Whether you’re experiencing a toothache that you simply cannot ignore any further or your tooth is chipped, cracked, or knocked-out, we want to get you out of discomfort as soon as possible. Same-day appointments are available at our office on Pleasant St NW in Vienna.
Dr. Nojan Jafari, your emergency dentist in Vienna. A DMV native and former Chief Resident at the Kernersville VA Medical Center.
Same-Day Appointments
Emergency Dental Care
No one ever sees a dental emergency coming, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared if it does occur. Dr. Jafari and our team care very deeply about not just stopping your pain, but creating a treatment plan that addresses your emergency in the long-term.
Dental Emergency Exam
$49
What to Expect
Dental emergencies can be difficult to recognize at times, so it’s always best to give us a call at (703) 938-6800 even if you aren’t 100% sure. When you call, we will get you scheduled for an appointment as soon as possible, ideally for the same day. Our team can also provide helpful tips on how to improve your symptoms, whether they be tooth pain, swelling, or another issue.
When you arrive, we’ll get you in the dental chair right away and Dr. Jafari will ask you about your symptoms and examine your smile. If necessary, digital X-rays will be captured to find issues that are not visible with the naked eye. From there, we’ll create a treatment plan that addresses your emergency at the source, whether that’s a filling, crown, root canal therapy, extraction, or another service.
Common Emergencies
The moment a dental emergency occurs, give our office a call so we can get you scheduled either for the same day or the very next day. Depending on the type of emergency, here’s how you can improve your condition before you arrive.
Select your emergency to see what to doPatients are often quick to dismiss toothaches, but your pain receptors are there for a reason: to let you know that something is wrong. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach, especially if your discomfort is getting worse with time.
For long-term relief, you need to visit us for the necessary restorative care, which is why scheduling an appointment is at the top of this list. Additionally, you should rinse with warm saltwater periodically, avoid sugary, spicy, and acidic foods, and take OTC pain medication (following the directions on the label, of course).
Since there’s more than one way to fix a hurting tooth, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, and root canal treatment are three common ways to address decay, cracks, and other damage.
It is in the sense that it always warrants a visit to our office for an exam. However, same-day appointments aren’t always necessary. It really depends on your unique situation, including if you’re in pain.
After calling us to schedule an appointment, turn your attention to your tooth. We recommend rinsing with clean, room-temperature water before putting a piece of sugar-free gum over your tooth to help prevent a soft tissue injury.
Our recommendation will depend entirely on what we find during your exam, including how large the chip is. Veneers are a popular choice because they are completely customizable, and they can fix both small and large chips relatively quickly.
Yes. In fact, if you can visibly see the crack, an infection can develop quite quickly. So, it’s important that you call us to schedule an emergency exam ASAP.
To start, don’t chew on that side of your mouth and avoid touching your tooth. If you can, rinse with clean, room-temperature water periodically, stick to soft foods, and take OTC pain medication as directed.
Our goal is always to save your natural teeth, so we will first see if we can do so with a dental crown. If our only option is to remove it, then we will restore the look, health, and function of your smile with a dental bridge or implant.
There are many potential causes for the discomfort you’re in, and some are more urgent than others. It’s often due to thinning enamel, which can be caused by brushing too aggressively, eating overly acidic foods, or teeth grinding. Other more serious reasons can include a cracked or decayed tooth, an abscess, or gum recession resulting from periodontitis.
First, call us and let us know what you’re experiencing. We can walk you through any necessary care steps over the phone until your appointment. Then, we’ll schedule an appropriate time for you to come in based on the urgency of your situation.
Our team will examine your mouth to identify the underlying cause so that we can address it. Thinning enamel can be treated with desensitizing toothpaste or a topical fluoride treatment. Gum disease may require antibiotics and scaling and root planing. Cavities will need to be filled or addressed with an emergency root canal.
Yes. If a tooth has been knocked out, call us to schedule a same-day appointment. Depending on the extent of the harm done, there’s a chance we can save your tooth. If you act quickly enough, it may still be viable and can be put back into its socket.
First, try to find the tooth. It may still be in your mouth, so be careful not to swallow it. Gently rinse it and place it in a container with milk or some of your saliva to preserve it until you arrive. Only touch it by the crown and not the roots, or you may damage the cells.
If you reach us in time and the tooth is still whole, we might be able to reimplant it so that it can reintegrate with your jawbone. Otherwise, we’ll go over your options for replacements like dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
Restorations like fillings and dental crowns tend to wear down over the years and may eventually need to be replaced. If yours has become dislodged, it may not necessarily be an emergency, but you should contact us as soon as possible. The underlying tooth is left exposed and vulnerable to infection until it’s treated.
Try to locate the restoration to the best of your ability. If it’s still in your mouth, try to avoid swallowing it. If you lost a dental crown, you might be able to temporarily anchor it back in place with dental cement or a dab of toothpaste, but we don’t generally recommend this for dislodged fillings.
