Experiencing a Dental emergency right now?
Call us now at (404) 355-2001.
We're open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Walk-ins welcome for urgent care, and you can find us at:
1800 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30309
Emergency Dental Care in Atlanta For When Something Suddenly Goes Wrong
If you've ever bitten down and felt that unmistakable crack, or woken up at 2 a.m. with a toothache that ibuprofen just won't touch, you know how quickly a tooth can take over your entire day. At Atlanta Dentistry by Design, Dr. Freeman and the team will work to get you seen as soon as possible, take care of the pain first, and then walk you through what happened and what your options are.
Sometimes that means a same-day crown for a fractured tooth. Sometimes it means talking through your options for replacing a tooth that can't be saved. Either way, you'll know exactly what's going on before you leave.
Whether you've been coming to Atlanta Dentistry by Design for twenty years or have never sat in our chair, you're welcome to call. Reach us at (404) 355-2001 or send us a message through our contact page.
Quick Takeaways
- A knocked-out tooth is the most time-sensitive situation you can call about. Keep it moist, avoid touching the root, and get to us as quickly as you can. The sooner we see it, the better the chances of saving it.
- Not sure if what you're feeling counts as an emergency? That's okay. A quick call to our Atlanta office at (404) 355-2001 is all it takes to figure out next steps together.
- We're here early. Our doors open at 7:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday, so you can often get seen before your workday even starts.
How an Emergency Visit Works, Step by Step
Not knowing what to expect can make it harder to pick up the phone. Here is what actually happens when you call.
1. You call and a real person answers
Our team will ask you a few simple questions about what you are feeling, any swelling or bleeding, and how it started. From there, we help figure out how quickly you need to come in. When you call (404) 355-2001, we can usually walk you through something helpful right away, whether that is how to handle a knocked-out tooth, how to reduce swelling at home, or what to avoid eating until you get here.
2. We find a spot for you that day
We do not put urgent problems at the back of the line. We work you into the schedule as soon as we can. When you arrive, just give us your name and in most cases you will head straight back without a long wait.
3. We take a close look and get some X-rays
We examine the area that is bothering you and take dental X-rays. X-rays let us see what is happening beneath the gumline and inside the tooth, things that are not visible to the naked eye. Cracks, infections, and other issues often hide below the surface, so this step is how we make sure we are treating the right problem.
4. We take care of the pain first
Before we talk about next steps or long-term treatment, we focus on getting you comfortable. It is hard to think clearly about your options when you are in pain, and we would never ask you to make decisions that way.
5. Dr. Freeman explains what he found and what he recommends
Once you are feeling better, Dr. Freeman will walk you through exactly what he found, what caused it, what your options are, and what he would personally recommend. If we can take care of it that same day, we will let you know. If a follow-up visit makes more sense, we will explain why before you leave so there are no surprises.
What You Get From Being Seen Quickly
- Pain that actually stops. Most dental pain has a specific cause, and treating that cause is what ends it for good. Pain relievers can take the edge off for a few hours, but they don't fix what's wrong.
- A better chance of keeping the tooth. Cracks, deep decay, and knocked-out teeth all have a window of time in which they can still be saved. Getting in quickly often means keeping a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
- Infection that stays contained. An abscess is a pocket of infection that forms at the root of a tooth or in the surrounding gum. It won't go away on its own, and the longer it sits, the more it can spread. Catching it early keeps it manageable, and our gum disease treatment can address infection in the tissue around your teeth.
- A smaller repair. Caught early, a crack may need only a filling or a crown. Left alone for months, that same crack can reach the point where root canal therapy or even removal becomes necessary. If a tooth can't be saved, dental implants are one way to replace it.
- Same-day repair when a crown is the answer. Dr. Freeman has been placing CEREC same-day crowns for nearly 30 years and even taught the technique to other dentists as a faculty member at the CEREC Institute. That means the tooth can often be prepared, digitally scanned, and fully restored in one visit. You leave with the permanent crown already in place, no temporary, no second appointment.
Situations Worth Calling About
These are the ones we want to hear about the same day:
- A severe or persistent toothache, especially one that wakes you up or won't respond to over-the-counter medication.
- A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth. Many can be repaired in a single visit with a same-day CEREC crown.
- A knocked-out tooth, call us before you leave the house.
- A lost filling or crown, which leaves the tooth underneath exposed and often very sensitive.
