Facial or Dental Emergencies — Houston, TX

Quickly Relieving Pain & Restoring Smiles

No matter how many precautions you take, a dental emergency can strike when you least expect it. Either of our two Houston oral surgeons, Dr. Weil and Dr. Koo, or a backup dentist are on call at all times. If you have a facial or dental emergency in Houston during normal office hours, please call the oral surgery office. If you are a patient of record (you have been seen in the oral surgery office by our oral surgeons previously) and you need assistance after business hours, you may call the oral surgery office number to have the answering service page the dentist. To learn more about navigating these urgent situations, continue reading or contact us as soon as possible for assistance.

Why Choose Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Advanced Dental Techniques and Technologies
  • Multiple Financing Options Available

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Man in need of dental emergency treating holding jaw
  • Contact us right away. The sooner you give us a call, the better chance we have of restoring your oral health that very same day. We’ll do our best to address your emergency as soon as possible. Over the phone, a team member will walk you through basic first-aid instructions until you reach us.
  • Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, we’ll examine your mouth to identify the cause of your emergency. Depending on your situation, we may also be able to relieve any serious pain you’re in.
  • Review your options. After your examination, our team will review our findings with you. We’ll explain your treatment options and work with you to create a custom treatment plan that’ll get your smile back to normal.
  • Get the care you need. We’ll work quickly to repair your smile and protect your teeth. Rest assured – we’ll always focus on your health, safety, and comfort.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

From dental injuries to severe tooth infections, we’re happy to handle a wide variety of dental emergencies. When you call our oral surgery office, we’ll ask you to describe your symptoms as clearly as possible; we’ll then give you advice on performing first aid so that the damage doesn’t get any worse before you get to our oral surgery office. Below, you can find tips that will help you deal with a variety of dental emergencies on your own while waiting for an emergency appointment.

Soft Tissue Facial Injuries

Oral surgeon treating soft tissue facial injury

Soft tissue facial injuries are classified as ones involving the skin and/or the gum tissue and can happen for a wide variety of reasons, from rough falls to sports games to work-related accidents. Thankfully, the Piney Point team is well-versed in diagnosing/treating all types of lacerations. With precise suturing, we’re able to repair the damage effectively while also taking care to minimize any cosmetic impacts that patients understandably may be concerned about.

Bone Injuries of the Maxillofacial Region

3 D image of face after bone injury in the jaw

Fractures in the face are treated very similarly to fractures that could occur in any other part of the human body. Our approach will depend on several important factors, including the severity of the fracture, the patient’s age/general health, and the specific location. Since casts cannot be placed on the face, we must utilize other ways to stabilize the bone and facilitate healing. This could involve small places, screws, or wiring – whatever we determine will result in the smoothest recovery and a minimal impact to the patient’s appearance.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Woman holding cheek in pain during dental emergency treatment

No two dental emergencies are the same. Even two patients who both have cavities could have slight differences in their cases that call for different kinds of treatment. No matter what the issue is, however, seeing us as soon as possible is generally the best way to keep your out-of-pocket costs down; that way, we can begin the treatment before the situation becomes more complex and costly to treat. We’ll also discuss dental insurance and financing options to make your care more affordable.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Patient with toothache talking to dentist
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An emergency exam is relatively affordable. During the appointment, we will evaluate the situation so we can recommend a treatment.

Emergency treatment itself can come at a wide variety of different prices. It depends on the type of surgery we must perform, the extent of the surgery, and the type/amount of sedation used. For example, removing one wisdom tooth with local anesthesia will cost significantly less than removing four impacted wisdom teeth with the aid of IV sedation.

