Emergency and Urgent Dental Care

If you or your child experience a dental emergency, contact our office immediately. For urgent issues after hours, call our emergency phone number, and our on-call staff will assist you. If you cannot reach us during a true emergency, dial 911.

We are available to help any time, any day. When your or your child’s dental health is at risk, we do everything possible to ensure prompt care. While dental emergencies are uncommon, it’s important to know how to respond and protect your teeth.

Typical Dental Emergencies and What to Do

Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Teeth: Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling. Save any broken tooth fragments and bring them with you to the office as soon as possible.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth: Time is critical. Gently rinse the tooth without scrubbing the root. If possible, try to place the tooth back into the socket. If that isn’t possible, keep it moist in a small container of milk or saliva and call us immediately for emergency care.
Severe or Persistent Toothache: A sudden, intense toothache may indicate an infection or abscess. Rinse with warm salt water and use dental floss to ensure no food is trapped. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums, as this can cause irritation; contact us promptly to address the cause.
Objects Stuck Between Teeth: Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. Never use sharp or pointed tools, such as pins or needles, which can damage teeth or gums. If floss doesn’t work, call our office for guidance.
Broken or Dislocated Jaw: This is a serious injury that needs immediate attention. Apply a cold compress to control swelling and go to the nearest emergency room or call our office immediately. If breathing or swallowing is difficult, dial 911.
Lost Filling or Crown: Although not always painful, a lost restoration leaves the tooth exposed. Keep the crown if possible, maintain cleanliness in the area, and contact our office promptly to have it recemented or replaced.

Cracked Teeth and the Risks They Pose

Modern lifestyles often expose our teeth to years of wear and stress, including habits like clenching, grinding, or chewing on hard objects. Over time, these actions can make teeth more prone to cracks.

Cracked teeth may require treatment to prevent further damage to the tooth structure and surrounding tissue. Early intervention can help preserve your natural teeth and avoid more extensive procedures in the future.

Not all cracked teeth show visible damage. Common symptoms include sudden or inconsistent pain while chewing and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Because the discomfort may come and go, identifying the exact tooth causing the problem can sometimes be challenging.

What Causes Pain from Cracked Teeth?

When the outer layer of a tooth cracks, chewing can cause the pieces to move slightly, irritating the pulp inside. As you release pressure, the crack can snap shut, triggering a sharp, sudden pain. This cycle of irritation can repeat with every bite.

Over time, the pulp may become too damaged to heal on its own. The tooth can start to hurt not only during chewing but also when exposed to hot or cold temperatures.

If left untreated, a cracked tooth can eventually cause persistent pain and may lead to infection, which can spread to the surrounding bone and gum tissue, putting your overall oral health at risk.

Different Types of Cracked Teeth

The type, location, and severity of a crack determine the best treatment approach and the likely outcome for your tooth.

Craze Lines: Tiny cracks that affect only the outer enamel. Extremely common in adult teeth, these are shallow, painless, and primarily a cosmetic concern.
Fractured Cusp: Occurs when a cusp (the pointed part of the chewing surface) weakens and breaks. Sometimes it breaks on its own, or an endodontist may need to remove it. Pain is usually relieved, and the pulp is rarely affected, so root canal treatment is seldom required. The tooth is typically restored with a full crown.
Cracked Tooth: Cracks that extend from the chewing surface vertically toward the root. The tooth may not be completely split, but pulp damage is common, often necessitating root canal treatment. A crown can hold the pieces together and protect the tooth. If the crack extends below the gum line, extraction may be needed.
Split Tooth: Often the result of a long-standing cracked tooth. The tooth shows distinct segments that can be separated. A split tooth cannot be saved intact, but in some cases, part of the tooth may be preserved with endodontic treatment and a crown or other restoration.
Vertical Root Fracture: Cracks that begin in the root and extend toward the chewing surface. These fractures often have minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed until infection affects the surrounding bone and gum. Treatment may require extraction, though in certain cases, endodontic surgery can save part of the tooth.

How to Prevent Cracked Teeth

Though cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks.

Avoid chewing hard items like ice, popcorn kernels, or pens.
Refrain from clenching or grinding your teeth.
Use a mouthguard or protective mask during contact sports.

Spotting Cracks Early Matters

Identifying cracks early is crucial. Even with advanced magnification and specialized lighting, assessing the full extent of a crack can be difficult. If left untreated, a cracked tooth can worsen over time and may eventually need to be removed. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are key to preserving these teeth and maintaining your smile.

Explore Our Helpful Video Guides

Causes of Tooth Pain

This video explains common reasons for tooth pain and how it can signal underlying dental issues. Learn how a dental exam can help identify the root cause and provide relief.

Progression of Decay

Watch as we walk you through the stages of tooth decay, from early signs to advanced stages. This video will guide you on how to prevent further damage and maintain your child's oral health.

Recurrent Decay (Around a Restoration)

This video illustrates how decay can return around a previous restoration. Discover why regular checkups are crucial for preventing further issues and keeping your restoration intact.

Trauma- Fractured Tooth (Complicated)

Learn about the process of assessing and treating a fractured tooth. This video highlights the steps involved in restoring your tooth after trauma, ensuring both function and appearance.

Trauma- Chipped Tooth

This video shows how a chipped tooth can be treated effectively. See the steps involved in restoring your smile and preventing further damage with timely dental care.

Trauma- Fractured Tooth

Explore how periodontal probing helps assess the health of your gums after a tooth fracture. This video demonstrates the importance of maintaining gum health to avoid complications in the healing process.

Trauma- Horizontal Root Fracture

This video explains the importance of checking the gums after a horizontal root fracture. See how periodontal probing can help detect gum issues and guide proper treatment for recovery.

Root Resorption

Learn how root resorption affects the health of your teeth and gums. This video highlights the role of periodontal probing in identifying and managing this condition to maintain oral health.

Dental Tumor

Watch how a periodontal probe helps detect the presence of tumors around your teeth. This video explains the importance of early detection for effective treatment and better oral health outcomes.

Dental Erosion

This video shows how dental erosion can impact your teeth and gums. See how periodontal probing helps identify the signs of erosion, enabling early intervention to protect your smile.

Sensitive Teeth

Learn how periodontal probing can assess gum health and help manage tooth sensitivity. This video demonstrates how tracking gum changes can reduce discomfort and improve overall dental health.

Vertical Root Fracture

Watch how periodontal probing can detect vertical root fractures and their effect on gum health. This video highlights the importance of early detection for preserving your oral health.

Crack Due to Large NCCL Filling

This video highlights how a large NCCL filling can lead to cracks in your teeth. Learn how periodontal probing helps monitor gum health and prevents further complications.

Periodontal Abscess

Discover how a periodontal abscess forms and the importance of monitoring gum health. This video shows how detecting early signs can help prevent more serious oral health issues.

Root Surface Decay

Watch how root surface decay can affect the health of your teeth and gums. This video emphasizes the significance of periodontal probing to identify and manage gum disease early.

Posterior Wear

See how posterior wear can damage your teeth and gums. This video explains the role of periodontal probing in detecting gum health changes, ensuring proper treatment to maintain oral wellness.