Go to the hospital or call 911 instead if you have swelling that is spreading to your eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever with a dental infection, or a jaw injury from an accident.
What counts as a dental emergency
Call us if you have:
- a toothache that keeps you up or won't settle
- a broken, chipped or cracked tooth
- a tooth knocked out or pushed out of place
- swelling in your gum or face
- a lost filling or crown
- a broken denture
- bleeding that won't stop after a tooth was pulled
What to do before you get here
- Knocked-out adult tooth: pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it briefly if it's dirty, and put it back in the socket if you can. If not, keep it in milk and call right away. Time matters.
- Broken tooth: rinse with warm water and save any pieces.
- Toothache: rinse with warm water and floss gently in case something is stuck. Don't put aspirin directly on the gum, because it can burn the tissue.
- Swelling: a cold pack on the outside of your cheek can help.
- Lost crown: keep it and bring it with you.
How the emergency visit works
- Call. Tell us what happened. We try to fit you in the same day.
- X-ray and exam. Both are covered by the $79 emergency visit.
- Your options. We explain what is causing the problem, what needs to happen now and what can wait, with the cost of each, so you know your options the same day.
What emergency care costs
The $79 emergency visit includes the X-ray and exam. Any treatment after that, such as a filling, root canal or extraction, is priced separately, and you know the cost before you decide. Our front desk can review your insurance benefits with you.
Why patients come to us in an emergency
- $79 emergency visit with X-ray and exam
- We try to see emergency patients the same day
- Sedation options may be available if you feel nervous
- Two dentists in the office, one of them a prosthodontist for broken or lost teeth
- In Dearborn Heights on Ann Arbor Trail, with parking out front
Questions patients ask
Can you see me today? We try to. Call as early in the day as you can and we'll tell you the soonest time.
Do I need to be a patient already? No. We welcome new patients.
What if it happens when the office is closed? If you have spreading swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, go to the emergency room or call 911. Otherwise, call us as soon as the office opens.
Will you pull the tooth? Only if it can't be saved, and only after you've agreed. Often a filling, crown or root canal can keep the tooth.
How much does it cost? $79 for the emergency visit, X-ray and exam. You know the cost of any treatment before you decide.
Learn more: Crowns and bridges · General dentistry, including extractions