If the restoration is newer and isn’t overly damaged, we might be able to recement it. If it’s broken or was completely lost, we’ll help you replace it instead.
If your denture is cracked, scratched, or broken, wearing it could lead to other dental health concerns, like thrush. Because of this, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our team right away to repair or replace your prosthetic.
While it may be tempting to try to repair your dentures yourself, this will likely lead to even more complications. We recommend getting in touch with our team immediately so we can fit you in for a same-day appointment.
Depending on the extent of the damage, we will either repair or replace them. If you were thinking about upgrading to implant dentures, we can also discuss this option with you.
If your tooth is able to wiggle in its socket, whether that’s due to dental damage or other underlying concerns, you should be seen as soon as possible to prevent additional issues from arising. This is still the case even if there is no pain that accompanies your loose tooth.
After calling our office, try to avoid touching your tooth or eating on the side of your mouth where it’s located. Gently rinse with salt water to clean around the tooth, but don’t brush or floss until you get to our office.
In some cases, we may be able to save the tooth by splinting it to another tooth so it can reintegrate with the bone. In others, a tooth extraction and replacement may be necessary.
Although injuries to the lips, gums, and tongue may bleed a lot and look alarming, they typically don’t require emergency dental care. If you’re concerned about the severity of the situation, you can always call our team for guidance.
Gently place firm pressure on the wound using a piece of clean gauze. You can also rinse with salt water to clear away any debris. If swelling is present, place a cold compress on the area for 10 minutes at a time.
In some cases, we may be able to stitch the wound closed, but in most situations it will resolve on its own. If you aren’t able to stop the bleeding after placing pressure on the area for 10 minutes, visit your nearest emergency room.
Jaw pain typically doesn’t require a same-day appointment unless the discomfort is unbearable. If this is the case, call our office immediately.
Jaw pain often arises as a result of underlying concerns like teeth grinding or bite misalignment. You can place a cold compress on the painful area to relieve swelling or discomfort. If your jaw is broken or dislocated, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
If your pain is caused by bruxism (nightly teeth grinding), our team can craft a customized nightguard to keep your teeth from grinding against each other as you sleep. This minimizes muscle tension, helps with headaches, and addresses jaw clicking, popping, and pain.
If something is stuck between your teeth, gently use a piece of dental floss to clean around the tooth and dislodge the debris. Never use a toothpick or anything sharp to do this, as it could cause damage to your gums. If you aren’t able to remove the stuck debris, call our office.
When the time comes to pay for your emergency treatment, keep in mind that more complex cases will likely cost more than simpler issues. Some toothaches may only need antibiotics to treat, while others might require full-blown root canal therapy. Either way, our goal is to never let you leave the dental office while in pain, and we’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your budget.
The good news is that most dental emergencies can be avoided if you know the right prevention tips. Always brush and floss daily, commit to routine dental appointments with our office every six months, and avoid chewing on objects that are extremely hard or inedible, like pens, pencils, bottles, ice, and fingernails. Talk to us about a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth, and always wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.
FAQs
Click any question below to see the answer. Not sure if it’s an emergency? Give us a call and our team will help you figure it out.
Call (703) 938-6800If your toothache suddenly disappears, you might assume that you’re in the clear. Unfortunately, the change in symptoms is usually the result of something dire: an infection killing the nerve. Since this is a warning sign that there is only a small window of time left to save your tooth and protect the surrounding teeth and gums from harm, it’s important that you call us ASAP to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Vienna.
We do not recommend going to the ER if you’ve sustained a dental injury, like a chip or crack in your enamel. The reason is simple: hospitals don’t typically have dentists on staff. You should only go there if you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like trouble breathing or uncontrollable bleeding.
Oftentimes, patients assume that the cost of the emergency dentistry they need is more than their wallet can handle. To make sure that’s not the case, we welcome dental insurance and flexible financing. We also have an in-house membership plan, the Pace Dental Smile Club, that includes 15% off all treatment completed at our office. If you have any concerns about the price, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to make the financial side of your care stress-free.
Small chips do warrant a visit, yes. That said, coming to our office right away may not be necessary. If you aren’t experiencing any abnormal symptoms, like considerable sensitivity, then scheduling an appointment within the next day or two should suffice.
Waking up with bad breath or noticing a lingering odor after eating something pungent, like garlic or fish, is normal. If the unpleasant smell doesn’t go away after brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, that’s a different story. In that case, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our team at Pace Dental so we can complete a comprehensive oral exam and determine if an untreated oral health problem is to blame, like gum disease.
If you get something stuck between your teeth, we do not recommend using a toothpick. The sharp edge can push the debris further into position and irritate your gums, and the wooden pieces can break off in your mouth. It’s best to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, then use a clean strand of floss to gently remove the debris.
Call (703) 938-6800 and we’ll do everything we can to see you the same day. Our team will also walk you through how to manage your symptoms until you get here.
