Emergency Dentistry

Common dental emergencies include: a knocked-out or loosened tooth, a cracked or broken tooth, a severe toothache, swelling in the face or gums, a lost filling or crown, an abscess or infection, uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction or injury, and pain that prevents you from eating or sleeping. When in doubt, call us—we’d rather see you and find out it’s minor than have you wait with a serious issue.

Time is critical. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it’s dirty, gently rinse with water but do not scrub or remove any tissue fragments. Try to place it back in the socket and hold it there. If you can’t, keep it moist in milk or between your cheek and gum. Call us immediately—acting quickly gives the best chance of saving the tooth, so call us right away.

While waiting for your appointment: take over-the-counter pain medication (ibuprofen works well for dental pain), apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes on and off, rinse gently with warm salt water, and avoid extremely hot, cold, or sweet foods. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums—this can cause burns. Call us as soon as possible so we can address the underlying cause.

Yes. We reserve time in our schedule specifically for emergency patients. If you call during our office hours (Monday through Thursday, 8AM to 5PM), we will do our best to see you the same day. Call 303-841-8888 and let the front desk know it’s an emergency so we can prioritize your visit.

If your emergency happens outside of our office hours, call our main number and follow the prompts for after-hours care. For life-threatening situations involving difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or facial trauma, go to your nearest emergency room immediately. For dental issues that can wait until morning, follow home care instructions above and call us first thing when we open.

The cost depends on the type of emergency and treatment needed. An emergency exam and X-ray is typically $100 to $200. Additional treatment (like a temporary repair, extraction, or root canal) is billed based on the procedure. Most dental insurance plans cover emergency care. We’ll always explain costs before proceeding with any treatment beyond the initial assessment.

Keep the crown or filling if you can find it. For a lost crown, you can temporarily place it back on the tooth using denture adhesive or toothpaste (not regular glue). Avoid chewing on that side. For a lost filling, a small piece of sugar-free gum can temporarily cover the cavity to protect it. Call us as soon as possible to have it properly repaired or replaced.