Emergency Dentistry – Lincoln, NE

The Immediate Care That Hurting Smiles Need

When you break an arm or leg, you’d be right in thinking that you should head to the nearest emergency room straight away. But what about when you have a hurting, broken, or knocked-out tooth? Most ER doctors aren’t capable of handling specific dental problems. That’s why you should instead make a beeline for an emergency dentist. At Parks Family Dental, we’re always ready to help existing patients get out of pain and back to smiling. We even offer same-day appointments, so don’t hesitate to call us for emergency dentistry in Lincoln, NE when your smile needs urgent care!

Man in need of emergency dentistry holding jaw in pain

Why Choose Parks Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments for Existing Patients
  • In-Network with Many Leading Dental Insurance Plans
  • Compassionate Dentist with 20+ Years of Experience

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding cheek during emergency dentistry visit

Dental emergencies can be scary, which is why we ask that, first and foremost, you try not to panic. Here’s what you should do instead:

  • Call our dental office – Pick up the phone and call Parks Family Dental as soon as you can. Over the phone, we’ll ask you questions about your situation and provide first-aid guidance on managing your emergency until you reach our dentaloffice.
  • Get an emergency dental exam from Dr. Parks – Once you arrive, Dr. Parks will take any necessary X-rays and thoroughly examine your mouth to get a clear picture of your circumstances.
  • Review findings and create a treatment plan – Dr. Parks will share his findings and give you his honest recommendations on how to remedy your smile. Together, you’ll develop a plan to get you out of pain and back to smiling.
  • Get the care your smile needs – After the treatment plan has been established, we’ll begin repairing your smile right away.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Animated smile with highlighted tooth in need of emergency dentistry

Dr. Parks has more than two decades of experience as a dentist, and during that time, he has seen practically every type of dental emergency you can imagine. Even if you’re unsure whether your situation “counts” as a true emergency, it never hurts to call us and ask about it! If you’re experiencing any of the problems below, you should definitely call us for treatment.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency?

There are many reasons as to why you’re experiencing tooth pain. It could be the result of something relatively minor, or you could be facing a more serious problem that needs to be addressed by a professional right away. If you have a toothache that is sharp, throbbing, or accompanied by a pimple-like bump on the gums, you should schedule an appointment with us right away.

How you should handle a toothache:

For a toothache, you should start by rinsing your mouth with water and flossing around the aching tooth. You may want to swish around some salt water to disinfect the area and reduce swelling. To numb any soreness, try using an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and apply a cold compress. Give us a call to schedule your urgent visit.

How we treat toothaches:

Before we can treat your toothache, we need to determine why you are experiencing pain. Oftentimes, toothaches can be resolved with a filling or dental crown. In other scenarios, gum disease therapy, root canal therapy, or an extraction could be necessary. We will determine the best way to treat your troublesome tooth when you pay us a visit.

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?  

Chipped teeth aren’t usually an urgent dental emergency. However, you should have them looked at within a few days if possible. Even if the chip is small and your tooth doesn’t hurt, you could still experience additional damage if you don’t get treatment.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:

Rinse your mouth with water. Collect larger pieces of your tooth if you can and bring them to the practice with you. Until then, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the chipped tooth. If your tooth is sharp or jagged, apply some orthodontic wax so you don’t accidentally cut your lip or cheek. You can find this in the dental section of your local drugstore.

How we treat chipped teeth:

Chipped teeth can often be repaired with dental bonding in a single appointment. However, if the chip is large or on a very visible tooth, you may want to opt for a longer-lasting cosmetic option, like a veneer or dental crown.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?

Cracked teeth can be very painful. They also leave your smile vulnerable to bacteria. In some instances, it can be difficult to see cracks in your teeth. If you notice increased sensitivity or discomfort after biting down on something hard or taking a blow to the face, you may have cracked one or more of your teeth. You should seek treatment as soon as possible.

How you should handle a cracked tooth:

You should begin by rinsing your mouth with water. This will help to keep the area clean until you can see a dentist. Next, give us a call to schedule your emergency visit. If you notice any inflammation or are experiencing any discomfort, this can be lessened with an over-the-counter pain reliever and cold compress.

How we treat cracked teeth:

The treatment for cracked teeth depends on how badly the teeth are cracked. If your tooth has a minor crack, we may be able to resolve it with dental bonding. For deeper ones, a dental crown or tooth extraction may be needed.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Woman discussing the cost of emergency dentistry with dentist

There are countless possible dental emergencies that can occur, each of which requires its own course of treatment. For example, a minor cavity may only need a small filling, while more extensive tooth decay might necessitate root canal therapy or even an extraction. That’s why we can’t give you an accurate cost estimate until Dr. Parks has personally examined the situation. At that point, our team members can review your payment options, including dental insurance.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dentist and patient discussing ways to prevent dental emergencies

One easy way to reduce the cost of dental emergencies is to avoid them entirely! While many dental emergencies cannot be prevented, you can take some simple precautions to decrease your risk. These include:

  • Brushing and flossing every day at home
  • Visiting Parks Family Dental twice a year for a routine checkup and cleaning
  • Limiting your intake of sugary, cavity-causing foods
  • Wearing a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night or play sports
  • Not using your teeth to tear packaging, open bottles, or anything besides chewing food
More to Explore

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Interested in Sleep Apnea Therapy View Our Services