Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are quite frightening and often painful. Our experienced professionals ensure your dental needs are met swiftly. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth and overall oral health have the best possible chance of survival.
Sometimes, teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns, and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely. If there is severe tooth pain, it is essential to contact our office immediately. Timely dental care can prevent further health problems. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always worsens without dental care treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize your health.
Types of Dental Emergencies and How to Deal with Them
Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)
If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately for emergency dental treatment. Quick dental intervention is necessary to restore your smile. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels sustain significant injury. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.Here are some steps to take:
- Call our dental office.
-
Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
-
If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
-
If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
-
Get to our office to see an emergency dentist, quickly and safely.
We will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy might be necessary.
Lost dental filling or dental crown
Usually, common dental emergencies involve a dental crown or dental filling that comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.
If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that we can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage, leading to more problems.When emergency dental service is not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:
-
Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
-
Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
-
If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
-
DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
We will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.
Cracked tooth or broken tooth
The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks, and breaks, which can be a significant dental problem. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the tooth pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks, and breaks can take several different forms but are generally caused by trauma, grinding, and biting. If a tooth is fractured or cracked, it is important to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.Where a segment of a tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:
-
Call our dental office.
-
Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
-
Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
-
Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
-
Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot see us immediately.
-
Take a topical pain reliever.
The nature of the break or fracture will limit what we are able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the broken tooth. Saving your tooth is our top priority. In the case of a complete break, your dentist will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure. With effective care, this issue is manageable.
Dislodged/loose tooth
When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or tooth decay, proper emergency dental care might save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth, still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary. It is important to call our office immediately to make an appointment with an emergency dentist. In the meantime, while emergency dental service is not yet available, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required. If you have questions or concerns about urgent dental care or emergency dental services, please contact our emergency dental care and general dentistry office in Lincoln Square or visit us in Sauganash, Chicago, IL.Why Choose Us for Any Dental Emergency in Chicago
- Immediate, Same-Day Emergency Care: When you’re experiencing dental pain or trauma, time matters. Our emergency dentist in Chicago is ready to handle urgent situations — from a knocked tooth to a chipped tooth — with same-day emergency dentistry services designed to relieve discomfort and protect your smile.
- Comprehensive Emergency Dentistry Services: We treat a wide range of conditions, including severe toothache, jaw injuries, abscesses, gum infections, and more. Whether the emergency is the result of an accident, injury, or sudden dental infection, our team has the training and technology to provide effective treatment.
- Experienced Team You Can Trust: Our Chicago, IL, clinic is staffed with professionals who have years of experience in emergency dentistry. We understand the stress of a dental emergency and provide calm, compassionate care that helps patients feel at ease while receiving the highest quality treatment.
- Affordable, Accessible Care with Insurance Support: We believe that cost should never be a barrier to urgent dental care. Our office works with most insurance plans and offers affordable payment options so patients can receive the emergency treatment they need without added financial stress.
- 5. State-of-the-Art Facilities & Patient-Focused Approach: Our Chicago office is equipped with advanced dental technology to ensure precise diagnosis and swift treatment. From the moment you walk in, our friendly staff works to make your visit as smooth and comfortable as possible — even on the most stressful day.