What we treat as an emergency
- Severe or persistent toothache
- A cracked, chipped or broken tooth
- A knocked-out tooth
- A lost filling, crown or bridge
- Swelling of the gum, face or jaw
- An abscess or infection
- Bleeding that will not stop after an extraction
- A broken denture or aligner
Call (215) 357-4321 first. Describing what happened lets us set aside the right amount of time and tell you what to do before you arrive.
What to do before you get here
- Toothache: rinse with warm salt water, floss gently to remove anything stuck, and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do not put aspirin on the gum.
- Knocked-out tooth: hold it by the crown, not the root; rinse briefly without scrubbing; place it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk, and come in immediately. The best chance of saving it is within an hour.
- Broken tooth: save any pieces, rinse your mouth and use a cold compress on the cheek for swelling.
- Lost crown: keep the crown; a dab of toothpaste or denture adhesive can hold it temporarily until we re-cement it.
- Swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing: go to the emergency room, then call us.
What happens at your visit
Dr. Anagnostakos will examine the tooth, take an X-ray if needed and get you out of pain first. Many emergencies are resolved at the same visit: a filling, re-cementing a crown, smoothing a chip, or starting a root canal to stop the pain. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will discuss replacement options, including an implant, once you are comfortable.
New patients welcome
You do not need to be an existing patient to be seen for an emergency. Bring your insurance card and a list of medications and we will handle the rest.