Emergency Care

A short phone call lets us know what has happened and get the right time set aside for you. It also lets us tell you what to do in the meantime, which occasionally makes a real difference to the outcome.

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, handle it by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist, and call immediately. Time matters more than anything else in that situation.

The first job is comfort. We identify the source of the problem, address the pain or infection, and stabilize whatever is broken.

Definitive treatment is often a second appointment, planned once you are comfortable and able to make a considered decision. Nothing irreversible is done in a rush unless it has to be.

Persistent toothache, particularly one that wakes you, usually means the nerve is involved and needs assessment rather than another day of painkillers. Swelling in the face or jaw should be seen promptly.

A lost crown or filling is less urgent but still worth handling quickly, because the exposed tooth can shift or fracture. Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you.

If you are already a patient here, we have your history and imaging in front of us before you sit down, which shortens the visit considerably.

If you are not, you are still welcome to call. We will see what we can do and be straightforward with you if the right answer is a hospital emergency department instead.