Emergency Dentist in Oak Lawn, IL

When to Call an Emergency Dentist

A dental emergency can be anything that causes pain, infection, or damage to your teeth, gums, or jaw. If you’re unsure whether your issue is urgent, we recommend calling our office right away. Our team will talk through your symptoms and determine whether you need immediate care.

Common reasons to seek emergency dental care include:

• Severe or persistent tooth pain
• Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
• Facial swelling or abscess near the gums
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop after an injury
• Lost or broken filling, crown, or bridge
• Pain after a recent dental procedure

Delaying care in these situations can lead to complications, including infection or permanent tooth loss. Our Oak Lawn emergency dentist is here to provide fast relief and long-term solutions.

What Happens During an Emergency Visit?

When you arrive at our office for emergency dental care, we’ll quickly assess the situation and take any necessary images or X-rays. From there, Dr. Michael B. Smith will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your condition.

Treatment options may include:

• A temporary or permanent dental filling if a cavity or trauma is causing the pain
• A new or repaired dental crown for broken or damaged teeth
• root canal therapy for infections inside the tooth
• Tooth extraction when a severely damaged or infected tooth cannot be saved
• Prescriptions for antibiotics or pain relief when necessary

We also offer follow-up care to ensure your recovery is on track and that any restorative work — like a permanent crown or bridge — is completed.

Knocked-Out Tooth? Time Matters.

If you’ve lost a tooth due to trauma, it’s important to act quickly. Gently rinse the tooth without scrubbing and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If not, store it in milk or saliva and bring it with you to the office.

The sooner you see an emergency dentist, the better the chances of saving the tooth. Ideally, you should get to the dental office within 30 to 60 minutes.

Avoiding Future Dental Emergencies

While accidents happen, many dental emergencies can be prevented through regular checkups and protective care. That’s why we encourage patients to stay consistent with dental cleanings & exams, treat problems early, and use custom mouthguards for sports or teeth grinding.

We also restore and monitor previous dental work like fillings and crowns, which, if damaged or worn, can quickly lead to urgent situations if left untreated.