Service
Emergency visits
A broken or knocked-out tooth, a toothache that won't ease, a lost filling or a swollen gum: call us and tell us what happened.
When we can fit you in, we do. When we can't, we say so and tell you what to do until you are seen. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
- Swelling that spreads to your face, eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a serious blow to the head, or bleeding that won't stop needs emergency care now. Go to an emergency room or call 911. If a tooth is knocked out or broken, call our office right away.
Services
What to do, in order
- 01
Step 1: Call the office
Call (563) 555-0101 during office hours. Tell the front desk what happened and when. If we can't see you today, we say so.
- 02
Step 2: What to do while you wait
Rinse your mouth with warm water, keep any pieces of tooth, and hold a cold pack to your cheek if it is swollen.
- 03
Step 3: The visit
Dr. Gustafson or another dentist looks at the tooth, takes the X-rays needed and tells you what the choices are before anything is done.
- 04
Step 4: A written plan and estimate
If the tooth needs more than the emergency visit, you get the plan and the estimate in writing, and time to decide.
Services
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
We numb the area before we work, and we stop when you ask. If a tooth is very sore, tell us when you call.
Other choices, and waiting
A knocked-out tooth does better the sooner it is put back: hold it by the crown, rinse it gently without scrubbing, put it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and call us right away. A broken tooth or lost filling can wait for a visit, but waiting can let it break further.
Risks and after-care
After an emergency visit the area can be sore. Follow the care steps we give you, and call us if pain or swelling grows.
How it is billed
An emergency visit is billed like any visit, by what is done. We give you an estimate in writing before treatment beyond the visit itself.
How fees work
Questions about emergency visits
Do you keep appointments open for emergencies?
We keep room in the day when we can, but we can't promise it. Call early and we will tell you plainly.
What if it is after hours?
We have no after-hours line at this office. If it can't wait, go to an emergency room, and call us when we open.
When is it an emergency room, not a dental office?
Swelling that spreads to your face, eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a serious blow to the head or bleeding that won't stop: go to an emergency room or call 911.
Call us first
Tell us what happened. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.