A dental emergency rarely arrives at a convenient time. A tooth cracks on a weekend, a crown pops off the night before an important meeting, or a dull ache turns into throbbing pain that keeps you awake. At Infinite Dental Wellness in Glendale, CA, we provide prompt emergency dental care designed to stop your pain quickly and protect the tooth so it has the best possible chance of being saved. Because there is no way to predict when an accident or sudden infection will strike, we encourage every patient and family in our community to save our number, (818) 541-1110, in their phone. Having it ready can spare you an unnecessary trip to a crowded emergency room and get you to the kind of care a dental emergency actually requires.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any oral health problem that needs urgent attention to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or treat an infection before it spreads. Some situations are obvious, while others build quietly over days. If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies, it is always better to call and ask. Our friendly Glendale team can help you decide how quickly you need to be seen and what to do in the meantime.
Common dental emergencies we treat include the following:
- A severe or persistent toothache that disrupts sleep, eating, or daily activities
- A tooth that has been knocked out due to a fall, sports injury, or accident
- A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, especially when it is painful or has sharp edges
- A lost or loose filling, crown, or bridge that exposes sensitive tooth structure
- Swelling of the gums, face, or jaw, which can signal a dental abscess or infection
- Bleeding that does not stop after applying gentle pressure
- An object stuck between the teeth that you cannot safely remove with floss
- Pain or pressure following a recent procedure that feels worse rather than better
On the other hand, a chipped tooth with no pain, a slightly loose adult tooth that is stable, or mild sensitivity can often wait for a regular appointment. Even so, a quick phone call helps us guide you correctly. When in doubt, reach out. It is part of why we keep same-day emergency slots open in our schedule.
Why We Provide Emergency Dental Care
We provide emergency dental care so that patients can get the right help right away rather than waiting and hoping a problem resolves on its own. Dental issues do not heal like a scraped knee. A damaged tooth left untreated can fracture further, and an infected tooth can allow bacteria to spread into the surrounding bone and tissue. What starts as a manageable problem can become a far more involved and costly one. Acting quickly almost always means a simpler treatment, less discomfort, and a better chance of keeping your natural tooth.
Why Visit Us Instead of the Emergency Room?
Hospital emergency rooms are excellent at handling medical crises, but they are not equipped to treat teeth. ER physicians can address life-threatening concerns, control bleeding, and prescribe medication for pain or infection, yet they generally cannot repair a broken tooth, perform a root canal, or place a crown. If you go to the ER with a toothache, you may receive temporary relief, but the underlying cause will still be there. That means you will need to see a dentist anyway, often after paying for two visits instead of one. Coming straight to our Glendale office saves you time, money, and additional discomfort. The exception is any situation involving a serious facial injury, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a possible broken jaw. In those cases, go to the emergency room or call 911 first, then follow up with us for the dental repair.
What to Expect During an Emergency Visit
When you call us with an emergency, our team will ask a few questions to understand what happened and how urgent it is. We will offer the soonest available appointment, often the same day, and may give you first-aid guidance to follow until you arrive. Once you are in the chair, our priority is to make you comfortable and stop the pain. We will examine the area, take any necessary digital X-rays to see what is happening beneath the surface, and explain what we find in plain language. Then we will discuss your treatment options before moving forward, so you always understand the plan and the cost.
The two issues we address most often during emergency visits are physical damage to a tooth and severe pain from decay or infection. Both are very treatable, and both respond best to prompt attention.
Treating a Damaged Tooth
Teeth sustain damage more easily than most people expect. A car accident, a workplace mishap, a sports collision, or even biting down on something hard can crack or chip a tooth in an instant. A casual pickup game of basketball can end with a broken front tooth. When that happens, the goal is to repair the damage as soon as possible to protect the inner layers of the tooth and restore your smile.
