Emergency Dentistry in Gastonia, NC

24/7 Emergency Dental Care Gastonia

When dental emergencies occur, time is critical. We provide comprehensive emergency dental services in Gastonia with same-day appointments available for urgent situations:

Emergency Availability

• Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-4PM, Friday 8AM-2PM
• After-Hours Emergency Contact: (704) 396-6166
• Same-Day Appointments: Available for true emergencies
• Walk-In Emergencies: Accepted during business hours
• Weekend/Holiday Protocol: Emergency contact available with referral to on-call dentist or hospital if needed

Response Time Expectations

• Immediate pain relief: Within 30 minutes of arrival
• Emergency appointments: Typically within 2-4 hours during business days
• After-hours response: Within 1 hour for emergency contact
• Severe trauma cases: Immediate evaluation and treatment

For life-threatening emergencies involving facial trauma, difficulty swallowing, or breathing problems, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Understanding when to seek immediate dental care can save your teeth and prevent complications:

Urgent Dental Emergencies (Call Immediately)

Severe Toothache Intense, persistent pain that doesn't subside with over-the-counter pain relief, especially if accompanied by swelling or fever.

Knocked-Out Tooth A permanent tooth that has been completely dislodged due to trauma - time is critical for successful reimplantation (best within 1 hour).

Dental Abscess or Severe Infection Painful swelling, pus discharge, fever, or a pimple-like bump on the gums indicating serious infection requiring immediate treatment.

Significant Oral Trauma Cuts, tears, or punctures to the lips, gums, or tongue resulting in excessive bleeding or facial trauma affecting teeth.

Broken Tooth with Nerve Exposure Fractures exposing the tooth's nerve, causing severe pain and requiring immediate protection and treatment.

Semi-Urgent Situations (Call Within 24 Hours)

Lost Filling or Crown Missing restorations that leave your tooth vulnerable to further damage and sensitivity.

Chipped Tooth Minor chips that don't cause pain but need prompt attention to prevent further damage.

Loose Tooth Adult teeth that have become mobile due to trauma or infection.

Broken Dental Appliance Damaged braces, retainers, or other appliances that could injure soft tissues.

Comprehensive Emergency Dental Services

At Gaston Dental, we provide a complete range of emergency services to address urgent dental situations:

Emergency Pain Management

• Immediate pain relief with local anesthesia and prescribed medications
• Infection control with appropriate antibiotics when indicated
• Advanced pain management options for severe discomfort
• Emergency prescription services for after-hours pain control

Emergency Tooth Extraction

When teeth cannot be saved, we provide gentle tooth extractions to eliminate pain and prevent infection spread.

Trauma and Injury Treatment

• Tooth reimplantation for knocked-out teeth when possible
• Fracture repair and stabilization of broken teeth
• Soft tissue suturing for cuts and lacerations
• Emergency oral surgery for complex trauma cases

Temporary and Immediate Restorations

• Emergency crowns to protect damaged teeth
• Temporary fillings for exposed nerves or large cavities
• Broken restoration replacement for lost fillings or crowns
• Protective coverage for sensitive or damaged areas

Infection and Abscess Treatment

• Emergency drainage of dental abscesses
• Root canal treatment to save infected teeth
• Antibiotic therapy for severe infections
• Pain and swelling management

When to Call vs When to Come In

Understanding the appropriate response helps ensure you get the right care quickly:

Call First (Recommended for Most Emergencies)

• Severe toothache - we can provide immediate pain management advice
• Lost fillings/crowns - temporary solutions until appointment
• Minor trauma - assessment of urgency level
• Uncertain situations - professional triage and guidance

Come In Immediately (Life-Threatening)

• Knocked-out permanent tooth - bring tooth in milk or saliva
• Uncontrolled bleeding from oral trauma
• Facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
• Severe facial trauma with possible jaw fracture

Go to Emergency Room First

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe facial trauma with unconsciousness
• Broken jaw or suspected facial fractures
• Excessive bleeding that won't stop

