Emergency Dentistry in Chicago, IL

A dental emergency is any oral problem that needs prompt care to stop pain, save a tooth, or head off a spreading infection. The most common ones we see include:

• Severe or persistent tooth pain
• A knocked-out, broken, or badly cracked tooth
• A lost filling or crown that leaves the tooth exposed
• Facial swelling or a dental abscess
• Uncontrolled bleeding or a mouth injury from trauma

When you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call us and let us help you decide. We would much rather see you and rule out a problem than have you wait at home while something serious develops.

Absolutely. You do not have to be an established patient to be seen for a dental emergency. We hold room in the schedule for urgent care and welcome new faces and longtime patients alike.

Just call our Chicago or Bourbonnais, IL office, describe what is going on, and we will work to get you in as soon as possible, often the very same day.

With a knocked-out tooth, the clock is everything. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally chew with, and avoid touching the root. Rinse it gently to remove any dirt, but don't scrub it or wipe away the tissue clinging to it.

If you can, ease the tooth back into its socket and hold it there. When that isn't possible, keep it moist in a cup of milk or in your own saliva rather than letting it dry out. Then head straight to our office, ideally within 30 minutes, for the best chance of saving it.

Often it can, though the answer depends on where the crack is and how deep it runs. Many cracked teeth are rescued with root canal therapy followed by a crown that holds the tooth together.

Some fractures reach below the bone line, and those may be beyond saving and need extraction. Dr. Raffi will examine the crack, take any imaging that is needed, and lay out your options clearly so you can decide on the best next step.

A few simple measures can take the edge off while you wait for your appointment. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed, rinse gently with warm salt water, and hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek to calm swelling. Steering clear of very hot and very cold foods and drinks helps too.

One thing to avoid: never rest an aspirin directly against the gum or tooth. It does not speed up relief and can actually burn the soft tissue. Stick to swallowing pain medication the usual way.

Head to the emergency room when a problem reaches beyond the teeth and gums. That includes bleeding you cannot stop with steady pressure, facial swelling that starts to affect your breathing or swallowing, a possible broken jaw, or trauma that involves other parts of the body.

For problems that stay within the mouth, such as toothaches, broken teeth, and infections, our office is usually the better destination. We are equipped to diagnose and actually treat the dental issue, where most ERs can only manage the pain and refer you onward.