Emergency Dentistry in DeLand, Florida
Get immediate relief for urgent dental problems that require prompt attention to relieve pain, prevent complications, and preserve oral health. At DeLand Family Dental, Dr. Craig Barney provides same-day care for severe tooth pain, broken or knocked out teeth, lost fillings, and injuries, with the goal of relieving pain quickly and protecting your oral health.
According to Dr Barney,
“You don’t have to live with dental pain. Relief can start today, and we’re ready to help you feel comfortable again right now.”
Our urgent care services ensure patients receive prompt relief when dental problems can’t wait for a regular appointment. Don’t suffer with dental pain or delay treatment when you need immediate attention.
Understanding Dental Emergencies
A true dental emergency is any situation that needs immediate attention to control pain, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or prevent complications. These problems can appear without warning and make eating, speaking, or even sleeping difficult.
Understanding what constitutes a genuine emergency helps you determine when to seek immediate care versus scheduling a routine appointment. When in doubt, it’s always better to contact our emergency service for professional evaluation and guidance.
Emergency Types and Response Time Guide
Our emergency dentist in DeLand provides rapid response for these common situations:
| Emergency Type | Severity Level | Response Time | Immediate Action |
| Knocked-out tooth | Critical | Within 30-60 minutes | Store in milk, call immediately |
| Severe tooth pain | High | Same day | Cold compress, pain medication, call |
| Facial swelling/fever | High | Same day or ER | Call immediately, monitor breathing |
| Broken tooth with pain | Moderate-High | Same day | Save pieces, avoid chewing |
| Lost crown/filling | Moderate | Within 24-48 hours | Temporary cement, avoid hard foods |
| Minor chip | Low | Within a week | Cover sharp edges, schedule soon |
Common Emergency Situations We Treat
Severe Tooth Pain Relief
Throbbing pain that disrupts your day or wakes you at night often means infection or nerve involvement. Same-day care may include starting a root canal, draining an abscess, or another urgent treatment to calm the tooth and remove the cause. If swelling appears or pain does not improve with over-the-counter medication, contact us for immediate evaluation.
Broken and Cracked Teeth
Dental trauma from accidents, sports injuries, or biting hard objects can fracture teeth and expose sensitive internal structures. Broken teeth require immediate evaluation to determine if the tooth can be saved and what treatment is necessary to prevent further damage.
Large fractures that expose the tooth’s nerve often cause severe pain and may require emergency treatment to preserve the tooth. Smaller chips may be repaired with composite bonding or filling procedures.
Knocked-Out Teeth
A tooth that comes out completely needs very fast care. The best chance to save it is within 30 to 60 minutes. Hold the tooth by the crown, rinse gently if needed, place it back in the socket if you can, or store it in milk or saliva. Come in immediately.
Lost Fillings and Crowns
Lost restorations expose sensitive tooth structure and can cause significant discomfort. Emergency care for lost fillings or crowns prevents further damage to the tooth while providing immediate pain relief.
Temporary solutions may provide short-term comfort, but professional restoration or replacement should occur as soon as possible to prevent tooth fracture or decay. While we don’t do same-day crowns, we can fit a temporary crown, and order a permanent crown that will typically look and fit better than a ‘same day’ crown.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency Before Your Appointment
Immediate Steps for Tooth Pain
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around the painful tooth. Use dental floss to gently remove any food particles that might be causing irritation. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and numb pain.
Over-the-counter pain medications can provide temporary relief, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the gums as this can cause tissue damage. Contact our emergency service immediately for professional evaluation and treatment.
Managing Broken Teeth
Collect any pieces and rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is bleeding, place gentle pressure with gauze. Use a cold compress for swelling and cover sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum. Do not chew on that side and come in as soon as you can.
Handling Knocked-Out Teeth
Pick up the tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse gently with water if needed, but do not scrub. Try to place it back in the socket and bite lightly on clean gauze. If that is not possible, place it in milk, saliva, or a tooth preservation kit and come in immediately.
Advanced Emergency Care Services
Same-Day Pain Relief
We begin with a careful diagnosis and local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Relief may come from opening a tooth to calm the nerve, draining an infection, or beginning definitive treatment. The goal is to stop pain quickly and protect your health.
Urgent Tooth Repair
Repairs can include bonding chipped enamel, replacing a filling or crown, or stabilizing a tooth that was loosened by an injury. When appropriate, we can place a ceramic restoration the same day so the tooth is protected without relying on a temporary.
Infection Treatment
Emergency treatment of infections includes drainage procedures, antibiotic therapy, and definitive treatment of infected teeth. Prompt treatment prevents the spread of infection and more serious health complications.
Dr. Barney coordinates with medical professionals when necessary for patients with severe infections requiring hospitalization or intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Emergency Care Technology
Digital X-Rays for Rapid Diagnosis
Emergency diagnosis relies on immediate access to high-quality imaging to assess tooth and bone damage. Our digital X-ray system provides instant results that guide emergency treatment decisions.