Emergency Visit Costs and Insurance

We understand that dental emergencies are unexpected expenses, and we work to make emergency care accessible:

Emergency Visit Costs

• Emergency examination: $150-250
• Emergency pain relief/medication: $100-200
• Simple emergency extraction: $200-400
• Emergency root canal (first visit): $400-800
• Trauma treatment: $200-600 depending on complexity

Insurance Coverage for Emergencies

• Most dental insurance covers emergency visits at 70-80%
• Medical insurance may cover trauma-related treatment
• We accept all major insurance plans including Medicaid
• Pre-authorization not required for true emergencies

Payment Options for Emergencies

• Affirm financing available for larger emergency treatments
• CareCredit emergency credit decisions in minutes
• Payment plans for extensive emergency work
• Cash discounts available for immediate payment

We never let cost prevent emergency treatment - call (704) 396-6166 to discuss payment options.

What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit

We prioritize your comfort and immediate relief during dental emergencies:

1. Immediate Triage and Pain Assessment

Upon arrival, we'll quickly assess your pain level and emergency status, providing immediate pain relief measures when possible.

2. Rapid Examination and Diagnosis

Using digital X-rays and advanced diagnostic tools, we'll quickly identify the problem and develop an immediate treatment plan.

3. Emergency Pain Management

We'll address your pain with appropriate anesthesia, medications, and immediate treatment to provide relief as quickly as possible.

4. Immediate Stabilization Treatment

We'll perform necessary emergency procedures to stabilize your condition, eliminate infection risk, and protect your oral health.

5. Follow-Up Care Planning

Before you leave, we'll schedule any necessary follow-up appointments and provide detailed aftercare instructions for optimal healing.

Emergency First Aid Before Your Visit

While waiting to see our emergency dentist, these first-aid tips can help manage your condition:

Knocked-Out Tooth

• Handle by the crown only - avoid touching the root
• Rinse gently with water if dirty (don't scrub)
• Try to reinsert in socket if possible and bite on gauze
• Store in milk or saliva if reinsertion isn't possible
• Get to dentist within 1 hour for best reimplantation success

Severe Toothache

• Rinse with warm salt water to reduce bacteria
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on package
• Apply cold compress to outside of cheek for swelling
• Avoid hot or cold foods that worsen pain
• Never place aspirin directly on tooth - can burn gums

Broken or Chipped Tooth

• Save any broken pieces and bring them with you
• Rinse mouth with warm water to clean area
• Apply gauze to bleeding areas with gentle pressure
• Use dental wax or sugarless gum to cover sharp edges
• Take pain reliever and apply cold compress if swelling

Soft Tissue Injuries

• Rinse with salt water to clean and disinfect
• Apply direct pressure with clean cloth to control bleeding
• Use cold compress on outside of mouth for swelling
• Seek immediate care if bleeding doesn't stop in 15 minutes

Lost Filling or Crown

• Save the restoration if possible and bring it with you
• Keep area clean with gentle brushing and salt water rinses
• Avoid chewing on the affected side
• Use dental cement (available at pharmacies) for temporary protection
• Avoid sticky or hard foods until permanent repair

Preventing Future Dental Emergencies

Taking preventive measures can help you avoid many dental emergencies:

Daily Prevention

• Maintain excellent oral hygiene with brushing and flossing
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel
• Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, pencils, or hard candy
• Don't use teeth as tools for opening packages or bottles

Protective Measures

• Wear a mouthguard during sports activities
• Address dental problems early before they become emergencies
• Regular dental checkups every 6 months for early detection
• Replace old dental work before failure occurs

Emergency Preparedness

• Keep our emergency number readily available: (704) 396-6166
• Maintain a dental first aid kit with gauze, pain reliever, and dental wax
• Know the location of nearest emergency room for severe trauma
• Have a plan for after-hours dental emergencies

Frequently Asked Questions