Tooth Pain, Broken Tooth or Dental Emergency? Get the Care You Need
A severe toothache, broken tooth or sudden dental injury can interrupt your day and leave you wondering what to do next. Getting the right care promptly can help relieve pain, address the underlying problem and prevent additional damage.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS, and Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS, provide emergency dental care in Austin, TX, for patients experiencing tooth pain, damaged teeth, dental infections and other urgent dental concerns.
Our experienced dentists focus on identifying the cause of your symptoms, explaining your treatment options and helping you protect your natural teeth whenever possible. With extensive experience in restorative dentistry, root canal treatment and dental extractions, our team can evaluate a wide range of dental emergencies.
Need an emergency dentist in Austin? Call 512-301-9002 now to describe your symptoms, discuss appointment availability and receive guidance on your next steps.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a problem involving your teeth, gums or mouth that requires prompt professional attention to relieve significant pain, control infection, address an injury or prevent further damage.
Some emergencies require treatment as soon as possible, while others can be evaluated during the next available dental appointment.
Common reasons to contact an emergency dentist include:
- Severe, persistent or worsening toothaches
- Broken, cracked or fractured teeth
- Knocked-out or partially dislodged permanent teeth
- Swelling around a tooth, the gums or jaw
- Suspected dental abscesses or infections
- Lost or broken dental crowns and fillings
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Dental injuries caused by accidents or sports
- Bleeding from the mouth following a dental injury
- Sudden or severe tooth sensitivity
If you are unsure whether your situation requires urgent dental treatment, call our office. We can discuss your symptoms and help you determine an appropriate next step.
Important: Difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, major facial trauma or uncontrolled bleeding requires immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Emergency Toothache Treatment in Austin, TX
Tooth pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek urgent dental care. A toothache may begin as mild sensitivity and develop into persistent throbbing, sharp pain or discomfort that interferes with eating and sleeping.
Pain can have several causes, including:
- Deep tooth decay or cavities
- Inflammation or infection inside a tooth
- Cracked or fractured teeth
- Loose or damaged dental restorations
- Gum inflammation or periodontal disease
- Dental trauma or injury
If you are looking for a dentist in Austin for a toothache, our team can evaluate the affected area and determine what is causing your discomfort.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve repairing a damaged tooth, replacing a restoration, performing root canal therapy or recommending an extraction when a tooth cannot be predictably preserved.
Pain medication may provide temporary relief, but it does not correct the underlying dental problem.
When Should You Call a Dentist for Tooth Pain?
Contact our office if your toothache is severe, persistent, worsening or accompanied by swelling, fever, pain when biting or difficulty eating.
Even if tooth pain suddenly disappears, the underlying problem may still require treatment. Certain dental infections can progress without continuous pain.
Prompt evaluation gives our dentists an opportunity to identify the cause and discuss appropriate treatment before additional complications develop.
Emergency Dental Care for Broken, Cracked and Knocked-Out Teeth
Dental injuries can happen while eating, playing sports, falling or experiencing an accident. The appropriate response depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
A broken tooth may expose sensitive inner tooth structures or create sharp edges that irritate your tongue or cheeks.
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water, save any broken fragments and avoid chewing on the affected tooth.
Minor chips may require relatively simple treatment, while larger fractures may need a crown or another restoration. If the damage extends into the tooth’s pulp, root canal treatment or extraction may be necessary.
Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth may cause sharp pain when biting, sensitivity to temperature or intermittent discomfort.
Some cracks are difficult to see without a dental examination. Treatment depends on the location and extent of the fracture.
Avoid chewing on the affected side and contact our office for an evaluation.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a time-sensitive dental emergency. Immediate action may improve the chance of saving the tooth.
- Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root.
- If dirty, gently rinse it with milk, saline or water without scrubbing.
- Do not remove attached tissue or allow the root to dry.
- If possible, gently place the tooth back into its socket without forcing it.
- If reinsertion is not possible, keep it in milk or an appropriate tooth-preservation solution.
- Seek emergency dental care immediately, ideally within 30 minutes.
Do not attempt to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
Call 512-301-9002 immediately for guidance. If our office cannot provide timely treatment, seek another emergency dental provider without delaying care.
Lost Crown or Filling
A missing crown or filling can leave a tooth sensitive or vulnerable to additional damage.
Keep the restoration if you have it, avoid chewing on the affected side and contact our office.
Do not use household glue to reattach a crown. Your dentist can determine whether the existing restoration can be reused or whether a replacement is needed.
