.
- A knocked-out tooth. We assess whether it can be put back in the socket and stabilized, and we tell you honestly what the chances look like for your tooth.
- A lost crown. The tooth underneath is often sensitive to air and pressure. A crown can sometimes be recemented and sometimes can't, which we can only judge once we've seen it. If you still have it, say so when you call.
- An abscess. The source has to be treated, not just the symptom, which usually means root canal treatment or removing the tooth.
- A broken filling. Often straightforward, but a filling that keeps breaking is telling you the tooth needs more than a filling.
- A cut lip, cheek, or tongue. These bleed heavily and can still be minor, or look minor and need attention. Describe it on the phone.
The exam and X-ray that identify the problem are a small part of the total, and you'll know the cost of the treatment before it starts. Starting prices are on our pricing page, financing options are available, and the figure for your plan is confirmed in writing. Being seen early almost always costs less than being seen late, because the treatment is smaller.
What does not need a same-day visit, and what not to judge by
Mild sensitivity, a small chip with no pain, or a loose baby tooth in a child typically don't require an emergency visit. It's still worth mentioning at your next checkup, because a chip with no pain today is the easiest version of that problem to fix.
Pain level is a poor guide on its own. A tooth can hurt violently from something simple, and a serious infection can sit almost quietly. Visible damage is a poor guide too, because a crack that barely shows can run deep while an obvious chip stays shallow. That's why the list above is built around what's happening rather than how bad it feels.
With dental emergencies, it's always better to call and ask than to wait it out and hope. A quick phone call costs you nothing.
What to put in place before the next one
- Grinding wears and cracks teeth over years. A nightguard is cheaper than a crown.
- A mouthguard for contact sport prevents most knocked-out front teeth
- Chewing ice, hard candy, and popcorn kernels splits teeth that already have large fillings
- Using your teeth to open packaging chips front edges
- A small cavity treated now is a filling. The same cavity left alone becomes a root canal.
- Regular checkups find cracks and failing fillings before they let go at an inconvenient moment