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Emergency Dentist – Springfield

Relieving Dental Pain Quickly & Comfortably

a woman holding her mouth and speaking with a dentist

Although you never expect yourself to be in a position where you or a loved one are having a dental emergency, it happens more often than you might believe. In fact, it is estimated that one in six Americans face one every year. When the unexpected strikes, do not panic. Contact your emergency dentist in Springfield. Our team can treat a wide variety of dental emergencies in-house. We understand that time is of the utmost importance, which is why we try to see you the same day. With Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, the fast, compassionate care you need is only a phone call away.

Why Choose Advanced Dental Care of Springfield for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day, Evening & Weekend Emergency Appointments
  • A Caring & Experienced Team of 3 Dentists
  • We Accept Dental Insurance & Offer Flexible Financing

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

a dentist showing a patient their X-ray

  1. Call Our Team: The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing dental pain or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms is to call our team at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield. We’ll let you know how you should handle your situation, provide you with first aid guidance, and if necessary, schedule a same-day appointment for you.
  2. Come in for an Examination: When you arrive, our team will guide you back to one of our treatment rooms and help get you comfortable. Depending on your situation, we may take X-rays for your emergency dentist to review, and you’ll receive a thorough oral examination.
  3. Get Treated: Based on our emergency dentist’s findings, our team will outline and explain your treatment recommendations with you. In some cases, we may be able to provide you with treatment the same day you come in, but in others, we will schedule your procedure for a date in the near future.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

When facing a dental emergency, your first thought may be to head to your closest hospital; however, they are not capable of treating oral health issues. Unless you have uncontrollable bleeding or suspect that you have a broken jaw, you should contact your dentist right away. With emergency dentistry in Springfield, we will help to save your tooth from needing to be removed while stopping your discomfort.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

a man paying for dental care

The cost of your dental emergency visit and treatment will depend on a number of factors that can vary from patient-to-patient, like whether you need X-rays and what type of procedure you require to get your oral health back on track. In any case, our staff will do everything we can to help you save by filing insurance claims on your behalf. We also offer additional flexible financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Cherry so you can split the cost of your visit up into smaller monthly payments.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

two sibling brushing their teeth together

It’s impossible to prevent a dental emergency from occurring. However, there are several ways to reduce your risk of experiencing an unexpected dental problem, including:

  • Maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene routine.
  • Visiting our team every six months for your checkups and cleanings.
  • Protect your teeth from grinding and clenching.
  • Get proper protection for your mouth if you play sports.
  • Avoid bad oral habits like using tobacco products and chewing on your nails.

If you experience any dental issues, whether you feel like they require urgent attention or not, we encourage you to call our team for guidance!

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

While the physical discomfort might go away, the problem that actually caused your toothache in the first place will not. In fact, if a toothache does suddenly fade, it could mean that the problem has gotten worse! For example, in the case of a cavity, this could indicate that the decay has damaged nearby nerve endings, impairing your ability to sense pain.

Because of this, we encourage patients to call our office in the event of a toothache, even when it stops causing discomfort.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

The ER is exactly where you should go if you’re experiencing something that could potentially be life-threatening. If you’ve been dealing with tooth pain and develop a fever, for example, please do go to the nearest ER. An oral condition plus a fever could mean you have a bad infection that requires urgent treatment.

Otherwise, it will usually save you time and money to contact your emergency dentist in Springfield first. Most ERs aren’t equipped to treat oral problems effectively and will refer patients to a nearby dentist.

How Can a Dental Abscess Be Treated?

A dental abscess might look a lot like a pimple, but make no mistake, it is far more sinister, and you should not attempt to pop it! These bumps that can form near the gumline aren’t the result of acne – they develop in cases of infection. As such, they’re filled with pus and diseased fluid. If you break an abscess open without proper preparation, you could end up spreading the infection.

Your emergency dentist in Springfield has the tools and training needed to drain an abscess safely. They’ll also be able to determine the severity of your infection and provide additional treatment if necessary.

Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?

Potentially. Even if it’s a minor chip, this type of dental damage does still make your tooth more vulnerable to bacteria and further breakage. There’s also a possibility the inner tooth structure is exposed or has experienced physical trauma, and the only way to know for sure is to have an experienced dentist look at it.

That said, if your chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, you may not necessarily need same-day treatment. Addressing the issue in a timely manner is still very much recommended, but it’s generally safe to wait a day or two for an appointment.

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Yes, a toothache in Springfield is a dental emergency, especially since it can be caused by many different issues. If you develop any of the following symptoms, do not wait to call our office and schedule an appointment:

  • Sharp pain when biting down
  • Discoloration of the tooth and those nearby
  • A small bump forms on the gums
  • Sharp tooth sensitivity
  • Pain that remains for more than 24 hours
  • Fever, swelling, and fatigue – all signs of an infection

How you should handle a toothache: If you think there might be something stuck between your teeth that is causing the pain, try using dental floss to remove it. If you discover this is not the problem, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use a cold compress to minimize discomfort and swelling. You can also use a warm saltwater rinse to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

How we treat toothaches: We must first identify the source of the toothache and will do this by taking X-rays of your mouth and performing a visual examination. Once we determine the problem – a cavity, cracked tooth, gum disease, infection, etc. – we will administer the appropriate method of treatment, which might include tooth-colored fillings, custom dental crowns, periodontal therapy, or tooth extraction.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a chipped tooth is considered a dental emergency; however, it’s not always necessary to seek immediate care on the same day. Instead, you can often wait a few days before seeing your dentist, but you want to make sure you don’t wait much longer, as the tooth can become more vulnerable to damage and infection.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: While at home, make sure to retrieve any portions of the tooth and bring them with you to your appointment. In the meantime, use sugarless gum or dental wax to cover any jagged areas of the tooth to prevent soft tissue damage. You can also rinse your mouth to remove additional debris. Make sure to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the chipped tooth.