You can trust our team to always be upfront with you about pricing. We do not want you to run into any unpleasant surprises when the time comes to pay for your treatment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Smiling man visiting his general dentist
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Some emergency cases arise as the result of inevitable circumstances, such as a tragic accident. In other instances, though, emergencies could have been avoided if more precautions were implemented. Here are a few basic things you can do to minimize your dental care costs:

  • Take great care of your smile. Regular visits to your general dentist, thorough oral hygiene, and a balanced diet can do much to preserve the health of your teeth.
  • Seek care as soon as you notice that something is amiss. Delaying treatment can allow your condition to worsen, leading to the need for more complex (and more expensive) treatment. Call us or your general dentist for guidance whenever you suspect that you require oral care.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental and health insurance cards next to stethoscope
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Dental insurance typically covers one emergency exam by a general dentist each year. However, because we are a specialty practice, your policy may work a little differently when you visit us. Also, keep in mind that while some of the emergency services we perform, like complex tooth extractions, are often partially covered by dental insurance, other treatments may not be. For example, surgery for bone injuries is more likely to be covered by medical insurance.

Our team will help you navigate your benefits and understand how they apply to your unique situation.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Young couple learning about payment options
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While your insurance may cover part of your care, it is unlikely to cover all of it. If you cannot pay your entire out-of-pocket obligation at once, ask us about third-party financing. We may be able to help you apply for a low-interest payment plan. Most patients who apply are approved for credit.

The Piney Point OMS team is ready to answer your questions about the cost of emergency oral surgery. Contact us today so we can help you understand the road ahead.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Woman brushing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

Our team is always ready to assist you if you face an emergency that requires the care of an oral surgeon. However, wouldn’t you agree that it is better to prevent such emergencies from occurring in the first place? Continue reading below to discover helpful tips that will protect your precious smile.

Visit Your General Dentist Regularly 

Dentist appointment marked on calendar with red thumbtack

Your general dentist is one of your first lines of defense against dental emergencies. Try to visit them once every six months for a cleaning and checkup. The checkup will reveal whether you have any developing oral health issues that require treatment, either by your dentist or our team. The cleaning portion of your appointment will remove plaque and tartar that might otherwise lead to cavities.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Woman in front of mirror, flossing her teeth

Poor oral hygiene habits can allow decay and gum disease to devastate your oral health, leading to the need for tooth replacement, bone grafts, and other major procedures. To maintain a clean mouth, you should:

  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush and fluoridated toothpaste.
  • Floss daily. Use old-fashioned string floss, and be sure not to “snap” it between your teeth.
  • Drink plenty of water. This can rinse away food particles and bacteria.

Watch What You Eat 

Colorful salad photographed from above

Missteps in how and what you eat can increase your risk of a dental emergency. Be sure to limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods, such as soda, candies, and desserts. You should also avoid hard foods that might break your teeth. Try to center your diet on items that are rich in nutrients that support oral health. Dairy products, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, can all help your smile to thrive.

Wear a Mouthguard 

Woman placing mouthguard in her mouth

There are two types of mouthguards. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you should use one that places a protective barrier between your upper and lower dental arches. It can prevent your teeth from harming one another.

If you play sports, you should wear a mouthguard that designed for use on the field or court. It can greatly reduce the risk of severe injuries to your teeth and soft oral tissues.

Use Tools, Not Teeth, to Open Packaging 

Hand holding scissors against teal background

It can be tempting to use your teeth to open boxes, bottles, and other containers. Doing so is not wise. You could easily chip a tooth or cause significant premature wear and tear on your enamel. If you have dental implants, you could damage one of your restorations or place too much pressure on the underlying implant post. It is always best to use scissors or another appropriate tool to open packages.

Emergency Oral Surgery FAQs

Question marks floating between person’s extended hands

The team at Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is ready to leap into action to help patients who are in urgent need of our services. Before you save our number in your phone, though, you may want to know more about emergency oral surgery and how you can prepare for various situations. To assist you, we have provided the following list of frequently asked questions, along with to-the-point answers. Call us directly if you would like further explanation on anything you discover here.

Can the Emergency Room Remove a Tooth?

Only licensed dentists and dental specialists are legally authorized to perform tooth removal. Most hospitals do not have anyone on-staff who is able to perform the procedure. At best, they may provide antibiotics and pain medication as they instruct you to visit a qualified oral health professional as soon as possible.

If you believe you need a tooth removed, it would be best to visit an oral surgeon or your general dentist. After a thorough exam, they might even determine that your tooth is salvageable and does not need to be removed at all.

What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?