Dental Abscesses, Swelling and Oral Infections
A dental abscess is a collection of pus associated with a bacterial infection. It may develop around a tooth root or in the surrounding gum tissues.
Possible symptoms include:
- Persistent or throbbing tooth pain
- Swollen or tender gums
- A pimple-like bump on the gums
- Pain when chewing or biting
- An unpleasant taste or drainage in the mouth
- Swelling in the jaw or face
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
Dental infections require professional evaluation. Treatment may involve drainage, root canal therapy, periodontal treatment or extraction, depending on the source of the infection.
Antibiotics may be appropriate in certain situations, but they do not replace the dental treatment needed to address the source of infection.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if swelling spreads rapidly, affects your neck or interferes with breathing or swallowing.
Emergency Dental Treatments Available at Our Practice
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, our dentists provide comprehensive dental services that can address many common causes of dental emergencies.
The treatment recommended will depend on your examination, diagnosis and the condition of the affected tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
When the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may help relieve pain and preserve the natural tooth.
Dr. Maggie Sharfae has provided root canal treatment since 1999. Her experience with endodontic and restorative procedures helps her evaluate whether a damaged or infected tooth may be preserved.
Root canal therapy may help preserve an infected or damaged tooth when treatment is appropriate. Our dentists will explain whether this option is suitable for your situation.
Dental Crowns and Restorations
A dental crown may be recommended when a tooth has suffered significant damage but can still be restored.
Crowns help protect weakened tooth structure and restore chewing function. Other restorations may be appropriate for smaller areas of damage.
Both dentists have extensive experience providing restorative dental treatment.
Explore our dental crown services.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is severely damaged, infected or cannot be predictably restored, extraction may be necessary.
Both Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae have provided tooth extractions and oral surgery since beginning their dental careers.
Our dentists evaluate whether a tooth can be preserved before recommending removal and explain your options for managing the area afterward.
Replacing a Tooth That Cannot Be Saved
If an emergency results in tooth loss, our dentists can discuss appropriate replacement options after addressing the immediate concern.
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae provides dental implant placement, and both dentists provide implant restorations.
Learn more about dental implants.
Not every emergency requires definitive restorative treatment during the initial visit. In some cases, the first appointment focuses on diagnosis, relieving discomfort or stabilizing the problem before additional care is scheduled.
What to Expect During Your Emergency Dental Appointment
Dental emergencies can be stressful, especially when you are experiencing significant pain. Our goal is to make the evaluation process clear and help you understand your treatment options.
1. Discuss Your Symptoms
We begin by reviewing your concerns, including when the problem started, the location of your pain and whether you have experienced swelling, injury or other symptoms.
2. Examine the Affected Area
Our dentist evaluates the involved teeth and surrounding tissues. Dental X-rays or other diagnostic imaging may be recommended to help identify the cause.
Our practice has used CBCT 3D imaging technology for more than 10 years. Advanced imaging may be useful for selected complex cases when conventional examinations and X-rays do not provide sufficient information.
3. Explain the Diagnosis and Treatment Options
We discuss our findings, recommend appropriate treatment and explain the benefits and limitations of your options.
When possible, we prioritize preserving natural teeth and restoring comfortable function.
4. Address the Immediate Problem
Depending on the diagnosis and appointment availability, care may involve treatment during your visit, temporary stabilization, medication when clinically appropriate or arranging additional treatment.
Our team will explain any necessary follow-up care and instructions.
What to Do While Waiting for Emergency Dental Care
Taking appropriate steps before your appointment may help reduce discomfort and prevent additional damage.
- For a toothache: Rinse gently with warm water, floss carefully if food is trapped and avoid chewing on the painful tooth.
- For swelling: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face for short intervals. Do not apply heat to a swollen area.
- For a broken tooth: Save any fragments, avoid hard foods and cover a sharp edge with dental wax if available.
- For bleeding: Apply gentle, steady pressure with clean gauze. Seek emergency medical care for heavy or uncontrolled bleeding.
- For a lost crown: Keep the crown in a safe place and avoid chewing on the exposed tooth.
- For pain relief: An over-the-counter pain reliever may help if it is safe for you and used according to its label. Do not place aspirin directly against your tooth or gums.
Avoid attempting to drain an abscess, extract a tooth or repair dental damage with household materials.
These measures are temporary. They do not replace professional dental evaluation and treatment.
