It depends on the severity. A mild, intermittent ache may not require same-day treatment, but it should be evaluated within a few days. A severe, throbbing, or worsening toothache — especially one accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty eating or sleeping — is a dental emergency and should be seen as soon as possible. When in doubt, call our office and we will advise you.

Yes — but time is the critical factor. A permanent tooth that is reimplanted within 30 minutes of being knocked out has the highest chance of survival. After 60 minutes, the success rate drops significantly. Handle the tooth correctly (by the crown, keep the root moist in milk), and get to our office as quickly as possible.

Do not reimplant a baby tooth — this can damage the developing permanent tooth beneath the gum. Control the bleeding, apply a cold compress, and call our office. Dr. Verzonilla will evaluate the area to ensure no other damage has occurred and determine whether a space maintainer is needed.

Yes. A cracked tooth can be pain-free initially but may worsen rapidly — especially if the crack extends deeper into the tooth with continued chewing. What starts as a small crack today can become a split tooth tomorrow that requires extraction. Early evaluation and treatment give the tooth the best chance of being saved with a conservative restoration like bonding or a crown.

Antibiotics alone cannot cure a dental infection. They may temporarily reduce symptoms and slow the spread of infection, but the source of the infection — whether it is decay, a dead nerve, or a deep gum pocket — must be treated by a dentist. Antibiotics are an important part of managing dental infections, but they are a supplement to treatment, not a substitute for it.

A dental emergency requires immediate attention — typically within hours — to save a tooth, stop serious bleeding, manage a spreading infection, or address severe pain that cannot be controlled with over-the-counter medication. A dental urgency is a situation that needs professional attention soon — within a day or two — but is not immediately life-threatening or at risk of permanent damage. Examples include a lost filling without pain, a minor chip, or a broken denture. Our team will help you determine the urgency of your situation when you call.

If you are in pain, have suffered a dental injury, or are worried about a tooth, do not wait to see if it gets better on its own. Dental emergencies almost always worsen with time, and early treatment gives you the best chance of saving the tooth, controlling the infection, and avoiding more extensive — and more expensive — procedures later.

Dr. B. Rosales Verzonilla and our team are here for you. We treat every emergency with urgency, compassion, and the clinical expertise needed to get you out of pain and on the path to recovery as quickly as possible.