Emergency dentistry
Call before 11 am and we will see you today. Pain relief comes first, then a clear plan with costs before any treatment.
How emergency dentistry works at Brightside
Dental emergencies rarely wait for a convenient time. We keep appointment slots open every weekday morning specifically for urgent care, and a doctor checks the after-hours line on evenings and weekends.
Your emergency visit includes a focused exam, any x-rays needed and pain relief. When it is safe to finish treatment the same day, such as a smoothing a broken edge, placing a temporary crown or starting a root canal, we do.
"If you understand what is happening in your mouth, you get to make the decisions. My job is to make that easy."Dr. Maya Okafor, DDS, FAGDDental emergency? Here is what to do right now
Pick what happened for calm, step-by-step first aid. Then grab one of today's same-day chairs. General guidance only, not medical advice.
Best saved within 60 minutes
Do this now
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, never the root.
- Rinse it gently with milk or water for a few seconds. Do not scrub.
- Push it back into the socket if you can and bite on clean gauze.
- If it will not go back, keep it in a cup of milk and come straight in.
Please avoid
- Wrapping the tooth in a tissue or letting it dry out
- Touching or cleaning the root surface
See us the same day
Do this now
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- Save any pieces in a small bag or cup.
- Hold a cold compress on your cheek for 10 minutes to calm swelling.
- Chew on the other side until we can look at it.
Please avoid
- Biting on hard foods, ice or pens
- Very hot or very cold drinks on that side
Same day if it throbs or swells
Do this now
- Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon in a cup).
- Floss gently in case food is trapped.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as the label directs.
- Sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow.
Please avoid
- Putting aspirin directly on the gum
- Heat packs on your face if there is swelling
Within a day or two
Do this now
- Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you.
- Cover the sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax.
- A dab of toothpaste can hold a crown in place for a short time.
- Call us to book a quick repair visit.
Please avoid
- Household glue of any kind
- Chewing sticky foods on that side
What is included
Everything listed here is part of the visit, not an add-on.
- Focused emergency exam
- Digital x-ray of the problem area
- Pain relief and numbing
- Temporary fillings or crowns when needed
- Antibiotic prescription if infection is present
- Written treatment options with costs
- Follow-up call the next day
What to expect, start to finish
We explain each step before it happens, and you can pause at any time.
Call us
Tell our team what happened. We will give first-aid steps and a time to come in.
Quick exam
We find the source of pain with a focused exam and a single x-ray.
Relief
Numbing, drainage or a temporary repair gets you comfortable fast.
Options
You get a written plan and costs for any final treatment.
Check-in
We call the next day to make sure you are feeling better.
Why patients choose it
Seen today
Reserved morning slots mean no week-long wait in pain.
Save the tooth
Fast care is often the difference between a repair and an extraction.
No surprise bills
Treatment only starts after you see the price.
Calm, kind team
Nervous patients get extra time and comfort options.
Cost and what affects it
Emergency exams are usually covered by PPO plans. Prices are sample figures; if you are in severe pain, call 911 or visit an ER for facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing.
Insurance, membership and financing- Emergency exam and x-rayNew patients without insurance, sample$59
- Temporary fillingSample range$95 to $140
- Simple extractionSample range$185 to $260
- Start of root canalCredited toward full treatment$350 to $450
From a patient
Cracked a molar on a Saturday. The on-call doctor called me back in 20 minutes and I was seen first thing Monday.
Related services
Emergency dentistry FAQ
Have a different question? Call (614) 555-0111 and ask for our patient care team.
Severe toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, swelling in the gums or face, a lost crown on a front tooth and bleeding that will not stop all deserve a same-day call.
Pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently, try to place it back in the socket, or keep it in milk. Call us right away, because the best chance of saving it is within 60 minutes.
Yes. Many of our long-time families first met us during an emergency. Call and we will fit you in.