Quality Dental Care When You Need It
Just like a good plumber, it’s smart to have an emergency dentist’s number in your phone, because when you need one, you usually need them right now. Should you or a loved one ever develop terrible dental pain due to a toothache or knocked out tooth, know that you can always call Connection Dentistry. Our team is able to handle all types of dental emergencies, and same-day care is available so that Raleigh residents can get the relief they deserve without delay.
Why Choose Connection Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
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Same-Day Appointments Welcome
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Team Led by 2 Highly-Experienced Dentists
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Hassle-Free Financing Makes Urgent Care Affordable
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-day emergency appointment: Whether you’re dealing with a toothache or broken/knocked out tooth because of an accident, the best thing you can do is give our dental office a call right away. Explain your situation over the phone, and our team will let you know exactly what to do and if you should come see us the same day.
- Emergency exam: As soon as you get to our office, Dr. Rensch or Dr. Laster will get you seen for an emergency exam and capture X-rays if necessary to locate the source of your problem. They'll also work to get you out of pain.
- Review findings: Once the exam is complete, we will go over our findings, then recommend a treatment that will best address your symptoms. We'll also break down the estimated costs and expected length of your care ahead of time.
- Get the care you need: Our team works quickly to address any and all of your dental emergency concerns. Common treatments performed to handle dental emergencies include but are not limited to dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and extractions.
Our priority is to relieve your pain fast and protect your long-term oral health. With advanced technology and a caring team, you’ll receive efficient and effective care every step of the way. When unexpected dental issues arise, you can count on our trusted emergency dentistry in Raleigh to restore your comfort and peace of mind quickly.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Many different types of dental emergencies can occur, which is why it helps to know how to manage them ahead of your emergency appointment. Before you arrive at our practice, keep the following tips in mind to take control of your dental emergency.
Toothaches
Toothaches
Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Many patients automatically assume that the answer is “no,” but there are actually several cases where the answer is “yes.” For example, if you have a pimple-like bump on your gums, you’re experiencing pain when biting down, or your gums are bleeding when you floss, you shouldn’t wait to reach out to our Raleigh dental team.
How You Should Handle a Toothache In addition to scheduling an exam with us, there are a few things you can do from home. That includes rinsing your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater, not eating anything crunchy or acidic, and using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time. If you’re in a lot of pain, you can also take OTC pain medication as instructed.
How We Treat Toothaches Before we recommend a treatment, we need to take X-rays and examine your tooth. Only then can we determine which restorative service is ideal (i.e., tooth-colored filling, dental crown, root canal treatment). Rest assured that we will answer any questions you have and provide you with an estimate of the price before getting started.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped Tooth
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? That depends. Although we always recommend scheduling an appointment before the end of the week, we may recommend coming in sooner if you’re in pain or the chip is so substantial that your tooth is at risk of breaking further.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth We recommend using clean, lukewarm water to rinse your mouth thoroughly. Then, to prevent soft tissue injuries or uncomfortable sensitivity, place a piece of sugar-free gum over your chipped tooth.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth Veneers are one of the most popular treatments for chipped teeth. In addition to being able to fix small and large chips, the entire process can be completed in as little as two visits. Plus, the results can last for well over a decade with proper care.
Cracked Tooth
Cracked Tooth
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? There are a few reasons a cracked tooth is considered a dental emergency, including that even minor damage can result in an infection or your tooth splitting further. To ensure that we intervene before that happens, get in touch with us ASAP to schedule an appointment.
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth Since your tooth is vulnerable to additional damage, we don’t recommend chewing on that side of your mouth or engaging in any unhealthy dental habits, like smoking. You should also rinse periodically with clean water to help prevent bacteria from collecting on your tooth.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth As you may have guessed, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. If the crack is small enough that we can save your tooth, then we may recommend a dental crown. If, on the other hand, the damage is substantial enough that we need to extract it, then we will put a dental bridge or implant in its place.
Sensitivity to Hot & Cold
Very Sensitive Teeth
Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? While sensitive teeth can be annoying and bothersome, they’re not always considered an emergency. Of course, it’s still a good idea to contact us and explain your situation so we can decide when you should come in for your appointment. Your discomfort might be caused by an abscess, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, or severe cavity.
How you should handle sensitive teeth: Until your appointment, stay away from foods and beverages that are hot, cold, acidic, spicy, or sweet. Be very careful when brushing and flossing. If the pain becomes difficult to manage, take an over-the-counter pain reliever for some relief.
