- (276) 466-9800
- Monday—Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm
Dental emergencies don’t wait for convenient times. Severe tooth pain, knocked-out teeth, broken restorations, and dental abscesses require immediate attention. When you’re in pain or facing a dental crisis, South Holston Dental Designs is here to help.
We see emergency patients as soon as possible—often the same day you call. Our goal is to get you out of pain quickly and address the underlying problem to prevent future emergencies.
Call (276) 466-9800 if you’re experiencing a dental emergency. We’ll get you in fast.
Severe Tooth Pain
Persistent, throbbing tooth pain—especially pain that wakes you at night or interferes with daily activities—usually indicates infection or severe decay reaching the tooth’s nerve.
What to do:
How we’ll help:
We’ll examine the tooth, take x-rays to identify the problem, and provide treatment to relieve your pain. This might involve:
We won’t send you home in pain. We’ll address the problem the same day whenever possible.
A completely knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency. With prompt treatment, we may be able to save the tooth.
What to do immediately:
Find the tooth – Handle it only by the crown (chewing surface), never touch the root
Rinse gently if dirty – Use only water, don’t scrub or use soap
Try to reinsert it – Gently place the tooth back in its socket if possible. Bite down on clean cloth to hold it in place.
If you can’t reinsert it:
Get to us immediately – Every minute counts. Call ahead so we’re ready for you.
Time is critical. The best chance of saving a knocked-out tooth is within 30 minutes to one hour.
Teeth can chip or break from trauma, biting hard objects, or weakening from large fillings or decay.
What to do:
How we’ll treat it:
Treatment depends on the extent of damage:
Cracks can range from minor (craze lines in enamel) to severe (splits extending into the root). You might feel sharp pain when chewing or sensitivity to temperature.
What to do:
Treatment options:
An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection. It causes severe pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of your body.
Warning signs:
What to do:
DO NOT delay treatment. Dental abscesses can become life-threatening if infection spreads.
How we’ll treat it:
We drain the abscess to relieve pain and pressure, prescribe antibiotics to fight infection, and address the underlying cause (usually root canal therapy or extraction).
While not usually painful, a lost filling or crown requires prompt attention to prevent further damage to the tooth.
What to do:
How we’ll help:
If your crown can be re-cemented, we’ll clean it and permanently reattach it. If it doesn’t fit anymore or is damaged, we’ll need to make a new one. For lost fillings, we’ll place a new filling to restore the tooth.
A broken denture or partial leaves you unable to eat or speak properly. Don’t try to fix it yourself with super glue—you could cause permanent damage.
What to do:
We can often repair broken dentures and partials the same day.
Food or objects wedged between teeth can be painful and cause swelling if not removed.
What to do:
We can safely remove stuck objects without damaging your teeth or gums.
Injuries to lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums can cause significant bleeding.
What to do:
For severe cuts or lacerations, you may need stitches.
Call us immediately if you experience:
Can usually wait for regular appointment:
When in doubt, call us. We’ll help you determine if you need immediate care or if it can wait for a regular appointment.
Same-Day Appointments
We reserve time in our schedule every day for dental emergencies. When you call with urgent needs, we’ll see you as quickly as possible—often the same day.
Pain Relief
Our first priority is getting you out of pain. We provide immediate pain relief while addressing the underlying problem.
Comprehensive Treatment
We don’t just treat symptoms—we fix the problem. Emergency treatment might include:
For severe emergencies outside regular business hours, our answering service can help you reach a doctor.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While not all emergencies can be prevented, you can reduce your risk:
Regular Dental Checkups
Many emergencies result from untreated decay or failing restorations. Regular checkups catch problems early before they become emergencies.
Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
Address tooth sensitivity, pain, or problems promptly. Small issues are easier and less expensive to fix than emergencies.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you play contact sports, wear a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth from trauma.
Don’t Use Teeth as Tools
Never use your teeth to open packages, crack nuts, or hold objects. Use proper tools instead.
Be Careful with Hard Foods
Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and other extremely hard foods that can crack teeth.
Wear a Nightguard if You Grind
Teeth grinding (bruxism) weakens teeth and makes them prone to fracture. A custom nightguard protects them.
Address Decay and Damage Promptly
Don’t delay treatment when you know you need it. Waiting turns small problems into emergencies.
We’ll See You Quickly
When you call with an emergency, we’ll get you in as soon as possible. If you’re in severe pain, we’ll do everything we can to see you the same day.
Immediate Evaluation
We’ll examine the affected area, take x-rays if needed, and determine the cause of your problem.
Pain Relief First
Our priority is getting you out of pain. We’ll provide anesthesia and begin treatment to relieve discomfort.
Treatment Plan
We’ll explain what’s wrong, what needs to be done, and provide treatment options. In some cases, we can complete treatment the same day. In others, we provide immediate relief and schedule follow-up for definitive treatment.
Clear Instructions
Before you leave, we’ll provide detailed instructions for care at home, prescribe medications if needed, and schedule any necessary follow-up appointments.
Managing Pain at Home
While waiting for your emergency appointment or after treatment:
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) – Most effective for dental pain. Take as directed on package.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – Alternative if you can’t take ibuprofen.
For severe pain: You can alternate ibuprofen and acetaminophen every 3 hours (check with us or your doctor first).
Cold Compress
Apply ice pack or cold compress to outside of face near painful area for 15 minutes at a time. This reduces swelling and numbs pain.
Salt Water Rinse
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water. Swish gently and spit. This helps clean the area and reduce inflammation.
Avoid Irritants
Elevate Your Head
Sleep with head elevated on pillows. This reduces blood flow to the area and decreases throbbing pain.
Never Apply These to Teeth or Gums
Children experience dental emergencies too—knocked-out baby teeth, broken teeth, and toothaches.
For children:
Baby teeth knocked out: Unlike permanent teeth, we typically don’t try to reinsert baby teeth. Call us for evaluation to ensure no damage to permanent tooth developing beneath.
Emergency treatment costs vary depending on the procedure needed. We’ll always discuss costs before beginning treatment so you know what to expect.
Insurance typically covers:
Most plans cover emergency treatment at the same percentage as routine care.
For patients without insurance:
We offer affordable cash rates and payment plans. Don’t let cost prevent you from getting care you need—dental infections and emergencies can become serious if untreated.
Most dental emergencies are best handled at our office, not a hospital ER. However, go to the ER if you experience:
For all other dental emergencies, call us first. We can provide better dental care than an ER, and you’ll avoid long waits and high hospital bills.
Why Choose Us for Emergency Care?
Fast Appointments
We reserve time daily for emergencies and see urgent cases as quickly as possible—often the same day.
Experienced Team
Our doctors have extensive experience handling all types of dental emergencies. We know how to get you out of pain and fix the problem.
Comprehensive Treatment
We don’t just provide temporary fixes—we address the underlying problem to prevent future emergencies.
Advanced Technology
Digital x-rays, 3D imaging, and modern equipment help us diagnose problems accurately and treat them effectively.
Comfortable Care
Even in emergency situations, we ensure you’re comfortable. We use effective anesthesia and take time to explain what we’re doing.
Follow-Up Support
We don’t just treat and forget. We schedule follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns.
Don’t Wait—Call Now
Dental pain and emergencies don’t improve on their own. The sooner you get treatment, the better your outcome and the less discomfort you’ll experience.
Whether it’s a routine cleaning, a dental implant, or a complete smile transformation
– our team is ready to help. Accepting new patients. Same-day emergency