Jaw pain can have a number of different causes, ranging from broken bones to TMJ dysfunction. Our team can take images of your oral structures, evaluate the functioning of your jaw, and recommend your next steps. We are able to provide a number of different treatments for TMD. We can also perform surgery to help mend broken facial bones.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

Exactly where you should go depends on the specifics of your situation. If you are bleeding excessively from the mouth, have swelling that is interfering with your breathing, believe you have a broken jaw, or are experiencing any other life-threatening symptoms, the emergency room should be your first stop.

In other situations, your priority should be to see a dental professional as soon as possible. Most hospital emergency rooms are not equipped to handle issues like jaw pain, toothaches, complications after oral surgery, and other issues that related directly to dental health. Give our office a call, and we will let you know whether you should visit us or make the trip to see your general dentist.

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Having an emergency dentistry kit can help you to minimize your pain and protect your oral health while you are waiting to see a qualified oral health practitioner. Here are some items it would be wise to keep on hand:

  • A small storage container to hold teeth or lost restorations.
  • Sterile gloves
  • Dressings and gauze pads
  • Cotton balls
  • A temporary filling material
  • Dental cement
  • Petroleum jelly
  • An oral analgesic
  • Painkillers
  • An ice pack
  • Contact information for your general dentist and our oral surgery practice
  • Your dental insurance information
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Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

A toothache is not a dental problem. Rather, it is a symptom of a dental problem that can have a range of causes. If any of the following are true, you may need to seek urgent care for your toothache:

  • A tooth has suffered visible damage
  • There is a pimple-like bump on your gums
  • The pain is interfering with your ability to carry out your daily tasks
  • A tooth is darker than the ones around it.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

It is fine to take pain medication to alleviate your discomfort, but do not place aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gums (you might accidentally cause chemical burns). Try to avoid chewing with the affected tooth. If there is swelling, a cold compress may help. If there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, do not attempt to pop it.

How We Treat Toothaches  

A general dentist is able to address most toothaches. They may recommend a filling, root canal therapy, or another restorative treatment. However, you may need our services if a tooth is badly damaged and needs to be extracted. This is often the case with impacted wisdom teeth.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? 

In most cases, a chipped tooth is not an urgent dental emergency. However, you should still seek treatment within a few days because the damage could easily worsen. The tooth’s jagged edges might also cause some discomfort for your sensitive soft tissues.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth  

Rinse your mouth with warm water, and use a cold compress to minimize swelling. If the tooth’s sharp edges are bothering you, cover them with sugar-free chewing gum or orthodontic wax.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth  

In most cases, a general dentist is the best person to address a chipped tooth. They may use bonding to repair the damage; the process is fast and provides aesthetically pleasing results. However, bonding usually lasts for just a few years. A veneer, on the other hand, has the potential to last for decades. Ask your dentist about all of your treatment options so you can make a well-informed decision.

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Minor damage is not urgent, but large or deep cracks should receive treatment right away. Also, keep in mind that you might have a cracked tooth even if you do not see any damage; the crack might be beneath your gumline or between your teeth. It you are ever unsure of whether you need treatment, it is best to err on the side of caution.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth  

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the tooth. A cold compress can minimize swelling. Do not do anything that might worsen the damage, such as eating hard foods or grinding your teeth.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth  

A general dentist may recommend dental bonding to fill in a crack. In some cases, though, a crown is necessary in order to protect the tooth from further damage. If the damage is extreme, it might be necessary to remove the tooth altogether and replace it with a dental implant.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? 

Sensitive teeth can be a symptom of numerous dental problems, some of which are non-urgent. Other issues, though, can require immediate attention. Any new or worsening sensitivity is a reason to give your general dentist a call.

How You Should Handle Sensitive Teeth

Tell your dentist about the situation. Depending on the details of your case, they might urge you to come in for an emergency appointment, or they might give you at-home care tips to tide you over until it is more convenient for you to visit them. For example, they might tell you to avoid certain foods or use desensitizing toothpaste.

How We Treat Tooth Sensitivity 

The best way to address dental sensitivity depends on what is causing it. Some patients require something as simple as a fluoride treatment or some prescription mouthwash. In other cases, more invasive treatment might be necessary. You could need root canal therapy, gum disease therapy, or a gum graft.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? 

