Emergency Dentist Chicago

We’re Here to Make Your Smile a Priority

Woman holding her jaw in pain while visiting emergency dentist in Chicago

Emergency dentistry may not be something you think you will ever need, but Dr. Mahler and our team at Smile 312 Chicago's Premier Dentist are here to make your smile a priority should an injury occur. Timely treatment can often mean the difference between saving a tooth and replacing it with an artificial one, so do not hesitate to call us if you sustain any kind of dental injury, as we are pleased to provide same-day appointments for patients in need of an emergency dentist in Chicago.

Why Choose Smile 312 Chicago's Premier Dentist for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • We Spare No Expense on High-Tech Innovation
  • Personalized Approach Ensures Greater Clarity Among Patients
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I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I Have Jaw Pain View Our Services

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman wincing in pain while talking to dentist

Even if two patients arrive with chipped teeth, their treatment plans will likely vary. But no matter the type of service you receive, you can expect the same steps to be followed:

  • Call to schedule an appointment – You will need to alert us of your dental injury so that we can accommodate you in-house. We’ll offer first-aid tips you can use to manage any pain at home before arriving for your appointment.
  • Complete a thorough examination – Once you are in our office, Dr. Mahler and our team will take images of your smile and examine the problem area.
  • Develop a treatment plan – After reviewing the affected tooth and analyzing our findings, we will craft a treatment plan that includes how we expect to address the problem as well as how much we can expect it to cost.
  • Deliver timely care – The last step is to complete the desired treatment so that your smile looks and feels brand-new once everything is finished.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

You may not think that your chipped tooth or lacerated gum tissue is a serious dental emergency, but the only way to know for sure is to call and speak to a member of our Smile 312 Chicago's Premier Dentist team. Whether we recommend that you come in right away or not, you can better understand what and how we treat certain injuries by reviewing the details below.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

If you have a hurting tooth, you shouldn’t ignore this symptom. Pain is the body’s way of alerting to a problem, and your toothache could indicate deep decay, an enamel fracture, or other issue making your tooth vulnerable. Unfortunately, even if a toothache goes away, the problem behind it will persist until you seek professional help. Our team can help you get relief from discomfort as well as help your smile heal.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

After calling our office for an immediate appointment, you may take over-the-counter pain medication as directed. To help control swelling as well as numb the area, place a cold compress on your face. Keeping that part of your mouth clean can be challenging when it’s painful to the touch, which means you should rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Avoid triggering pain by staying away from overly hot or cold foods or drinks and do not use that area of your mouth to eat, if needed.

How We Treat Toothaches

Depending on the cause of your pain, treatment can vary. The most common problem for toothaches is a deep cavity or crack, which often requires root canal treatment. To restore the tooth afterward, a dental crown can keep the tooth from becoming reinfected or damaged further.

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Sometimes, a chipped tooth is only a cosmetic issue, but most who experience it want it fixed right away because of the significant impact it can have on their appearance. Plus, a chipped tooth may not be able to bite and chew properly, affecting function as well as aesthetics. Therefore, you should consider this situation a dental emergency and contact us for an urgent visit.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

If you can, locate the piece(s) of your tooth—we may be able to reassemble it. A chipped tooth may have a sharp point or edge on it, so to protect your tongue, cheek, gums, and lips from getting cut, you can cover the tooth with sugar-free gum.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth 

In most instances of chipped teeth, we can cover the flaw with a porcelain veneer or fill in for the lost tooth structure with cosmetic bonding. Veneers are often preferred for their durability and realistic appearance. For severe chips, a dental crown may be more appropriate to restore the tooth.

Learn More about Veneers

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Should you feel a tooth crack, know that it does count as a dental emergency. A cracked tooth is compromised and can expose the inner layers to oral bacteria. To prevent further breakage and infection, the tooth must be treated as quickly as possible by Dr. Mahler.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

When you’ve called us, we recommend swishing warm saltwater in your mouth to gently clean it and avoiding biting or chewing with that area of your mouth. If the tooth is causing you pain, you may take a reliever from the drugstore to manage your discomfort.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth 

In many cases, a tooth that has cracked to the point where you notice it is significantly damaged. As a result, a cosmetic fix like a veneer or bonding typically won’t work in this scenario. Deep cracks most often need to be treated with root canal treatment because the pulp or nerve center of the tooth is exposed to bacteria. Then, a dental crown can be used to hold the tooth together again. In cases where the crack extends beneath the gumline, extraction may be the only viable course of action, at which point Dr. Mahler will discuss your replacement options with you.

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Learn More about Tooth Replacement

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth