Should You Go to the ER or an Emergency Dentist?
For most tooth problems, an emergency dentist is the better choice. Hospital emergency rooms can treat pain and infection with medication, but they usually can't repair a broken tooth, perform a root canal, or save a knocked-out tooth. You'll likely still need to see a dentist afterward.
Go to the ER or call 911 if you have:
- Swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, or that makes it hard to breathe or swallow
- A suspected broken jaw or other serious facial injury
- Heavy bleeding that doesn't slow after 10 to 15 minutes of firm pressure
- A high fever with facial swelling
Once the ER has stabilized you, call us to treat the tooth itself.
How to Get Seen Today
- Call first: Calling (972) 314-2600 is the fastest way to get seen. We'll ask about your symptoms and find the earliest available time, giving priority to patients in severe pain.
- New patients are welcome: You don't need to be an existing patient to get emergency care.
- What to bring: Your insurance card, a list of medications you take, and any tooth or crown pieces.
Some Emergency Treatments We Provide
When you arrive, we'll take X-rays, examine the problem, and explain your options before starting any treatment. Our priority is relieving your pain.
Emergency Root Canal Therapy
When decay or a crack reaches the pulp, the inner part of the tooth that holds its nerves, it can cause intense pain and infection. An emergency root canal removes the infected tissue, relieves the pain, and saves your natural tooth. Most patients feel relief soon after treatment.
Broken and Chipped Tooth Repair
A small chip can often be repaired with tooth-colored bonding in a single visit. Larger breaks may require a crown to protect the remaining tooth. If a break reaches the nerve, a root canal may be needed first. We always try to save your natural tooth.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
If a tooth is too damaged or infected to save, removing it can stop the pain and keep infection from spreading. We'll make sure you're comfortable during the procedure and talk with you about replacing the tooth with an implant, a bridge, or a partial denture once you've healed.
Abscess and Infection Treatment
We'll find the source of the infection, drain the abscess if needed, and treat the tooth with a root canal or extraction. If needed, we may also prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection.
Lost Crowns and Fillings
We can often recement a crown that's come off, or place a new filling to protect the tooth and stop sensitivity.
Denture Repairs
A cracked or broken denture can leave you unable to eat comfortably. Bring your denture in, and we'll repair it or make a plan to replace it.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and activities like skateboarding.
- Don't chew ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels, and don't use your teeth to open packages.
- Don't ignore early warning signs like sensitivity or mild pain; small problems are easier to fix.
- Keep up with checkups and cleanings so we can catch cracks, worn fillings, and decay early.
Paying for Emergency Dental Care
When you're in pain, cost shouldn't be the reason you wait. Before we begin any treatment, we'll explain what you need and what it will cost, so there are no surprises.
Using Your Insurance
Many PPO dental plans cover emergency exams and X-rays, and part of the treatment that follows. We're in-network with Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Guardian, Humana, United Concordia, GEHA, Ameritas, Assurant, and Principal Life, and we accept many other PPO plans as well. Bring your insurance card, and our team will verify your benefits, handle the paperwork, and submit your claim.
No Insurance? Our Dental Savers Plan
Our Dental Savers Plan is a simple alternative to insurance for patients without coverage. For a yearly membership of $94 per person, or $188 for a family with children under 18, members save on many types of dental care. Ask our team how to join.
Pay Over Time
An emergency doesn't have to mean one large bill. Through Sunbit®, you can spread the cost of treatment across monthly payments, and checking your options doesn't involve a hard credit inquiry. CareCredit® and our in-office installment plans are also available.
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Visit www.carecredit.com for details.
Other Ways to Pay
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, as well as debit cards, cash, and checks. You can also use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for treatment.
Meet Dr. Jae An, DDS
When you call with a dental emergency, you'll be cared for by Dr. Jae An, a dentist trained to handle urgent and complex cases. After graduating from NYU College of Dentistry with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, he completed a general practice residency at Jersey City Medical Center. In this hospital-based training program, dentists treat a wide range of patients and urgent cases.
Before dental school, Dr. An studied biology at the University of Maryland, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. He later completed the RSDM/AAID MaxiCourse in Implant Dentistry. That means if a tooth can't be saved after an emergency, he can plan its replacement too, rather than referring you elsewhere. He has also trained in facial injectables.
Caring for patients in need is a thread throughout his career. In 2007, he founded the SOMA Dental Mission of New York, a nonprofit that organizes mission trips to provide dental care to people who might otherwise go without it.
At home, Dr. An is a husband and dad to his daughter, and a musician who plays the piano, guitar, drums, and cello.
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