Dental Emergency?

Call us at (512) 832-1121 during office hours. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

If you're in pain, something is bleeding, a tooth is broken or knocked out, or you've lost a crown or filling, that's an emergency. You don't need to tough it out or wait for a scheduled appointment. Call us and describe what's happening — we'll tell you how quickly you need to be seen and get you in as fast as we can.

Common Dental Emergencies We Treat

  • Severe toothache — could indicate infection, abscess, or deep decay requiring prompt treatment
  • Chipped or broken tooth — especially when sharp edges are causing pain or cutting soft tissue
  • Knocked-out tooth — time is critical; call immediately and handle the tooth carefully (see below)
  • Lost filling or crown — can cause sensitivity and allows the tooth to shift or crack further
  • Dental abscess — a serious infection that can spread; symptoms include swelling, fever, and throbbing pain
  • Broken braces or wire — a protruding wire can injure the cheek or gums
  • Soft tissue injury — lacerations to the tongue, cheek, or gums from a fall or blow to the face

What to Do If a Tooth Is Knocked Out

A knocked-out permanent tooth can sometimes be saved if you act quickly. Here's what to do:

  • Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root
  • If it's dirty, rinse gently with water — do not scrub or use soap
  • If possible, place it back in the socket and hold it there
  • If that's not possible, keep it moist — store it in a glass of milk or hold it between your cheek and gum
  • Get to our office or an emergency dental clinic immediately — ideally within 30 minutes

What to Expect at Your Emergency Visit

When you arrive, we'll assess your situation quickly and focus first on relieving your pain. Then we'll diagnose the underlying issue and walk you through your treatment options before doing any work. If a procedure is needed, we'll complete it that day whenever possible — or schedule follow-up care right away.

Office Hours

Our office is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM and Friday 7:30 AM–1:00 PM. If you're calling outside these hours, please leave a message and we'll contact you as soon as the office opens. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a dental emergency?

If you're in significant pain, something is bleeding that won't stop, a tooth is broken or knocked out, or you've lost a crown or filling and the exposed tooth is very sensitive — that's an emergency. Don't wait for a scheduled appointment. Call us and describe what's happening and we'll tell you how quickly you need to be seen.

What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?

Pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty — don't scrub. If possible, place it back in the socket and hold it there. If not, keep it moist in a glass of milk or between your cheek and gum. Call us immediately — ideally you want to be seen within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Do you offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies?

We do our best to see urgent cases the same day during office hours (Mon–Thu 7:30 AM–4:30 PM, Fri 7:30 AM–1:00 PM). Call us as soon as possible so we can assess your situation and fit you in. The earlier you call, the better.

What if I have a dental emergency after hours?

Call (512) 832-1121 and leave a detailed message. We check messages when the office opens and will contact you at the start of the next business day. For life-threatening emergencies — difficulty breathing, severe swelling affecting the throat or airway — call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.