Emergency Dentist in Gilbert AZ: Same-Day Care When You Need It Most
Dental emergencies don't wait for convenient appointment times. Here's what to do — and how Arizona Smiles can help — when dental disaster strikes.
Having a Dental Emergency Right Now?
Call us immediately at 480.963.5089
We reserve time in our schedule for same-day emergency appointments. If you're experiencing severe pain, bleeding, swelling, or have a knocked-out tooth, don't wait — call now.
A sudden toothache at 2 AM. A crown that pops off during dinner. A sports injury that chips your front tooth. Dental emergencies are stressful, painful, and always seem to happen at the worst possible time.
At Arizona Smiles in Gilbert, Dr. Sam Bollwinkel and our team understand that when you're in pain, you need help fast — not an appointment three weeks from now. That's why we reserve time every day for emergency patients and prioritize getting you out of pain as quickly as possible.
In this guide, we'll cover what qualifies as a dental emergency, what to do before you reach us, and how we treat the most common urgent dental situations.
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental problem requires immediate attention, but some situations can't wait. Here's how to tell the difference:
Seek immediate care for:
• Knocked-out permanent tooth (time-sensitive!)
• Severe, uncontrollable bleeding
• Significant facial swelling
• Severe pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication
• Signs of infection (fever, swelling, pus)
• Broken jaw or facial trauma
Call for a same-day appointment for:
• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Lost filling or crown
• Persistent toothache
• Broken denture or dental appliance
• Object stuck between teeth
When in doubt, call us. We'd rather hear from you and determine it's not urgent than have you suffer unnecessarily or risk complications from delayed treatment.
Common Dental Emergencies: What to Do
Here's a quick-reference guide for the most common dental emergencies we see:
| Emergency | Immediate Steps | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Knocked-out tooth | Handle by crown only. Rinse gently, try to reinsert or keep in milk. Get to dentist within 30 minutes. | CRITICAL |
| Severe toothache | Rinse with warm salt water. Take OTC pain reliever. Apply cold compress to cheek. | Same day |
| Cracked/broken tooth | Rinse mouth. Save any pieces. Apply cold compress. Cover sharp edges with wax or sugarless gum. | Same day |
| Lost crown/filling | Save the crown. Use dental cement or toothpaste as temporary adhesive. Avoid chewing on that side. | Within 24-48 hrs |
| Abscess/infection | Rinse with salt water. Do not apply heat. Take pain reliever. Seek care immediately. | CRITICAL |
| Soft tissue injury | Apply pressure with clean gauze. Use cold compress. If bleeding doesn't stop in 15 min, go to ER. | Same day |
Knocked-Out Tooth: Every Minute Counts
A knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. If treated within 30 minutes, there's a good chance the tooth can be saved. After two hours, the odds drop significantly.
Find the Tooth
Pick it up by the crown (the white part you see when you smile) — never touch the root.
Rinse Gently If Dirty
Use water only — no soap, no scrubbing. Don't remove any tissue fragments attached to the root.
Try to Reinsert
If possible, gently place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place by biting on a clean cloth.
Keep It Moist
If you can't reinsert it, place the tooth in a cup of milk, saline solution, or hold it inside your cheek. Never let it dry out.
Get to Us Immediately
Call ahead so we can prepare. Time is critical — the faster you get here, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Note: These steps apply to permanent teeth only. Baby teeth should not be reimplanted as this can damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.
Emergency Dental Services at Arizona Smiles
Same-Day Appointments
We reserve time daily for emergencies. When you call with urgent pain, we'll get you in — often the same day.
Pain Relief Priority
Our first goal is always to get you out of pain. We'll address the immediate crisis, then plan any follow-up care.
Same-Day Crowns
Broken tooth? With CEREC technology, we can often restore it with a permanent crown in one visit.
Tooth Replacement Options
If a tooth can't be saved, we offer dental implants and other replacement options to restore your smile.
Advanced Technology
Digital X-rays provide instant imaging for accurate diagnosis. 3D scans help us plan complex treatments precisely.
Compassionate Care
We know emergencies are stressful. Our team provides calm, reassuring care to help you through a difficult situation.
Severe Toothache: Finding the Cause
A toothache is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. While occasional sensitivity is normal, severe or persistent pain needs professional attention. Common causes include:
Deep decay: Cavity has reached the nerve, causing intense pain. May require root canal therapy or extraction.
Cracked tooth: Cracks can expose the inner pulp to bacteria and temperature changes. Treatment depends on severity.
Abscess: Bacterial infection at the tooth root or gum. This is serious — infections can spread and become life-threatening if untreated.
Gum disease: Advanced periodontal disease can cause pain, especially when chewing.
Failed restoration: Old fillings or crowns can fail, allowing bacteria to reach the tooth underneath.
While waiting to see us, you can manage pain with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, cold compresses on the outside of your cheek, and rinsing with warm salt water. Avoid very hot, cold, or sweet foods that might aggravate the pain.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can't prevent every emergency, many can be avoided with proper care:
Wear a mouthguard: If you play sports — even recreational ones — a custom mouthguard protects against chips, cracks, and knocked-out teeth.
Don't use teeth as tools: Opening packages, biting nails, or chewing ice puts unnecessary stress on teeth.
Keep up with regular checkups: Many emergencies start as small problems that could have been caught earlier. Regular visits let us identify and treat issues before they become painful.
Address problems early: That small chip or mild sensitivity? Getting it treated now is easier, less expensive, and less painful than waiting until it becomes an emergency.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings prevent the decay and gum disease that lead to many dental emergencies.
Patients who maintain regular six-month checkups experience significantly fewer dental emergencies than those who only visit when something hurts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept emergency patients who aren't regular patients?
Yes. While we love seeing our existing patients, we welcome anyone experiencing a dental emergency. Call us, explain your situation, and we'll do our best to see you as quickly as possible.
How much does emergency dental care cost?
Costs vary depending on the treatment needed. We'll provide a clear estimate before beginning any treatment. We accept most dental insurance and offer flexible payment options for those without coverage.
What if my emergency happens after hours?
Call our office number and follow the prompts for after-hours emergencies. For life-threatening situations (difficulty breathing, severe uncontrolled bleeding, or suspected broken jaw), go directly to the emergency room.
Can a knocked-out tooth really be saved?
Yes — if you act quickly. Teeth reimplanted within 30 minutes have the best chance of survival. Even up to an hour, there's still hope. The key is keeping the tooth moist and getting to us as fast as possible.
Should I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
ERs can manage pain and infection but typically can't provide definitive dental treatment. For most dental emergencies, you'll get faster, more appropriate care at a dental office. Go to the ER if you have difficulty breathing, uncontrollable bleeding, or suspect a broken jaw.
Emergency Dental Care at Arizona Smiles
At Arizona Smiles, we've been serving Gilbert families for over 28 years — and we've seen every type of dental emergency imaginable. Dr. Sam Bollwinkel and our team are experienced in handling urgent situations calmly and efficiently, getting you out of pain and on the path to recovery.
Our investment in technology like CEREC same-day crowns means we can often complete treatment in a single visit — so you're not walking around with a temporary fix while waiting for a lab. And our comprehensive services mean that whatever follow-up care you need — from a smile makeover to dental implants — we can handle it right here.
Dental Emergency? We're Here to Help.
Don't suffer in pain. Call Arizona Smiles now for same-day emergency care in Gilbert.
Call 480.963.5089 Schedule Online