Same-Day Appointment For Dental Emergencies San Diego

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, and many conditions require immediate treatment. Whether you experience a sudden injury or have an untreated toothache or dental infection, emergency dental services are available at Smile Designers to address a range of serious dental issues before they get worse.

Common Dental Emergencies

Most dental emergencies are the result of an injury, but not all. Severe tooth pain, failed dental restorations, and advanced infections should also be treated immediately. Examples of dental emergencies include:

• Knocked-out tooth
• Loose adult tooth
• Broken or cracked tooth that causes severe pain
• Chipped tooth with sharp edges that cut the inside of the mouth
• Severe toothache that is not alleviated by over-the-counter pain medication
• Toothache that radiates pain through the jaw, ear and neck
• Loose or lost restorations (crowns, bridges, veneers, etc.) that cause severe pain
• Injury to the gums, tongue or cheek with bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Swelling in the mouth or facial area after an injury
• Abscess, swelling, or bulges on the gums
• Broken or loose braces

First Aid For Dental Emergencies

Whether your emergency dental appointment is in a few hours or the next day, there are several things you can do to alleviate pain and prevent further damage in the meantime. For toothaches, use a cold compress to lessen swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers combined with topical clove oil can help with discomfort. Knocked-out teeth can be re-inserted in the socket or stored in milk, and broken restorations such as crowns or bridges can be temporarily held in place with denture adhesive or sugar-free gum. For broken or cracked teeth, save the pieces to store in milk, and bite down on gauze to slow any bleeding. If you have an abscess on the gums, rinsing with salt water can help with inflammation, while cold compresses and painkillers can alleviate pain and discomfort.

Dental emergency treatments

The treatment available for dental emergencies will depend on the severity of the condition, but many conditions can be treated the same day. For example:

• Knocked-out teeth can be re-inserted into the socket, even after being stored in milk, but if saving the tooth is not possible, it can be replaced with a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial dentures.
• For broken, cracked, or chipped teeth, minor damage can be repaired with dental bonding, and more serious damage can be fixed with dental crowns or veneers.
• Lost or damaged dental restorations, such as crowns or bridges, can be replaced with temporary restorations until permanent replacements are made. Lost or broken fillings can be refilled the same day.
• Infected teeth or gums could require root canal therapy or extraction if severe enough. Your dentist will typically prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection.

COVID 19 Safety Measures

At Smile Designers, we’re serious about the safety of our patients and staff.  We have taken special measures to ensure proper sanitation and protection including:

• Staff wears N95 masks and appropriate PPE
• Dental chairs are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use 
• Use of special aerosol suction with UV chamber to reduce particle spread
• Limited patient capacity to ensure social distancing in the waiting area
• Patients are seen by appointment only and screened for risk factors over the phone

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, waiting for treatment can cause unnecessary pain, discomfort, and possibly further damage to your oral health. Call Smile Designers at (619) 222-6000 to schedule an emergency dental appointment right away.

At Smile Designers, we offer high-quality emergency dental care