Experienced Emergency Dentists Serving Austin and Oak Hill
When you have a dental emergency, experience matters. Identifying the cause of pain and determining whether a tooth can be saved often requires knowledge of restorative dentistry, endodontics, oral surgery and dental anatomy.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, patients receive care from dentists with decades of clinical experience.
Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Maggie Sharfae graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School in 1999.
She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis from 1999 to 2000 and has practiced dentistry since 1999.
Her clinical experience includes root canal therapy, dental crowns, tooth extractions, oral surgery and restorative treatment. She also taught clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2001 and has practiced dentistry since that year.
His experience includes restorative dentistry, dental crowns, tooth extractions, oral surgery, dental implant treatment and full-mouth rehabilitation.
He also taught preclinical and clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Both dentists are members of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and Capital Area Dental Society.
Personalized Care From a Familiar Dental Team
Our privately owned practice has been under the care of Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae since 2003.
We emphasize continuity of care, clear communication and respect for our patients’ time.
When you are experiencing a dental emergency, we want you to understand what is happening, what treatment may be needed and how to protect your oral health moving forward.
Emergency Dental Care in Oak Hill and Southwest Austin
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill serves patients in Austin, Texas, including Oak Hill, Southwest Austin, the William Cannon area and surrounding communities.
Whether you are searching for an emergency dentist in Austin, a dentist for a painful toothache or urgent care for a broken tooth, our team can discuss your symptoms and available appointment options.
We understand that dental problems do not always happen at convenient times. Call 512-301-9002 as soon as possible when you experience an urgent dental concern.
Appointment availability varies, so please contact our office directly rather than assuming immediate or same-day treatment is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry
How can I find an emergency dentist in Austin, TX?
Call Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill at 512-301-9002 to describe your symptoms and ask about urgent appointment availability. Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae provide emergency dental evaluations and treatment for a range of toothaches, dental injuries and other urgent concerns in Austin.
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment?
Same-day availability depends on the office schedule and the nature of your emergency. Call our team as soon as possible so we can discuss your symptoms, available appointments and appropriate next steps.
When should I see an emergency dentist for a toothache?
Contact a dentist promptly if your toothache is severe, persistent, worsening or accompanied by swelling, fever or pain when biting. Severe tooth pain can indicate decay, infection, a cracked tooth or another condition requiring treatment.
What should I do if my tooth breaks?
Rinse your mouth gently, save any broken fragments and avoid chewing on the affected tooth. Contact our office for an evaluation. Treatment may involve a filling, crown, root canal or extraction depending on the extent of the damage.
Can an emergency dentist save an infected tooth?
In some cases, root canal therapy can remove infected tissue and preserve the natural tooth. Other teeth may require extraction if the damage or infection is too extensive. Our dentists evaluate the condition of the tooth before recommending treatment.
Should I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?
Most toothaches, broken teeth and lost restorations are best evaluated by a dentist. Go to an emergency department for difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, major facial injuries or uncontrolled bleeding.
What should I do if a permanent tooth gets knocked out?
Handle the tooth by its crown, avoid touching the root and gently rinse it if dirty. Reinsert it if possible without force, or keep it in milk or a tooth-preservation solution. Seek immediate dental treatment, ideally within 30 minutes. Never reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth.
Can a dental abscess go away without treatment?
A dental abscess generally requires professional treatment to address the source of infection. Pain may temporarily improve, but the infection can remain or spread. Contact a dentist promptly if you suspect an abscess, especially if you have swelling or fever.
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
The cost depends on the examination, diagnostic imaging and treatment required. A painful tooth that needs a filling may involve different costs than root canal therapy, a crown or an extraction. Our team can discuss recommended treatment and associated costs after evaluating your condition.
What if I have a dental emergency outside regular office hours?
If our office is closed, follow any after-hours instructions provided through our phone system. For a time-sensitive dental injury, seek another available emergency dental provider if necessary. Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, severe spreading swelling or uncontrolled bleeding requires emergency medical care.
Don’t Wait to Get Help for a Dental Emergency
Severe tooth pain, a broken tooth or a suspected dental infection deserves prompt attention. Getting an accurate diagnosis can help you understand your treatment options, address discomfort and reduce the risk of further complications.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae provide experienced, personalized emergency dental care for patients in Austin, Oak Hill and surrounding communities.
Need urgent dental care? Call 512-301-9002 now to discuss your symptoms and request an emergency dental appointment in Austin, Texas.