Emergency Dentistry
in Lomita, CA
Are you in pain right now? Don't wait.
A toothache or dental injury rarely gets better on its own, and the longer it goes untreated, the worse it can get, and the more expensive it can become to fix. At Avalon Dental Care, we set aside time in our schedule every day for patients who need to be seen right away. Call us at (310) 530-3100 and we will do everything we can to get you in the same day, get you out of pain, and put together a clear plan to get your smile back to full health.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry covers any dental problem that needs prompt attention to relieve pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or prevent an infection from spreading. Some situations can wait a day or two for a regular appointment. Others cannot. If you are unsure which category you fall into, call our office and describe your symptoms. We would rather talk you through it on the phone than have you sit at home wondering.
Common dental emergencies we treat include:
Severe Toothache: Persistent or throbbing tooth pain is often a sign of decay, infection, or a cracked tooth underneath the surface. It is one of the most common reasons patients call us for a same-day visit.
Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth: Whether from a fall, a sports injury, or biting down on something hard, a damaged tooth needs to be evaluated quickly to prevent further breakage or infection.
Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth: Time matters most here. If you can get to us within an hour, there is a real chance we can save and re-implant the tooth.
Lost or Loose Crown, Filling, or Bridge: An exposed tooth is more sensitive and more vulnerable to decay and further damage until it is repaired.
Dental Abscess or Infection: Swelling, pain, or a bad taste that will not go away can point to an infection that needs immediate treatment before it spreads.
Object Caught Between Teeth: Sometimes a simple problem, but if it is causing gum irritation, swelling, or won't come loose, it is worth having us take a look.
Broken Denture, Retainer, or Night Guard: A damaged dental appliance can affect your bite, your speech, and your comfort, and often needs a quick repair or reline.
Jaw Pain or Injury: Sudden jaw pain, a popping or locking jaw, or an injury to the jaw should be examined promptly to rule out a fracture or serious TMJ issue.
Why You Shouldn't Wait to Treat a Dental Emergency
It is tempting to wait and see if the pain goes away on its own. In our experience, it almost never does, it usually gets worse. Here is what waiting can cost you:
More Pain: Untreated decay and infection tend to spread, which means the discomfort you feel today is often milder than what you will feel in a few days if it goes untreated.
More Expensive Treatment: A small cavity that could have been treated with a simple filling can turn into a root canal. A cracked tooth caught early might be saved with a crown, but left alone it may need to be extracted entirely. Acting quickly almost always means a simpler and more affordable fix.
A Higher Risk of Losing the Tooth: Teeth that could have been saved are sometimes lost simply because too much time passed before treatment began.
Infection Spreading Beyond the Tooth: A dental infection is not contained to your mouth forever. Left untreated, it can spread to surrounding tissue, your jaw, or in rare but serious cases, other parts of your body.
Lost Time and Sleep: Dental pain has a way of taking over your day and your night. Getting treated quickly means getting your life back to normal that much sooner.
Our goal is simple: get you out of pain as quickly as possible, then build a plan to get you back to full oral health, so a temporary problem does not turn into a long-term one.
What to Expect During Your Same-Day Emergency Visit
We know showing up to a dental office in pain is stressful. Here is how we make it as easy as possible:
1. Call Us First: Let our team know what you are experiencing. We will ask a few quick questions and get you on the schedule as soon as we can, often the same day.
2. We Focus on Pain Relief Right Away: Our first priority when you arrive is getting you comfortable. We will discuss your options, including sedation dentistry, for patients who are anxious or in significant pain.
3. A Thorough Exam: Using digital X-rays and a careful exam, we will find the source of the problem, not just treat the symptom.
4. A Clear, Honest Plan: We will walk you through exactly what we found, what your treatment options are, and what each one involves, including cost, before we do any work.
5. Treatment and a Path Forward: Depending on your situation, we may complete treatment that same day or schedule a follow-up visit. Either way, you will leave with a clear plan to get your oral health back on track, not just a quick fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really see emergency patients the same day?
Yes. We hold time in our daily schedule specifically for patients who call with urgent dental pain or injuries. Call us as early in the day as you can at (310) 530-3100, and we will work to get you in.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Generally, any dental issue involving significant pain, bleeding, swelling, a knocked-out or badly broken tooth, or signs of infection should be treated as an emergency. If you are not sure, call us and describe what is happening. We would rather you call and find out it can wait than wait and find out it could not.
What should I do right now if I am in pain?
Call our office at (310) 530-3100. Over the counter pain relief, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, and rinsing gently with warm salt water can help in the meantime, but these are temporary measures, not a substitute for treatment.
I knocked out a tooth. What should I do?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If that is not possible, keep it moist in milk or a saliva-filled container and get to our office as quickly as you can. Every minute counts.
I do not have a regular dentist at Avalon Dental Care yet. Can I still come in for an emergency?
Absolutely. You do not need to be an existing patient to be seen for a dental emergency. New patients are welcome, and we will get your information when you arrive.
What if I do not have dental insurance?
We will still see you. During your visit, we will talk through your treatment options and the associated costs so you can make an informed decision, and we can discuss payment options for your care.
What if I do not have dental insurance?
We will still see you. During your visit, we will talk through your treatment options and the associated costs so you can make an informed decision, and we can discuss payment options for your care.
How much will emergency treatment cost?
It depends on what is causing your pain and what treatment you need, which is why we always examine you first and explain your options and costs before starting any work. There are no surprise treatments and no pressure.
What are your hours for emergency dental care?
Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. Call us as soon as you notice a problem so we have the best chance of seeing you the same day.
Emergency Dentistry
Near Me in Lomita, CA
If you are dealing with a toothache, a broken tooth, or any other dental emergency, do not wait for it to get worse. Avalon Dental Care is here for patients throughout Lomita, Hawthorne, Carson, and Lawndale, CA, and we make room in our schedule every day to help patients get out of pain quickly.