A knocked-out tooth, also called an avulsed tooth, is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. You should seek care within an hour or so of getting the tooth knocked out in order to increase the chances that it can be saved.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth 

Touching the tooth only by its top part (the crown), pick it up and gently rinse off any debris. Then, be sure to keep it moist. You can try to place it back in its socket or tuck it between your cheek and gums. If neither of those things is possible, place it in a glass of milk or use a tooth preservation kit. Try not to use plain water because it could damage some of the tooth’s sensitive cells.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

We might be able to splint the tooth back into place. Over time, your body should gradually reintegrate it. If saving the tooth is not possible, we will tend the damage to your oral tissues and talk to you about your tooth replacement options. For example, you might be eligible for a dental implant.

<Learn More About Dental Implants> 

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? 

A lost filling or dental crown is not a particularly urgent emergency, but it is a reason to see your general dentist as soon as your schedule allows. Letting the problem to go unaddressed could lead to significant damage to your tooth. You may also end up with an agonizing toothache.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown 

Try to find the lost restoration and place it in a small storage container so you can bring it with you to your dental appointment. You should be careful to avoid chewing with the tooth that lost its crown or filling. It would also be wise to avoid any foods that could cause sensitivity, such as hot, cold, and spicy items.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns 

Your dentist may be able to recement the lost restoration into its former place. If that is not possible, you may need an entirely new restoration. There is also the chance that your tooth will need some further treatment before it can support another filling or crown.

Broken Denture

Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

You should not attempt to wear a broken denture, and not wearing a denture at all can be quite inconvenient. Therefore, you should seek professional care as soon as it is reasonable to do so.

How to Handle a Broken Denture

Do not try to repair the denture on your own; you might end up worsening the damage! Instead, properly store the denture and bring it with you to your dental appointment. Eat soft foods until your prosthetic teeth are functional again.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

Your general dentist may be able to repair your dentures. However, it is also possible that you will need a new prosthetic. If that is the case, consider using the opportunity to upgrade to implant dentures, which are much stronger and more convenient than their traditional counterparts.

<Learn More About Implant Dentures>

<Learn More About Dental Implants>

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A loose permanent tooth is in danger of falling out altogether, so you should certainly seek care as soon as possible. This is true even if you are not in any pain.

How You Should Handle a Loose Permanent Tooth

Avoid doing anything that could cause the tooth to become even looser. For example, you should not eat hard foods or wiggle the tooth with your fingers or tongue.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

In some cases, it is possible to save a lost tooth with a bone graft or other advanced procedures. In other instances, we have to remove a loose tooth altogether. Later on, it might be possible to replace the tooth with a dental implant.

<Learn More About Dental Implants>

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

Soft tissue injuries in the mouth can be frightening because they tend to bleed a lot. If you cannot get the situation under control fairly quickly, it would be wise to receive professional care.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

If you are experiencing severe bleeding or other life-threatening symptoms, go to the local emergency room. Do your best to control the bleeding with gauze and light pressure. A cold pack can minimize swelling.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

We can clean the wound and place sutures if necessary to help it heal. We may also examine your mouth for other signs of damage. If you were injured during sports, we may recommend that you invest in a high-quality mouthguard.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain can have numerous causes, some of which require urgent care. If the pain is severe or interfering with your daily life, you should receive professional medical attention ASAP.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, visit the local ER. Otherwise, take some painkillers, eat a soft diet, and apply an ice pack to minimize discomfort.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

We offer a number of different treatments that can help to relieve jaw pain, from TMJ therapy to complex surgeries. We will recommend the best option for you after we are able to evaluate the situation.

<Learn More About TMJ Therapy>

<Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction>

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having something stuck between your teeth can be annoying and uncomfortable! Try swishing vigorously with warm water to dislodge the object. You can also use dental floss. Tie a knot in the floss, insert it between your teeth, and use the knot to try to knock the object out of place. Do not use a knife, tweezers, or other sharp objects in an attempt to poke the item out of where it is stuck.

If your attempts to remove the object on your own prove to be unsuccessful, call your general dentist. They will do all they can to assist you.