Urgent Care
Emergency Care
Dental problems rarely arrive at a convenient hour. When something breaks, aches or swells, you call the practice and we make room in the schedule that day wherever we can.
On this page
What this involves
Call the practice first
The fastest route to relief is a phone call. Describing what happened lets us tell you what to do in the next hour and get you into the right appointment rather than a general slot.
If you are an existing patient, we already have your history and imaging, which shortens everything that follows.
What counts as an emergency
Persistent pain, swelling of the face or gum, a tooth that has been knocked out or loosened, a fracture with a sharp edge, and a lost crown or filling that is causing sensitivity all warrant a call.
Swelling that is spreading, or pain accompanied by fever or difficulty swallowing, needs urgent attention. If you cannot reach us and symptoms are severe, go to an emergency room.
Relief first, plan second
The first appointment is about getting you comfortable and stabilising the problem. That might mean treating an infection, smoothing or rebuilding a fractured edge, or recementing a restoration.
Once you are out of pain we talk about the longer-term fix. Decisions made while someone is uncomfortable are rarely their best ones, so we separate the two conversations.
Root canal treatment
When the nerve inside a tooth is infected or dying, root canal treatment removes the source of the pain and lets you keep the tooth. It is done here under local anaesthetic.
A tooth treated this way usually needs a crown afterwards to protect it, and we will plan that with you at the time rather than leaving it open ended.
Who it is for
You are in pain now
Toothache that keeps you awake or will not respond to over-the-counter relief needs to be seen, not waited out.
Something has broken
A fractured tooth, a lost crown or a filling that has come out should be assessed before the situation gets larger.
You are not a patient here
You do not need to be registered with us to be seen. Call the practice and we will do what we can.
How it works
Call
Describe what happened. We advise on the next hour and find you an appointment.
Assess
A focused exam and imaging to identify the cause rather than only the symptom.
Relieve
We treat the pain or infection and stabilise the tooth at that visit where possible.
Restore
Once you are comfortable, we plan the longer-term repair with you.
Common questions
Emergency Care
Wherever the schedule allows, yes. Call the practice as early in the day as you can and we will make room.
No. We see people in pain who have never been here before.
Handle it by the crown rather than the root, keep it moist in milk or saliva, and call the practice immediately. Time matters.
Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed helps most people. Call us and we will give guidance for your situation.
Not usually. Saving the tooth is the first preference, and extraction is discussed only when the tooth cannot be kept.
Call the practice number for instructions. Severe swelling with fever or difficulty breathing or swallowing is a hospital emergency.
Other services
We would like to meet you.
Appointments in Whitehouse Station, most weekdays from eight.
Request an Appointment