Emergency Care
Something happened. Call us.
Toothaches, broken teeth, lost crowns, dental trauma — when something goes wrong, you need a practice that responds. We make room for urgent appointments and we will not leave you in pain longer than we have to.
When to call us immediately
What counts as a dental emergency
Some situations cannot wait for a routine appointment. Call us right away if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Severe tooth pain — especially throbbing, persistent pain or pain that wakes you at night
- Significant facial swelling — particularly around a tooth or along the jaw
- A broken or fractured tooth , especially with sharp edges or visible nerve exposure
- A knocked-out tooth — time is critical for the chance to save it
- A lost or broken crown or filling , especially if the tooth underneath is sensitive
- Bleeding that will not stop following dental treatment or trauma
- A loose tooth following an injury
- Significant trauma to the mouth or jaw
If you are experiencing severe symptoms during office hours, call us at (352) 293-2800. We will work to get you in the same day whenever possible.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms outside of office hours, leave a voicemail with your situation and we will respond as quickly as possible. For genuinely life-threatening emergencies — uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, severe trauma — go to the emergency room.
What to do while you wait
First steps
For a knocked-out tooth:
Time is critical. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with milk or saliva — not water. If possible, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it there. If that is not possible, store it in a cup of milk and bring it with you. Call us immediately. The sooner we see you, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
For severe pain:
Over-the-counter pain medication (ibuprofen, if you tolerate it) and a cold compress against the outside of your face can help in the short term. Call us as soon as possible — pain that is severe enough to wake you up is usually a sign of an underlying problem that needs attention.
For a broken tooth:
Save any pieces you can find. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze. Call us immediately.
For a lost crown or filling:
Save the crown if possible — sometimes we can re-cement it. The exposed tooth may be sensitive; over-the-counter dental wax or temporary filling material from a pharmacy can protect it until you can see us. Call us to schedule.
For significant facial swelling:
This usually indicates an infection that requires prompt treatment. Call us immediately. If swelling is severe — affecting your ability to swallow or breathe — go to the emergency room.
What to expect
Your emergency appointment
When you arrive, we will move quickly to address what is bothering you. The first goal is always to get you out of pain or stabilize the situation. Once that is done, we will explain what we found, what your options are for definitive treatment, and what your next steps should be.
In some cases, the emergency visit fully resolves the problem. In others, it is the first step in a longer treatment sequence — for example, an emergency extraction may eventually lead to an implant, or an emergency root canal may be followed by a crown. We will lay out the full picture so you know what to expect.
Existing patients
Our patients come first
If you are an established patient at our practice and you experience a dental emergency, you are our priority. Call the office at (352) 293-2800 as soon as possible — during business hours we will work to see you the same day, and after hours we monitor messages and respond as quickly as we can.
New to us
New to the practice?
We welcome emergency visits from patients who are not yet established with us. Call (352) 293-2800 and explain your situation — we will do our best to fit you in. After your emergency is resolved, you are welcome to remain with us as a regular patient (and we hope you will).
Frequently asked
Common emergency questions
How fast can you see me?
For genuine emergencies during business hours, often the same day. For after-hours emergencies, we respond to messages as quickly as possible and arrange care on the next available basis. For severe situations outside our hours, the emergency room is the right resource.
Will it cost more than a regular appointment?
The cost of an emergency visit depends on what we do — diagnosis, X-rays, treatment. We will be transparent about cost at the appointment. Insurance coverage applies the same way it would for any visit.
I have a toothache but I am scared to come in. What should I do?
Call us anyway. Toothaches almost never resolve on their own — they usually get worse. We can talk through what is going on by phone and figure out the right next step. There is no judgment for waiting too long.
Should I go to the emergency room or to your office?
For genuinely life-threatening situations — uncontrolled bleeding, severe trauma, difficulty breathing — go to the ER. For dental-specific issues — pain, broken teeth, lost restorations — call us. The ER cannot do most of what is needed for dental problems.
I do not live in Lake County. Can you still see me?
Yes. We see patients from across Central Florida, and we have helped urgent travelers and visitors from much farther. Call us and explain your situation.
Need help right now?
Call us at (352) 293-2800. If you are calling outside of business hours, leave a message and we will respond as quickly as we can.