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Emergency Dentist in Lake Elsinore & Wildomar, CA
For severe tooth pain, a knocked-out or broken tooth, or a swollen gum, call a dental office right away and say it's an emergency. The ADA says most dentists reserve daily time for emergency patients. Go to a hospital ER or call 911 for spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or jaw trauma.
Go to the ER or call 911 first if you have:
A dental infection can spread into the floor of the mouth and neck. MedlinePlus warns that this kind of infection (Ludwig angina) can swell quickly and block the airway. Facial injuries can also involve broken jaw bones. Get emergency medical care first in these situations, then see a dentist for the tooth itself.
- Facial swelling spreading toward the eye, under the jaw, or down the neck
- Fever with facial swelling
- Trouble breathing or swallowing, or drooling because you can't swallow
- Bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure
- Jaw trauma, a suspected broken jaw, or teeth that suddenly don't meet properly after an injury
Problems a dentist should see the same day
Call a dental office as soon as it opens, or right away during office hours, for severe or throbbing tooth pain, a knocked-out adult tooth, a tooth pushed out of place, a large break, or a swollen gum or pimple-like bump near a tooth. MedlinePlus says to seek care for a severe toothache, a toothache lasting more than a day or two, or a toothache with fever, earache, or pain when opening wide.
These can usually wait until the next day: a lost filling or crown without severe pain, a small chip, or a broken orthodontic wire you can cover with wax.
What to do before you're seen
Knocked-out adult tooth: the ADA says to keep it moist. Hold it by the crown, not the root, and try to put it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it between your cheek and gum or in milk, and get to a dentist right away. The first hour matters most. Knocked-out baby teeth should not be put back in.
Toothache: rinse with warm water and gently floss out any trapped food. Don't put aspirin on the tooth or gum, because it can burn the tissue. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help until you're seen. For a broken tooth, rinse and use a cold compress on your cheek. Save any broken piece.
Why an abscess needs a dentist, not just antibiotics
MedlinePlus explains that the pain of a tooth abscess may ease if pressure is released, but the infection stays active and keeps spreading. Antibiotics can help control it, but the source has to be treated with a root canal, drainage, or extraction. Untreated abscesses can lead to life-threatening complications.
Cost of emergency dental care
An emergency visit usually starts with a focused exam and X-ray. Treatment depends on the cause and may be a filling, root canal, extraction, or a temporary fix to stabilize things. Ask whether the exam fee is applied to same-day treatment, and ask for an estimate before any work begins.
Emergency dental care in Lake Elsinore
Diamond Dental, on Canyon Estates Drive in Lake Elsinore, says it offers same-day care for urgent dental problems when possible and welcomes new patients of all ages. Its general dentists include Dr. Homayoun Pourshirazi, DMD, Dr. Thai Dang, DDS, and Dr. Jesse Felema, DDS. The practice uses digital X-rays and 3D imaging, offers sedation for anxious patients, and accepts Cherry, Sunbit and CareCredit financing. Other practices in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta and Menifee are listed below. Call ahead to confirm same-day availability.
What it typically costs
- Emergency exam + X-ray
- $75 – $250
- Tooth-colored filling
- $150 – $450
- Simple extraction
- $75 – $300
- Surgical extraction
- $225 – $650
- Root canal, front tooth
- $600 – $1,100
- Root canal, molar
- $850 – $2,500
Worried about the cost? See every real way to bring it down.
Verified practices in the Lake Elsinore, CA area
Diamond Dental ✓ Verified
Other dental practices in Lake Elsinore
Diamond Dental
A Rincon DDS Inc
Amit Shah & Aarti Puri D.D.S Inc
Anita C. Singh, DDS, Inc
B. Deirmenjian, DDS, Inc.
Cabrera Arellano Dental Corp
David J Carlisle DDS Inc
Dental Office Of Albert Rincon DDS Inc.
Derek B. Hauser, DDS, Inc.
Dr Rusen Elsinore Friendly Smiles Dental Inc
See all dental practices in Lake Elsinore →
Nearby: Wildomar · Murrieta · Menifee
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to the ER or an emergency dentist?
Go to the ER, or call 911, for facial swelling that is spreading, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or jaw injuries. For tooth pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or a swollen gum without those warning signs, a dentist is the right place, since hospital ERs generally can't fix the tooth itself.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe or throbbing pain, a knocked-out adult tooth, a tooth pushed out of position, a large break, and swelling around a tooth all need same-day attention. A lost filling or small chip without severe pain can usually wait a day. When in doubt, call the office and describe your symptoms.
How much is an emergency dental visit without insurance?
An emergency exam with an X-ray is commonly $75–$250 self-pay nationally, before any treatment. The total depends on what's needed, such as a filling, extraction, or root canal. Ask for an estimate before treatment starts.
What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?
Pick it up by the crown and keep it moist. Try to put it back in the socket, or keep it in milk or between your cheek and gum, and get to a dentist right away. Don't put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.
Can a tooth infection go away on its own?
No. MedlinePlus notes that abscess pain may ease if pressure is released, but the infection stays active and can spread. A dentist needs to treat the source, usually with a root canal, drainage, or extraction.
What can I do for tooth pain at night?
Rinse with warm water, gently floss around the tooth, and use an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label if it's safe for you. Don't put aspirin on the gum. Call a dentist in the morning, and go to the ER if swelling spreads or breathing or swallowing becomes difficult.
Related
- Emergency dentist or ER? The full guide
- Emergency dental care
- Toothache
- Knocked-out tooth
- Tooth abscess & swelling
- The 3-3-3 rule for toothache
Sources
- ADA MouthHealthy: Dental Emergencies
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Toothaches
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Tooth Abscess
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Ludwig Angina
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Facial Trauma
General dental-health information, not medical or dental advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and vary by practice and case. For facial swelling that spreads, trouble breathing or swallowing, or bleeding that won't stop, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.