How we treat tooth sensitivity: Our team needs to examine your mouth thoroughly to determine the underlying problem. That way, we can determine the best to address sensitive teeth. We may recommend anything from fluoride treatments to tooth-colored fillings to root canal therapy.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Knocked-Out Tooth
Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Absolutely! You’ll want to seek treatment quicky if you want a good chance of saving your tooth. Give us a call right away to schedule a same-day appointment. The sooner you get to us, the more likely we’ll be able to reimplant your tooth.
How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Time is of the essence, so immediately pick up your knocked-out tooth (handling it by the biting surface) and rinse it under cool water. Place it in a sealable container of milk or salt water to keep it viable and bring it to your emergency appointment.
How we treat knocked-out teeth: If your tooth is still intact and mostly viable, we might be able to place a splint and reintegrate the tooth with the bone and tissues. On the other hand, a tooth that is damaged beyond repair will need to be replaced with a solution like a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant.
Lost Filling or Crown
Lost Filling or Crown
Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? It’s normal to panic when you realize you’ve lost a dental crown or filling. Although it’s not an emergency if that happens, you should still give us a call to schedule an appointment. We’ll help lower your risk of developing an infection.
How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Find the missing restoration and bring it with you to our office. We can try to temporarily reseat the crown to your tooth using dental cement. However, we do not recommend the same solution for a filling.
How we treat lost fillings or crowns: A lost crown or filling can be addressed by re-bonding it back into place or having a new restoration made. If your filling or crown is damaged, we will recommend a replacement.
Broken Denture
Broken Dentures
Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? You don’t want to wear damaged dentures because they could injure your gums, jawbone, remaining teeth, and the soft tissues inside your mouth. It’s best to contact us as soon as possible to let us know what happened. We’ll schedule an appropriate appointment time to see you.
How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Avoid putting your broken restoration in your mouth because it can lacerate the soft tissues of your gums, cheeks, and lips. Also, don’t try to fix them at home with super glue or other household items because these are not usually intended for internal use and can be toxic or harmful.
How We Treat Broken Dentures: The treatment will depend on the severity of the injury. We can sometimes address small cracks and chips in your artificial teeth with tooth-colored composite resin to restore their appearance. However, if your dentures can’t be repaired, we’ll provide you with new ones. If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, now is a great time to consider dental implants for a more resilient replacement tooth.
Loose Tooth
Loose Permanent Tooth
Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Also referred to as ‘extruded’ or ‘partially dislodged,’ a loose permanent tooth isn’t ever considered normal. Whether it happened gradually over time or as the result of an injury, it’s essential to address it immediately because it’s at risk of falling out.
How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: To prevent dislodging your loose tooth, avoid touching it or eating anything too hard or sticky that might yank it out of place. Swish with warm water to remove any food particles or bacteria that might cause sensitivity or inflammation.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: If a dental implant is loose, we can bolster it with a bone graft or other procedure. If it’s one of your permanent adult teeth, we may have to consider extracting it and providing a suitable replacement, like a dental bridge or implant.
Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury
Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Lacerations to the soft tissues of your mouth can be quite alarming because they tend to bleed. However, our team is happy to help mend minor injuries related to team sports or other high-contact activities.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Keep the cut clean by gently rinsing with water to prevent an infection. Then, apply pressure with a clean washcloth or a piece of gauze to slow the bleeding until it stops. To address associated aches and inflammation, you can apply an ice pack. It’s usually also safe to take over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: We’ll stitch the wound closed to ensure it heals efficiently. If we cannot stop the bleeding, we may have to refer you to the local emergency room for additional assistance.
Jaw Pain or Clenching
Jaw Pain
Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? If your discomfort is mild, you might not consider your situation overly urgent. Unfortunately, jaw pain is often associated with other oral issues and should be addressed as soon as possible.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: When you call us for an appointment, we’ll provide specific instructions based on your unique circumstances. Often, it’s safe to take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol to relax your jaw muscles and ease swelling and discomfort.
How We Treat Jaw Pain: If it’s due to bruxism or chronic teeth grinding, we can provide a nightguard to shield your teeth from the constant pressure of clenching them at night. An aching jaw can also be due to impacted wisdom teeth, which require extraction to preserve your oral health.