For many chips and minor fractures, we can use dental bonding for a fast, natural-looking repair. Bonding uses a tooth-colored resin that we apply to the tooth, shape, and harden with a special curing light. In many cases it can be completed in a single visit, so you can walk in with a chipped tooth and leave with a fully restored one. For more extensive damage, we may recommend a porcelain veneer or a dental crown, which typically require two visits but provide exceptional strength and aesthetics for a tooth that has been significantly compromised.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies, and quick action can make the difference between saving and losing it. If you can find the tooth, pick it up by the crown, never the root, and gently rinse off any dirt without scrubbing. If possible, try to place it back in the socket and hold it there. If that is not possible, store it in a cup of milk, which helps keep the root cells alive, and come to our Glendale office immediately. The best chance of reattachment is within the first hour. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will talk with you about natural-looking replacement options such as a dental bridge or a partial or full denture, depending on your situation.
Relief for a Severe Toothache
A bad toothache is one of the most common reasons people seek urgent care, and for good reason, since it can be genuinely debilitating. The encouraging news is that most toothaches do not appear without warning. Often there are earlier signs such as discomfort when biting down, sensitivity to hot or cold, or irritation when brushing or flossing. If you notice these warning signs, call us at (818) 541-1110 and schedule an exam before the problem escalates. Catching decay or infection early allows for a much simpler fix and may prevent a full-blown emergency altogether.
When a severe toothache is caused by deep decay or an infection that has reached the inner pulp of the tooth, a root canal is often the best way to relieve the pain and save the tooth. During this procedure, we first numb the area thoroughly so you remain comfortable. We then create a small opening in the tooth, remove the infected tissue, clean and disinfect the inner chamber, and seal it. Because the pain is caused by the infection, removing it brings significant relief. In many cases the tooth is then protected with a filling or a crown, which we can sometimes complete the same day or schedule for a follow-up visit.
Comfort and Modern Technology
We understand that emergencies are stressful, and that many people already feel anxious about dental treatment. Our gentle, unhurried approach is designed to put you at ease. We take time to explain what is happening, use effective numbing techniques, and check in with you throughout your visit. Our office uses modern digital X-rays, which capture detailed images quickly while exposing you to far less radiation than older film. We are also a mercury-free practice, using tooth-colored, biocompatible materials for restorations. For patients who feel particularly nervous, we are happy to discuss options that help you stay calm and relaxed during treatment.
Aftercare and Preventing the Next Emergency
After treating your emergency, we will give you clear instructions for caring for the area at home. This may include guidance on eating soft foods for a day or two, taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medication as directed, keeping the area clean, and what to watch for as you heal. Following these steps closely helps you recover comfortably and protects the work we have done.
Many dental emergencies can be prevented with a few simple habits. Keeping up with regular cleanings and exams allows us to catch small problems before they turn into painful ones. Wearing a custom mouthguard during sports protects against knocked-out and broken teeth. Avoiding chewing ice, hard candy, and other hard objects spares your enamel, and never using your teeth as tools to open packaging can prevent a surprising number of cracks. If you grind your teeth at night, a custom night guard can protect them from wear and fracture.
Cost and Insurance
We believe that worrying about cost should never stop you from getting urgent care. Our team will review your treatment options and the associated fees with you before proceeding, so there are no surprises. We accept all PPO dental insurance plans and will help you understand and maximize your benefits. Please note that we do not participate in Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal. If you have questions about payment, ask our front desk, and we will do our best to make your emergency care as affordable and straightforward as possible.
Serving Glendale Families When It Matters Most
Infinite Dental Wellness is proud to be a trusted dental home for the Glendale community. Led by Dr. Leon Kiraj and Dr. Liana Muradyan, a USC-trained husband-and-wife team, our practice has earned a 4.9-star rating across more than 300 patient reviews. We offer gentle care for all ages, same-day emergency appointments, and a mercury-free approach to dentistry. When you or a loved one is in pain, you want a team that responds quickly, treats you with compassion, and gets you back to feeling like yourself.
Call Infinite Dental Wellness for Emergency Dental Care
If you live in Glendale, CA or the surrounding area and you have any kind of dental emergency, call (818) 541-1110 right away. We will work to see you quickly, relieve your discomfort, restore your tooth, and answer any other questions you have about your oral health. Save our number today so that help is always within reach when you need it most.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is a dental emergency?
Q. Should I go to the ER instead of the dentist?
Q. What should I do if I have a toothache?
People Also Ask
Q. If I hurt my tooth in a car accident, can I wait a day or two before seeking dental treatment?
Q. Can the ER treat any damage to my teeth?
Q. What can I do if I damage my tooth?