Sudden pain or a broken tooth? Call us first.
Dental emergencies are stressful, but they don't have to mean an ER visit. Call (916) 451-4856 as soon as you can during office hours and we'll do everything we can to see you the same day. We keep blocks open for emergencies.
What counts as a dental emergency
Severe tooth pain that won't quit, a knocked-out or cracked tooth, a lost crown or filling exposing tooth structure, swelling around a tooth or jaw, bleeding that won't stop, or trauma to the mouth from a fall or sports injury. If you're unsure, call us, we'd rather hear from you and triage.
First-aid for the most common emergencies
Knocked-out tooth: pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse if dirty, and place it back in the socket if possible, otherwise keep it moist in milk or saliva and call us immediately. Time matters here. Cracked tooth: rinse with warm water, save any fragments, and call. Severe pain: rinse with salt water, take ibuprofen as directed, and call. Knocked-loose tooth: try to push it back to position with light finger pressure and call.
When to skip us and go straight to the ER
Severe facial swelling that's making it hard to breathe or swallow, jaw fractures, or uncontrolled bleeding after trauma are ER situations. Call 911 if you're unsure, we'll always be available for follow-up dental care once you're stable.
Common emergencies we handle same-day
Most dental emergencies fall into one of these categories: severe toothache from infection or abscess (drainage, antibiotics, root canal evaluation), chipped or fractured tooth (bonding or temporary crown), knocked-out permanent tooth (re-implantation within 60 minutes when possible), lost crown or filling (re-cementation or replacement), severe facial swelling (drainage + antibiotic), and wisdom-tooth pain (triage with possible same-week extraction).
We hold same-day slots on our schedule specifically for emergencies. Established patients have priority; new patients are welcome and seen as soon as possible based on availability.
After-hours and weekend dental emergencies
Most dental emergencies happen outside business hours, that's just how it works. We hold same-day weekday slots specifically for established patients, but we also have a clear protocol for after-hours and weekend issues.
If you're an established patient with a true emergency on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, you can text our after-hours number for triage, we'll either call you back to advise, prescribe via your pharmacy, or arrange a Monday-morning slot. For new patients, we recommend leaving a voicemail; we typically return calls within 30 minutes during waking hours.
For pain that genuinely can't wait until morning (severe swelling making it hard to swallow, bleeding that won't stop with pressure, or trauma with a knocked-out permanent tooth), we coordinate with a Sacramento-area dental emergency room that handles after-hours dental cases. We have working relationships with those teams and they communicate back to us so the followup the next week is seamless.
What to expect, step by step
Here's exactly what happens at a emergency dentistry appointment at Cusp Dental, from the moment you walk in to the followup.
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Phone triage
Call us as soon as possible. We assess severity, give first-aid instructions over the phone, and hold a same-day slot for you.
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Same-day evaluation
On arrival, we examine the area, take any necessary imaging, and explain what's happening and what treatment options exist.
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Pain and infection control
Numbness, drainage of any swelling, or antibiotic prescription as needed. Pain relief is the first priority before any definitive treatment.
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Definitive or temporary treatment
Depending on the issue: filling, temporary crown, re-cementation, splinting, extraction, or root canal initiation. We resolve as much as possible in one visit.
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Followup plan
You leave with a clear written plan for any remaining care, our after-hours number, and a followup appointment if needed.
Pricing & insurance
We don't post per-service pricing here because every case is different. Call us at (916) 451-4856 for a personalized estimate. We verify your insurance benefits at no charge and give you a written all-in estimate before any treatment begins.
- Insurance
- Emergency exams are covered by PPO plans at 80–100%. We submit benefits in real-time and tell you your share before treatment.
- Financing
- CareCredit available for larger emergency treatment plans (root canal, multiple extractions, etc.). We don't require payment upfront for benefits-eligible patients.
A typical ER visit for the same dental problem costs substantially more than a same-day dental visit and usually only treats symptoms, not the underlying cause. Unless you're in true respiratory or airway distress, the dental chair is faster, less expensive, and your problem actually gets fixed.
Common questions about emergency dentistry
Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
Often, yes, if it's reimplanted within 30–60 minutes. Pick the tooth up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse if dirty, place it back in the socket if you can, or store it in milk or saliva. Call us immediately. After about an hour, success drops sharply.
What if it's after hours?
For severe trauma or rapidly worsening swelling, go to the ER. For most other emergencies, manage pain with ibuprofen, apply ice for swelling, and call us at the start of the next business day, we'll see you as soon as we open.
How much does an emergency visit cost?
An emergency exam (focused exam + necessary X-ray) is typically much less than a full new-patient visit. Many PPO plans cover it as a regular visit. We'll be upfront about cost before any treatment.
Will I leave the same day with the problem fixed?
Often yes for things like a lost filling, simple extraction, or a temporary crown. Some treatments (a crown, a root canal, an implant) need to be planned and completed across multiple visits, but we'll get you out of pain first.
Ready to book your emergency dentistry appointment?
We're in-network with most major PPO plans, verify your benefits at no cost, and never push treatment you don't need. Call us or book online, same-day visits are usually available.