Something Stuck Between Teeth
Something Stuck Between the Teeth
Is Something Stuck Between the Teeth a Dental Emergency? It may not require immediate attention, but it should be addressed immediately if it’s causing pain or irritation. Furthermore, you could damage your teeth or gums if you try to remove it yourself.
How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between Your Teeth: Don’t try to pry it out with tweezers, forks, knives, or other sharp objects. Try gently flossing to see if it slips free, or rinse your mouth vigorously with warm water to dislodge it.
How We Treat Something Stuck Between the Teeth: Our team has the experience and equipment to remove anything jammed between your teeth without risking your oral health.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry in Raleigh, NC
We know that emergency dental care is always an unexpected expense, which can incite some panic and anxiety. Don’t worry though – our Raleigh dental team will provide you with an estimate of the cost beforehand, explain all of the financial solutions available, and answer any questions you have. That way, understanding the cost of your treatment is stress-free instead of stressful.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can never be completely avoided, however there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk and protect your smile. It’s always better to be proactive rather than having to spend your time and money on a painful injury. That’s why we’ve included some easy tips on how to prevent dental emergencies in Raleigh below.
What To Do Before Your Emergency Visit
Dental emergencies can feel overwhelming, but taking the right first steps can make a big difference. Here are simple ways to stay safe and comfortable before your appointment for urgent dental care:
- For tooth pain: rinse with warm salt water & use a cold compress
- For bleeding: apply gentle pressure with clean gauze
- For a knocked-out tooth: keep it moist in milk & avoid touching the root
- For swelling: use a cold compress in short intervals
- Avoid chewing on the injured side or placing aspirin on gums
If you're unsure what to do, contact us right away, our experienced team provides quick, compassionate care through emergency dentistry in Raleigh to restore your comfort and peace of mind.
Relief from Dental Pain is Just a Call Away
Dental pain can strike at any moment — but help is just a call away. At Connection Dentistry, we provide fast, compassionate emergency dentistry in Raleigh to relieve discomfort and restore your smile’s health. Whether it’s a sudden toothache or a knocked-out tooth, our team is ready to help you right away. Call us now or schedule your same-day appointment online!
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Accidents are never completely avoidable, which is why it’s important to always be prepared for the worst-case scenario. When you contact your emergency dentist in Raleigh right away, you can reduce your risk of developing additional problems that could have permanent effects on your oral health. In situations where time is of the essence, acting quickly and efficiently is key. That’s why we’ve collected some of the most common questions we get from our patients for your convenience.
Will my dental insurance cover my emergency visit in Raleigh, NC?
Coverage for emergency dentistry varies by insurance plan. Our team can help verify your benefits and file claims for you. We also offer flexible financing options like CareCredit and Compassionate Financing to make urgent care manageable.
Should I visit the ER first for a dental emergency in Raleigh, NC?
Visit the ER first if you have severe facial trauma, heavy bleeding, or trouble breathing or swallowing. For urgent but non-life-threatening tooth injuries, call us right away for emergency dentistry in Raleigh so we can provide prompt care.
What’s considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency includes severe tooth pain, swelling, bleeding, or trauma to your teeth or gums. If you’re unsure whether your situation needs urgent attention, it’s better to be safe and call our office. We provide emergency dentistry in Raleigh and can quickly determine if you need same-day care to prevent the issue from worsening.
Will a toothache go away on its own?
A toothache may fade temporarily, but that usually means the nerve is damaged — not healed. Ignoring it can lead to serious infection or tooth loss. Contact our Raleigh emergency dentist right away so we can diagnose the issue and prevent it from worsening.
Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?
No, never pop a dental abscess. Doing so can spread infection and make the problem more serious. Call us immediately for emergency dentistry in Raleigh, and our team will safely treat the infection and relieve your pain.
Should I worry about a chipped tooth if it doesn’t hurt?
Yes. Even without pain, a chipped tooth can crack further or become infected. Contact our Raleigh dental office as soon as possible. We can guide you over the phone and let you know if same-day treatment is needed.
What could be causing jaw pain?
Jaw pain can result from teeth grinding, TMJ issues, stress, or even wisdom teeth. Visit our Raleigh dental office for an evaluation, imaging and an exam will help us pinpoint the cause and provide the right treatment.
Should you put a knocked-out tooth in water?
You can rinse a knocked-out tooth with water, but do not soak it in water. Instead, place it back in the socket (if possible) or store it in milk. Call our office immediately for emergency dentistry in Raleigh, quick action can save the tooth.