For the nervous, the overdue, and the “this really hurts right now”

If the dentist makes you anxious

You’re far from alone, and you won’t be judged here — plenty of our patients haven’t been in years. We move at your pace, explain everything before it happens, and offer comfort options so you can finally get the care you’ve been avoiding.

• Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to take the edge off
• Oral conscious sedation for longer or more involved visits
• A team trained in sedation and airway safety — both doctors are ACLS-certified

What to do right now — before you reach us

A little first aid in the first hour genuinely changes the outcome. Here's what to do for the most common dental emergencies while you're on your way to us:

• Knocked-out (avulsed) adult tooth — a true emergency. Pick the tooth up by the crown (never the root), rinse it gently, and if you can, place it back in the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If you can't, tuck it in a cup of milk. Then get to us fast — the first 30 to 60 minutes matter most.
• Cracked or broken tooth — rinse with warm water, use a cold compress for swelling, and avoid chewing on that side until we see it. Save any pieces.
• Bad toothache — rinse with warm salt water and gently floss to clear any trapped food. Over-the-counter pain relief helps; put it on the gum, not directly on the tooth. Pain that's building rather than fading is your cue to call.
• Lost crown or filling — keep the crown if you have it, avoid chewing there, and temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth until we see you.
• Swelling in the gum or face — don't wait it out. Facial swelling or a fever with a toothache can signal a spreading infection; call us the same day — and seek urgent medical care if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

Is it actually an emergency?

When in doubt, call — we'll help you judge it over the phone. As a rule, same-day attention is warranted for severe or worsening pain, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, facial swelling, or bleeding that won't stop. A small chip with no pain, a lost filling with no discomfort, or mild sensitivity can usually wait a day or two — but tell us anyway so we can advise.

What an emergency visit costs

An emergency visit starts with a focused exam and any needed X-ray to pinpoint the problem — typically a modest visit fee — and then we give you a clear price for whatever treatment you choose before we do it. If you're in pain, cost should never be the reason you wait: call us and we'll be straight with you about your options, including financing and our in-house membership plan.