Our Services / Emergency Dentist

What is an emergency dentist?

An emergency dentist diagnoses and treats potentially serious oral health issues that require immediate care.

If you develop a severe toothache or bite down on a hard object and chip a tooth, get treatment right away. The sooner you make it to Designer Smiles, the more likely you are to preserve your smile. 

What are some issues that an emergency dentist treats?

Emergency dentists, like Dr. Ospina, treat various issues, including:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Chipped, fractured, or otherwise damaged teeth
• Severe toothaches
• Cuts and lacerations that won’t stop bleeding
• Oral abscesses
• Painful sores
• Foreign objects lodged between teeth
• Loose teeth
• Fractured jaw

You might also benefit from a visit to the emergency dentist if you break or lose a dental restoration, like a crown or a bridge.

What should I do in an emergency situation?

The actions you should take in an emergency depend on the issue at hand, but here are a few general recommendations:

Knocked-out tooth

If you lose a tooth while playing sports or as a result of a car accident, pick it up and rinse it off in tap water. Once you remove all of the dirt and debris, try to put the tooth back in the socket. If the tooth won’t stay, place it in a glass of milk. Then, call our Designer Smiles Emergency Hotline.

Severe toothache

In the event of a severe toothache, try taking over-the-counter pain medication and call Designer Smiles right away. We can provide palliative care that will alleviate the pain until the appropriate treatment plan is complete.  

Damaged dental restoration 

If you break a crown or another restoration, try to locate and pick up all of the pieces. Rinse the restoration off and put it in a sandwich bag or a piece of foil. When the restoration is secured, contact our Designer Smiles Emergency Hotline.

What if I need an emergency dentist on the weekend?

At Designer Smiles, Dr. Ospina accepts emergency patients every day of the week. If he’s unable to treat the root cause of your discomfort on the same day, he offers palliative care. Prescription medication can reduce your symptoms until the root of the issue can be addressed.

If you need an emergency dentist, call the Designer Smiles Emergency Hotline right away.