About Emergency Dentistry
Dental pain has a way of arriving at the worst possible time. When it does, call us first. During office hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, we hold time in the schedule for same-day emergency visits, and our front office will get you in as quickly as we can. If you call after hours, leave a message with your name, number and what is happening; we return calls first thing the next business morning.
The most common emergencies we treat are severe toothaches, which often signal deep decay or an abscess; cracked or broken teeth from an accident or a hard bite; lost or broken fillings and crowns; knocked-out or displaced teeth; swelling of the gums or face; and soft-tissue injuries to the lips, cheeks or tongue. We start by relieving pain and stabilizing the problem, then talk through a definitive fix, which might be a tooth-colored filling, a same-day CEREC crown, root canal therapy, or an extraction.
Some situations need to go directly to an emergency room, not a dental office: uncontrolled bleeding, swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, a suspected broken jaw, or any injury with a loss of consciousness. Call 911 for those. For a knocked-out adult tooth, time matters: handle the tooth by the crown, rinse it gently without scrubbing, place it back in the socket if you can or keep it in milk, and call us immediately.
Being honest about our hours is part of caring for you. We are a Monday-through-Thursday practice, and we would rather you know that now than discover it in pain on a Saturday. Our voicemail includes guidance for after-hours situations, and we will always see established patients with an emergency at the earliest available opening.
Benefits
- Same-day appointments held for emergencies during office hours
- Pain relief first, then a clear plan for definitive treatment
- CEREC technology to replace a broken tooth or lost crown in one visit
- Plain guidance on when to go to the ER instead
- New patients with emergencies are welcome
Is it right for you?
Anyone in Vacaville or the surrounding area with a toothache, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost crown or filling, swelling, or an injury to the mouth during our business hours. You do not have to be an existing patient. If your emergency happens on a Friday, weekend or evening, our voicemail explains how to reach care, and we will see you at the first available opening on Monday. Life-threatening situations belong at the emergency room or with 911, not a dental office.
What happens, step by step
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Call (707) 453-1776 and describe what is happening
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Focused exam and X-ray of the problem area
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Immediate relief: numbing, drainage of infection, smoothing a sharp edge, or a temporary restoration
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Discussion of definitive treatment and costs
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Follow-up visit scheduled if needed
What to expect at your visit
Call first so we can prepare. When you arrive, we take you to a treatment room promptly, take an X-ray of the area, and examine the tooth and surrounding tissue. Dr. Carter will explain what is causing the problem and what can be done today. In most cases we can relieve pain the same day, whether by removing decay and placing a temporary or permanent filling, starting a root canal, prescribing antibiotics for infection, or removing a tooth that cannot be saved. You leave with instructions, medication if needed, and a plan.
Why choose Regency Dental Group
We have treated dental emergencies in Vacaville for decades and understand that the first job is to make the pain stop and the second is to explain your options without pressure. With CEREC in the office, many broken teeth and lost crowns can be permanently restored in a single visit rather than patched with a temporary. If you are anxious, we can talk through oral sedation for the definitive treatment visit. We accept most PPO plans and CareCredit, and we will give you a clear estimate before anything beyond emergency relief is done.
Aftercare
Follow the specific instructions we give you. Take medication as prescribed, avoid chewing on the treated side until numbness wears off, and call us if pain or swelling worsens rather than improves. Swelling that spreads toward the eye or neck, fever, or difficulty swallowing require immediate emergency room care.
Cost, insurance and timing
Emergency exams and X-rays are typically covered by insurance; the cost of definitive treatment depends on what the tooth needs, and we will quote it before proceeding. Wisdom teeth, complex surgical extractions and trauma involving the jaw are referred to an oral surgeon.
Frequently asked questions
Do you see dental emergencies on weekends?
No. Our office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. Otherwise call our office; the voicemail includes after-hours guidance and we return calls the next business morning.
What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?
Hold it by the crown, rinse gently, and place it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Call us immediately; teeth replanted within an hour have the best chance.
Can I come in if I am not a current patient?
Yes. New patients with emergencies are welcome during office hours.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Sometimes pain subsides when the nerve dies, but the infection does not. A toothache is a reason to be seen, not to wait.
The information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Outcomes vary by patient. Please schedule an exam to discuss your specific situation.