What counts as a dental emergency
- A toothache that keeps you up at night
- A broken or chipped tooth
- A lost filling or crown
- A knocked-out adult tooth (call right away; keep the tooth in milk, do not scrub it)
- Swelling in the gum or face
What happens at the visit

The dentist takes an X-ray of the area, finds the cause, and treats the pain first. Sometimes that finishes the job in one visit; sometimes we stop the pain today and book the rest of the treatment for another day. You leave knowing which, and what it costs.
When to go to the hospital instead
Call 911 or go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck, a high fever with face swelling, or a jaw injury from a fall or accident.
Questions about emergency visits
Do you see emergencies for people who are not patients yet?
Yes. Call and tell the front desk you are in pain. We fit new patients into the same emergency time.
What should I do after hours?
Patients of record can call the main number and follow the recorded instructions. For trouble breathing or spreading swelling, call 911.
Reviewed by Dr. Nora Halvorsen, DMD, October 7, 2026
