Family & General Dentistry
Emergency Dental Care
Tooth pain, a broken tooth, a knocked-out tooth: call us. We see dental emergencies promptly, with same-day care whenever possible.
Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. A cracked tooth, a sudden toothache, a tooth knocked out after a fall: these need attention quickly, and figuring out who to call shouldn’t be part of the problem. A real person answers our phone 24/7, including nights and weekends, so reach out any time and we’ll help you figure out what to do next.
Not every dental problem is a true emergency, but a few signs mean don’t wait: a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, pain that’s severe or getting worse, visible swelling, an abscess, or bleeding that won’t stop on its own. If you’re not sure, call anyway. We’d rather talk it through than have you guess.
While you’re on your way
- Toothache: rinse with warm water and use over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Don’t place aspirin directly against the gums.
- Knocked-out tooth: handle it by the crown (not the root), keep it moist, back in the socket if possible or in milk, and get here as fast as you can. Time matters more here than almost anywhere else in dentistry.
- Broken tooth or lost crown: save any pieces you can find and avoid chewing on that side until you’re seen.
- Swelling: a cold compress can help on the way in. Significant facial swelling, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, needs the emergency room, not a dental appointment.
What a visit looks like here
During office hours (Monday through Thursday), we make every effort to work emergencies into the schedule the same day. Your visit starts with an exam and digital X-rays, so we can see exactly what’s going on, a hairline crack, a failing old filling, the extent of a break, that isn’t always visible to the eye alone. From there, we walk you through what we’re seeing and what your options look like, without pressure.
A lot of emergencies can be resolved in that same visit. A broken or heavily damaged tooth is often a good candidate for a same-day CEREC crown, no temporary, no second numbing appointment. When treatment calls for anesthetic, we use the STA Wand, a computer-controlled system that delivers it more gently and precisely than a traditional syringe. For anything that needs more than we can address here, like a severely infected tooth, we’ll help get you to the right specialist quickly rather than let you wait.
Whether you’re a longtime patient or brand new to us, if you’re in pain, you’re welcome here. New patients get a link to complete forms online once the visit is scheduled, so there’s no paperwork to slow things down when you arrive. Families across the Conejo Valley call us for exactly this reason: when something goes wrong with a tooth, you want someone who actually picks up the phone.
Common questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe or worsening tooth pain, a knocked-out or broken tooth, significant swelling, an abscess, or bleeding that won’t stop. When in doubt, call. We’ll tell you how urgent it is and what to do right now.
My tooth was knocked out. What do I do?
Time matters. Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it, and if possible place it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Then call us immediately. A tooth replanted quickly has the best chance of being saved.
Can you see me the same day, even after hours?
We make every effort to see emergencies the same day during office hours (Monday through Thursday). A real person also answers our phone 24/7, including nights and weekends, and can walk you through what to do right away. For uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or trauma beyond the teeth, go to the emergency room first.
What should I do if I think I have a cracked tooth?
A cracked tooth often aches when you release biting pressure and reacts to cold. An emergency exam with X-rays helps locate the crack and determine the best path forward, anything from a bite adjustment to a same-day crown, or a referral for extraction planning in more severe cases.
My tooth doesn’t hurt — could something still be wrong?
Yes. A tooth’s nerve can be damaged by bacteria, trauma, or old dental work and die without ever causing pain. An exam and X-ray can catch this even when the tooth feels completely normal, so it gets addressed before it turns into a bigger problem.
Can a sinus infection cause tooth pain?
It can. The roots of the upper back teeth sit close to the maxillary sinuses, so sinus pressure or infection can feel a lot like a toothache. A genuine dental problem can feel similar too, so if the pain is significant or doesn’t go away, it’s worth having it checked rather than guessing.