How we treat chipped teeth: Our team of experts will look at the chipped portion of the tooth and determine if any pieces can be re-bonded. If you are concerned because the tooth is in a visible area of your smile, and you want a more permanent solution, we can discuss the idea of having a custom veneer created.

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes, you should plan to call our office right away if you develop a cracked tooth in Springfield. Additional damage and infection can occur if left untreated, so you don’t want to wait any longer than you have to.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Start by rinsing out your mouth so that debris and bacteria are flushed away. You can then use a cold compress and OTC medication to reduce discomfort and swelling. While waiting for your appointment, do not attempt to chew with the side of your mouth that contains the cracked tooth. Also, be sure to cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugarless gum.

How we treat cracked teeth: Treating a cracked tooth usually requires the use of a customized dental crown. If the damage is minor, we will use composite resin to cover the area so that it remains better protected and cannot be seen by others. If the crack is severe, we’ll need to create a customized dental crown, so the tooth remains safeguarded against further damage while strengthening over time.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

  • Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Sensitive teeth are actually a fairly common problem. Most of the time, this occurs due to natural wear and tear. However, if your sensitivity becomes severe, lasts for multiple days, or only affects a specific tooth, call us immediately. You might have dental damage or an infection.
  • How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Take OTC pain relievers as necessary, and avoid substances that can trigger your sensitivity, such as overly hot or cold foods. When you contact our office, we’ll be able to provide you with more specific guidance based on your situation.
  • How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: If natural wear and tear is causing your sensitivity, we can provide your pearly whites with extra protection through treatments like fluoride applications or dental veneers. If the underlying problem is an infection, cavity, or gum disease, we’ll have to perform more restorative treatments like fillings, a root canal, or periodontal therapy.

Knocked-Out Tooth

  • Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, and you’ll have to act quickly in order to give your tooth the best chance of being reinserted. Once you’ve secured your tooth and taken care of any injuries, call our office so we can schedule you for an emergency appointment!
  • How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: First, try to locate your tooth. If you manage to find it, pick it up by the crown only. Do not touch the roots. You can briefly rinse it off with warm water, then promptly store it in a container with milk or saline.
  • How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: We’ll do our absolute best to reinsert your knocked-out tooth! However, be aware that it might not be salvageable. If that’s the case, we’ll talk with you about your tooth replacement options. Losing a tooth is unfortunate, but we can provide you with a seamless dental implant, bridge, or partial denture.

Lost Filling or Crown

  • Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? You likely won’t need same-day treatment, but a lost filling or crown can leave your tooth unprotected against the elements. We recommend calling our office in this situation so we can see you as soon as possible.
  • How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: Try to find your filling or crown. If you manage to do so, secure it in a safe container and take it with you to your appointment. Don’t forget to check yourself for injuries and administer first aid, especially if your restoration was dislodged by physical impact!
  • How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: In some cases, we can simply recement the restoration and avoid having you wait for a replacement. If this isn’t possible, we’ll provide you with any necessary protection to keep your tooth safe while your new restoration is being crafted.

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Patients often assume that the answer is “no.” However, the longer you wait, the more likely it is that the damage will worsen. For that reason, we recommend calling us when you first realize that something is wrong – whether it’s a small chip or a severe break.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture First, call us to schedule an appointment. Then, protect your denture from further harm by placing it in a small, clean container.

How We Treat Broken Dentures First, we will see if we can repair your denture at our office. If the damage is severe, then we may be left with only one choice: to have a new restoration made. The silver lining is that this is a great opportunity to upgrade to implant dentures!

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTURES

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a loose permanent tooth warrants an immediate visit with one of our talented and experienced emergency dentists in Springfield. So, call us right away!

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth Whether your appointment is in a few hours or a few days, it’s important that you avoid doing anything that could loosen the tooth further, like eating hard pretzels, raw almonds, or any other crunchy foods.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth If saving your tooth with a dental splint is possible, then that’s the route we will take. If the tooth needs to be extracted, then we will begin working on a custom dental bridge or implant so the strength of your bite and the appearance of your smile aren’t compromised for long.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL BRIDGES

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Although soft tissue injuries like these certainly require your immediate attention, they don’t usually warrant a visit to our office.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Even small cuts often produce a lot of blood, which is why we recommend rinsing your mouth with clean, cool water first. Then, use a clean, damp washcloth or gauze to apply pressure. Within 10 minutes, the bleeding should stop and, at that point, you can use a cold compress to alleviate lingering inflammation and pain.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Oftentimes, soft tissue injuries can be handled at home with the previously mentioned steps. That said, you should go to the ER if the cut continues to bleed after 10 minutes.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Typically, jaw pain is not a dental emergency. It’s important to know, however, that you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us if you’re hurting. From there, we’ll get an exam on the calendar and guide you through how to alleviate your pain in the short term.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain There are a few ways you can ease inflammation and discomfort, including using a cold compress and taking OTC pain medication. However, the only way to get the long-lasting relief you deserve is by addressing the root of the problem.

How We Treat Jaw Pain After completing a comprehensive oral exam and determining the cause of your pain, Dr. Victoria Driskill and Dr. John Neely will review your treatment options – from having a custom nightguard made to having your wisdom teeth extracted.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If a piece of food gets lodged between your teeth, don’t use a toothpick or another sharp object to try and remove it. Instead, rinse with warm saltwater to loosen it. Then, use floss to gently remove it.