Advanced imaging capabilities help Dr. Barney quickly identify fractured roots, bone damage, and other injuries that might not be visible during clinical examination.
Emergency Restoration Care
When dental emergencies happen, our team can often make immediate repairs to protect your tooth and relieve discomfort. This may include bonding chipped enamel, replacing a filling, or placing a temporary restoration the same day. For permanent crowns, we take digital impressions with our iTero scanner and partner with a professional dental lab.
Each crown is carefully crafted and strengthened for exceptional durability and aesthetics, giving you a long-lasting solution that is worth the short wait.
Prevention and Risk Reduction
Protective Measures
Many emergencies can be prevented through appropriate protective measures and lifestyle modifications. Custom-fitted mouthguards protect teeth during sports activities and can prevent serious dental trauma.
Nightguards protect teeth from damage due to grinding or clenching during sleep. These protective appliances can prevent tooth fractures and reduce the risk of emergency situations.
Regular Preventive Care
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and getting regular exams helps identify potential problems before they become emergencies. Early intervention prevents many urgent situations.
Professional cleanings and examinations help maintain oral health and reduce the likelihood of unexpected problems that may require emergency treatment.
Avoiding Common Risk Factors
Certain habits and activities increase the risk of emergencies. Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or non-food objects that can fracture teeth. Don’t use teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
Maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding excessive sugar consumption helps prevent decay that can lead to infections and potentially more severe health issues.
When to Call an Emergency Dentist in DeLand
Immediate Emergency Situations
Call right away if pain is severe and not controlled, if your face is swelling, if you have trouble swallowing or breathing, if bleeding will not stop, or if several teeth or the jaw are injured. These signs can indicate serious complications and require immediate care.
Urgent But Less Critical Situations
Contact our emergency service promptly for moderate to severe tooth pain, lost fillings or crowns, cracked teeth, or minor trauma. While these situations may not be life-threatening, prompt treatment can prevent complications and provide pain relief.
Early intervention often allows for less invasive treatment compared to waiting until the problem becomes more severe.
After-Hours Emergency Protocol
For emergencies occurring outside regular office hours, contact our emergency service line for immediate guidance and treatment coordination. Dr. Barney provides after-hours emergency coverage for urgent problems.
Serious medical emergencies involving difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or signs of severe infection should be treated at hospital emergency rooms before seeking dental care.
Emergency Care Coverage and Payment
Insurance and Emergency Coverage
Many insurance plans provide some coverage for emergency care, though benefits vary by plan and treatment. Our team can bill all major insurance on your behalf to help you receive any eligible reimbursement.
Emergency care focuses on immediate pain relief and stabilization, with comprehensive treatment planning occurring after the urgent situation is resolved.
Flexible Payment Solutions
Emergencies often occur unexpectedly, creating both financial stress and physical discomfort. We accept major credit cards, CareCredit financing, cash, and can bill most insurance plans to make urgent care more accessible when you need it most.
Comprehensive Follow-Up Care
Post-Emergency Treatment
After addressing the immediate emergency, comprehensive treatment planning ensures long-term success in oral health. This may involve restorative treatments, periodontal therapy, or other procedures to fully address underlying problems.
Follow-up appointments monitor healing and ensure that the emergency treatment was successful, while also preventing future complications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies in Deland
What should I do for severe tooth pain at night?
Use over-the-counter pain relief as directed and a cold compress on the cheek. Do not apply heat. Call our emergency line, since severe pain often signals an infection that needs prompt treatment.
How quickly should I see an emergency dentist for a knocked-out tooth?
Seek emergency care within 30-60 minutes for the best chance of successful tooth replantation. Time is critical for saving knocked-out teeth. Handle the tooth by the crown, rinse gently if dirty, and store it in milk or saliva if you can’t reimplant it immediately.
Are emergencies covered by insurance?
Many plans include some coverage for urgent visits, but details vary. We provide estimates and offer payment options to make emergency care affordable when it is needed most.
Can I go to a hospital emergency room for dental problems?
Medical emergency rooms can provide medication and antibiotics, and are the right place for facial trauma or problems with breathing or swallowing. For most tooth-related issues, a dental office provides the definitive care you need.
How much does emergency care cost?
Emergency care costs vary depending on the type and extent of treatment needed. Simple procedures such as replacing lost fillings cost less than complex treatments. We provide cost estimates and offer financing to make emergency care affordable when urgent treatment is needed.
Contact Us For Dental Emergencies
There’s no need to live with dental pain. We do our best to get you in right away, often the same day, so our team can help provide you the relief and care you need.
Call (386) 734-0482 now for same-day emergency treatment and immediate pain relief. Our emergency services are available when dental problems can’t wait for a regular appointment.