- Swelling, a bad taste, or a pimple-like bump on the gum. Any of these can be a sign of an abscess, which needs to be treated promptly.
- A cut to the lip, tongue, or gum that won't stop bleeding.
- A broken wire or bracket that's cutting into your cheek.
How Long It Takes and What Comes After
Most urgent visits take somewhere between thirty minutes and a couple of hours, depending on what we find. A lost filling or a loose crown is usually a quick appointment. A broken tooth that needs a same-day crown takes a bit longer, since we prepare the tooth, take a digital scan, and have the crown made and placed right here in the office, all in one visit. If there's an active infection, we may need to let things calm down before completing the repair, which sometimes means a second appointment.
Before you come in
A gentle rinse with warm salt water can help with swelling, and a cold compress held against the outside of your cheek in short intervals can take the edge off. Go ahead and take whatever over-the-counter pain reliever you normally use, as long as your doctor hasn't told you to avoid it. It also helps to bring a list of your current medications. And if a crown or a piece of tooth came off, bring it with you. We can sometimes use it, and even if we can't, it gives us useful information.
After treatment
Before you leave, we'll go over exactly what to expect based on what we did. In general, it helps to chew on the opposite side for a day or two, avoid anything very hot or very cold while the area settles, and be a little gentle when flossing near the area that was just treated. Some soreness that gradually improves is completely normal. If the pain is getting worse instead of better, that's always worth a call to us. Once the immediate issue is taken care of, we're happy to talk through any follow-up options at your next visit.
What an Emergency Visit Costs
The cost of an emergency visit depends on what your tooth actually needs. Every visit starts with an exam and X-rays so we can see what's going on. From there, treatment might be something straightforward like recementing a crown, or it might mean rebuilding a broken tooth with a same-day CEREC crown. Either way, the price reflects what your specific situation calls for.
You will always hear the cost before we begin, not after. Our team will walk you through your dental benefits and payment options in plain language so you can make a decision that feels right for you. One thing worth knowing: waiting on a painful problem usually means more involved treatment down the road. If something hurts, it is worth a call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
If you're dealing with serious pain, visible swelling, a knocked-out or broken tooth, bleeding that won't stop, or any injury to your mouth, that's worth a same-day call. And if you're just not sure whether what you're feeling qualifies, give us a ring at (404) 355-2001 and we'll help you figure it out together.
What do I do with a knocked-out tooth before I get there?
Pick it up by the top part (the part you chew with) and try not to touch the root. Give it a gentle rinse with water or milk, but don't scrub it. If you can, carefully place it back into the socket and hold it there. If that's not possible, tuck it between your cheek and gum, or keep it in a small cup of milk to stay moist. Then head our way as quickly as you can. The sooner we see it, the better the chances of saving it.
Can I be seen if I've never been a patient here?
Absolutely. You don't need to have visited us before to come in for an urgent problem. We're happy to help, and many patients who first came to us in a pinch have been with us ever since.
What if my emergency happens after hours or on Friday?
We're open Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you're experiencing spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, a suspected broken jaw, or an injury that goes beyond your teeth, please go to an emergency room right away. For everything else, call us first thing Monday morning and we'll do our best to get you in quickly.
Will you fix it the same day or just stop the pain?
It really depends on what we find. A lot of problems, including a broken tooth that needs a crown, can be taken care of from start to finish in a single visit thanks to same-day crown technology. Infections and more complicated fractures may need a follow-up appointment. Either way, you'll leave knowing exactly what the plan is.
Should I go to the ER instead?
If you have swelling that's spreading across your face, trouble breathing or swallowing, a suspected broken jaw, or injuries that go beyond your teeth, the emergency room is the right place to go. But for tooth pain, cracks, lost fillings or crowns, and abscesses without those serious warning signs, a dental office is better equipped to treat the actual source of the problem, not just the symptoms.
If Something Hurts, Let's Take a Look
Dental pain rarely gets better on its own. Whether it's a 2 a.m. throb that won't quit, a crack you felt at lunch, or a crown that came loose, waiting usually makes things harder to fix.
A cracked tooth may need a same-day crown, and a loose or aching tooth can sometimes be a sign of gum disease.
Either way, Dr. Freeman and our team are here to help you figure out what's going on. Give us a call at (404) 355-2001, tell us what happened, and we'll find a time that works for you.