If you are in pain, have a broken or knocked out tooth, or have swelling, call us. We keep time open each day for emergencies, and we will tell you what to do while you are on your way. We see emergency patients whether or not you have been here before.
Call now (208) 646-1897Send this and we will call you straight back. For severe pain or swelling, please call instead.
If you are not sure, call us and describe it. We would far rather talk you through something minor than have you wait on something that is not.
Still call if any of these change or get worse.
Those symptoms can mean an infection has spread beyond the tooth into the jaw, throat or neck, which is treated in a hospital rather than a dental chair. Mayo Clinic advises going to an emergency room if you have a fever and facial swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
The first thing an emergency visit has to do is work out what is actually happening.
Exam and complete x-rays
A full examination with a dentist and complete x-rays, so we can see exactly what is going on. Normally valued at $267.
Then we tell you what treatment costs before we do any of it.
The $55 covers the examination and the x-rays. It is what tells us whether you need a filling, a root canal, an extraction or something else entirely. It does not cover the treatment itself, and we would rather say so now than surprise you in the chair.
What it does mean is that you will know what is wrong and what fixing it costs before you agree to anything. No treatment happens until you have the price.
No hold music maze, and no being told to call back next week.
We ask what you are feeling and when it started. If it is something you should go straight to a hospital for, we will tell you that instead of booking you in.
We hold appointments open each day for emergencies. If we can see you today, we will. If your case is time critical, we say so.
Before you hang up, we will talk you through what to do while you are on your way, whether that is how to store a knocked out tooth or how to manage the swelling.
Pain and fear feed each other, and an emergency is the worst possible time to be talked out of being nervous.
Most people in an emergency chair have been hoping it would settle down on its own. Nobody here is going to ask why you waited. You called. That is the part that matters.
Sedation is what this practice is known for. Tell us when you call and we will plan your visit around it rather than expecting you to tough it out.
What your neighbors in Treasure Valley say about us on Google.
I was able to get in very quickly as a new patient. The office was very nice. The staff was exceptionally nice and warm. The dentist (Dr. Fry) was very attentive, listened intently and spent the time needed to truly understand my history and needs. The hygienist was exceptional.Hoagers Google
I had two crowns done at Time to Smile Dental, and I can’t say enough good things about the experience. I have extreme anxiety when it comes to dental work, but they did both crowns under sedation, and it was the most comfortable I’ve ever felt in a dental office.Stacy Google
From the initial exam to placing the permanent crowns, the entire team made me feel at ease. They explained everything clearly, were incredibly kind, and never made me feel rushed or judged.
Time to Smile is awesome! I’m not a huge fan of the dentist due to past experiences, but they make you feel comfortable and take great care of you. Dr. Christian is fantastic. Highly recommend!Ross Google
Always a positive experience with the whole staff. Super treatment from Kristi and Dr. Christian. Great conversation with literally the rest of the staff!Dee Google
Easy to reach from Boise, Meridian, Star and the rest of the Treasure Valley.
General information, not a diagnosis. If something here describes what you are dealing with, call us.
A dental emergency is any problem that needs treating straight away to stop pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth or stop an infection spreading. The most common are a knocked out tooth, a badly broken tooth, severe toothache, swelling in the face or gum, bleeding that will not stop, and a lost crown or filling that has left a tooth exposed. Mild sensitivity, a small painless chip, or a dull ache that comes and goes can usually wait for a normal appointment.
Yes, and it is the most time critical of all dental emergencies. A permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it is put back within 30 to 60 minutes, so a knocked out tooth should be treated as urgent rather than something to deal with tomorrow. Call a dentist immediately, and follow the handling steps below while you travel.
Pick the tooth up by the crown, which is the white chewing part, and never touch the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water, but do not scrub it, do not dry it, and do not use soap. If you can, put it gently back into the socket and bite softly on a clean cloth to hold it there. If it will not go back, keep it moist in a container of cold milk, or hold it in your cheek, and get to a dentist straight away. A knocked out baby tooth should not be put back, because doing so can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath.
A toothache is an emergency when it is severe, getting worse, keeping you awake, or comes with swelling or fever. Pain that intense usually means the nerve is involved or an infection has started, and neither resolves on its own. A mild ache that comes and goes is less urgent, but it is still worth a call, because toothache that fades can mean a nerve has died rather than that the problem has gone away.
Go to an emergency room if you have a fever together with facial swelling, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, because those can mean an infection has spread into your jaw, throat or neck. Also go for a serious injury to the head, jaw or neck. For most other dental problems a dental office is the better choice, because hospital emergency departments can usually only give you pain relief and antibiotics rather than treat the tooth itself, which means you will still need a dentist afterwards.
Yes. An abscess is a pocket of infection, and infections in the mouth can spread into the jaw and neck, so it needs treating rather than waiting out. Signs include a persistent throbbing ache, swelling in the gum or face, a bad taste, and pain when biting. If the swelling comes with a fever, or you are struggling to breathe or swallow, go to an emergency room rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
It depends on how deep the break goes. A large break, a crack that hurts, or any break that leaves a sharp edge or exposes the inside of the tooth should be seen quickly, because the nerve is vulnerable and the tooth can fracture further. A small chip in the enamel with no pain and no sharp edge can usually wait for a normal appointment. If you have a broken piece of the tooth, bring it with you.
Call your dentist the same day, because the tooth underneath is now unprotected and can be damaged or become sensitive quickly. Keep the crown if you still have it, since it can often be re-cemented. Avoid chewing on that side, and do not try to glue it back yourself, as household adhesives can damage the tooth and make it harder to fix properly.
At this practice the emergency visit itself is $55, which covers a full examination with a dentist and complete x-rays, normally valued at $267. That is what identifies the problem. The treatment that follows, whether that is a filling, a root canal or an extraction, is priced separately, and we will tell you what it costs before starting any of it.
Most dental plans include some cover for emergency examinations and x-rays, and many cover a share of the treatment that follows, but how much varies a great deal between plans and how much of your annual maximum you have already used. Bring your insurance details to the appointment and we will check what your plan covers before treatment starts.
We hold appointments open each day specifically for emergencies, so same day is often possible. It depends on the time you call and how urgent your case is. Call and describe what is happening, and we will tell you honestly what we can do and when.
Yes. You do not need to be an existing patient. Most people who call us in an emergency have never been here, and the $55 exam and x-ray offer applies to you as a new patient.
Rinsing gently with warm salt water can help, and a cold compress held against the outside of your cheek can reduce swelling and numb the area. Keep your head raised, including when sleeping, since lying flat often makes throbbing worse. Do not put aspirin or any painkiller directly against the gum, because it burns the tissue. When you call us, tell us how you are managing the pain and we will advise you for your specific situation.
If you have a fever with facial swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room now. Otherwise, manage the pain as above and call us first thing. Leave a message or send the form on this page and we will call you back as soon as we open, and you will already be in the queue for that day's emergency appointments.
The clinical guidance above follows Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic guidance. It is general information and cannot replace being examined. If you are unsure how serious your situation is, call us and describe it.
Dental problems do not settle down on their own, and the longer they run the more it usually takes to fix them. One call tells you what you are dealing with.