Emergency Dental Service in Austin, TX
Dental emergencies don't schedule themselves. A crown comes loose over the weekend, a tooth cracks on a popcorn kernel, or a dull ache turns into throbbing pain at two in the morning.
At Apex Dental, Dr. Bhavani Sriramaneni, DMD, keeps time open in the schedule specifically for urgent cases, so patients near central Austin aren't stuck waiting days to be seen. Call us as early in the day as you can, and we'll do our best to get you in for same-day care.
If you're in pain right now, call 512-444-3494. Describing what's happening over the phone helps us prepare before you arrive.
Emergency Dental Care We Provide
Not sure whether your situation qualifies? If it hurts, bleeds, or something in your mouth has come loose or broken, it's worth a phone call. Here's what we treat most often:
Loose or Lost Crowns
A crown that shifts or falls off leaves the tooth underneath exposed and vulnerable. Keep the crown if you have it! We can often re-cement the original.
Loose Bridges
A bridge that's come unseated can damage the supporting teeth if you keep chewing on it. Stop using that side and come in.
Loose or Lost Fillings
The cavity underneath is now open to bacteria and temperature. This one often feels minor, but it isn't.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Even a small chip can leave a sharp edge that cuts your tongue or cheek. Larger breaks may expose the nerve.
Cracked Teeth
Cracks are tricky: pain that comes and goes when you bite or release is a classic sign. Catching it early often means the difference between a crown and a root canal.
Toothaches
Persistent pain usually signals decay reaching the nerve, infection, or a problem with the bite. Pain that keeps you awake needs attention now, not at your next checkup.
Tooth Abscesses
A pocket of infection at the root, often with swelling, a bad taste, or fever. Abscesses don't resolve on their own, and the infection can spread. Treat this as urgent.
Soft Tissue Damage and Gum Bleeding
We handle cuts to the gums, lips, tongue, or cheek, as well as gums that bleed heavily or won't stop.
Loose or Knocked-Out Teeth
See below. Time matters more here than with anything else on this list.
What Should I Do With Knocked-Out Teeth?
An adult tooth that's been knocked out can sometimes be saved, but the window is short. Aim to reach a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes.
- Pick it up by the crown, the chewing surface, and don't touch the root.
- Rinse gently with milk, saline, or water if it's dirty. Don't scrub it, and don't use soap.
- Try to reinsert it into the socket and bite down softly on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't reinsert it, store it in milk, saline, or between your cheek and gum. Never store it in plain water for long, and never let it dry out.
- Call us immediately at 512-444-3494 and head over to our office.
For a baby tooth, don't try to reinsert it! That can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Call us and we'll advise.
Prevention Is Best
Most emergencies we see were preventable, and a few small habits go a long way:
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports. Custom-fitted beats the boil-and-bite version
- Wear a nightguard if you grind or clench
- Skip ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy, and using your teeth to open packaging
- Keep up with six-month exams so small cavities and cracks get caught early
- Don't ignore mild, recurring pain! That's often the warning shot
Emergency Dentistry — Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe toothaches, a knocked out or loose tooth, a cracked or broken tooth, facial swelling, a lost filling or crown, and bleeding that will not stop are all reasons to call right away. If you have swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, or a high fever, go to the nearest emergency room first.
Can I get a same day emergency appointment at Apex Dental?
Yes, Apex Dental reserves time for dental emergencies and does everything possible to see patients in Austin, TX the same day they call. Calling as early as possible gives us the best chance to get you in quickly and relieve your pain.
What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and gently rinse it without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket and hold it in place, or keep it in a cup of milk, and call us immediately. Teeth have the best chance of being saved when they are treated within 30 to 60 minutes.
How can I manage a toothache until I see the dentist?
Rinse with warm salt water, gently floss to remove any trapped food, and take an over the counter pain reliever as directed on the label. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums, since it can burn the tissue. A toothache often signals infection or decay, so it is important to be seen even if the pain fades.
Pricing and Insurance
We'll give you a cost estimate before treatment, even in an emergency visit. We accept most major dental plans and verify your benefits up front.
No insurance? That's not a barrier to getting dental care here. We offer self-pay pricing and payment plan options, and emergency treatment is almost always cheaper than waiting until the problem worsens.
Have a Dental Emergency? Give Us a Call Now!
You don't need to be an existing patient. If you're looking for an emergency dentist in Austin, we're here for you. Call 512-444-3494.
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