Emergency Dentist Rapid City

Helping Get You Out of Pain with Fast Emergency Dental Care

Whether you suddenly developed a searing toothache that’s keeping you from being able to focus at work or you accidentally chipped a tooth, Dr. Anderson and our experienced team are here to help you get out of pain and restore your smile. We offer a number of treatments, including root canals and tooth extractions, to make sure your smile remains healthy and as functional as possible. Give us a call if you require urgent emergency dentistry in Rapid City.

Why Choose Anderson Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • In-House Root Canal Treatment Available
  • Advanced Diagnostic Imaging with CBCT
  • Same-Day Dental Crowns for Immediate Protection

How We Handle Dental Emergencies

Woman in dental chair talking to her emergency dentist in Rapid City

Our team will start your emergency dental appointment by capturing any necessary X-rays or imaging using our cone beam CT scanner. After Dr. Anderson has reviewed the images and conducted his own examination of your smile, he will develop a treatment plan based on his diagnoses and walk you through it. In some cases, our team may be able to complete the procedure right then and there, while other treatments may need to be scheduled at a date in the near future.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common dental emergencies that we see. However, we always recommend giving us a call if you’re experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms or oral pain.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental receptionist smiling at couple in lobby

Whether you’re visiting us because you’re dealing with a dull, persistent ache or a sharp, stabbing pain, you’re likely wondering how much the dental care that you need will cost. Although we can’t provide you with an accurate estimate of the price without completing a comprehensive oral exam, we can share some helpful information on the topic, including the financial solutions that are available outside of dental insurance.

Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why

Smiling patient talking to dentist holding clipboard

We mentioned above that we cannot provide you with an accurate estimate of the price without completing a comprehensive oral exam. That’s because there are several factors that need to be considered, starting with the type of dental injury you’ve sustained and extending to the restorative treatment (or combination of treatments) that is needed. With all of that said, you don’t have to worry – our team at Anderson Dental will not leave you in the dark about something as important as the cost. Instead, we will provide you with an estimate upfront and discuss the different financial solutions that are available.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Patient reviewing dental insurance forms on tablet

Many dental insurance providers cover 100% of the cost of preventive care, between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments, and one emergency exam per year. So, if you are insured, you shouldn’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information! We’re proud to be in-network with Delta Dental and accept all PPO dental insurance plans. Not only that, but we can file the paperwork on your behalf to ensure that utilizing your available benefits is simple instead of stressful.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Patient filling out paperwork in lobby

What if you don’t have dental insurance? In that case, we recommend considering flexible financing! At our office, we’re happy to work with both Cherry and CareCredit. That way, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of the emergency dental care you need in one lump sum. Instead, you can break it up into smaller, more manageable chunks that fit within your budget comfortably.

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Smiling man flossing his teeth

If you want to protect your smile from harm and your wallet from an unexpected bill, it’s important to prioritize healthy habits, like rinsing with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds each day. At the same time, avoid doing anything that could jeopardize your oral health, like overindulging on sugary foods, smoking, or using your teeth as tools to open things.

It’s also important that we mention here that you should schedule an appointment at our office every six months. If you start to notice anything unusual between visits, like pain when chewing, then you should schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Rapid City right away.

More to Explore

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I Want to Enhance My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Worried About Gum Disease I Have Jaw Pain & Headaches I am Scared of the Dentist I Have Sleep Apnea/Snore View Our Services

Toothaches

  • Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? There are several potential causes for toothaches and not all are considered urgent. You might require an emergency appointment if you experience:
    • Pain lasting 24+ hours
    • A sharp sensation when biting down
    • Sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds
    • The affected tooth looks darker than the others
    • A small lump has developed on the gums near the sore tooth
    • Other signs of infection like fever, swelling, or fatigue
  • How You Should Handle a Toothache: You can floss gently to remove any potentially trapped objects that might cause pain, then rinse your mouth out with water to gently remove debris. You can apply a cold compress or try over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce throbbing until you arrive for your appointment.
  • How We Treat Toothaches: Our team in Rapid City will examine your mouth and take X-rays or other images to determine the underlying issue and the extent of the damage. The treatment depends on the cause, and might include filling cavities, deep cleaning your gums, a root canal procedure, or an extraction.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Teeth

  • Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Damaged enamel doesn’t heal itself, and even minor chips make it easier for bacteria to penetrate your tooth. The longer you wait to schedule an appointment, the more likely you are to develop additional concerns, like injuries, infection, or decay.
  • How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: Try to find the pieces, rinse them gently, and store them safely to bring with you when you arrive at our Rapid City office. Then, you can rinse your mouth to gently remove germs, dirt, or other debris. Try to avoid biting or chewing with the damaged tooth, which can cause additional injury or discomfort.
  • How We Treat Chipped Teeth: Depending on the extent of the damage, we may be able to rebuild lost sections of enamel with tooth-colored composite resin, like the kind used to fill cavities. If you’re concerned about aesthetics, we might recommend placing porcelain veneers to enhance your appearance.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers

Cracked Tooth

  • Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Even seemingly minor cracks can extend deeper than you can see and allow bacteria to penetrate your enamel. The longer you wait to be seen, the more likely you are to develop additional injuries or infection.
  • How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: Regularly rinse your mouth with water to keep germs at bay, and apply a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain relievers as necessary to address discomfort. You might try placing dental wax over the injured tooth or steer clear of biting or chewing with it.
  • How We Treat Cracked Teeth: A customized dental crown made from resilient ceramic is the standard method of treating cracked teeth. However, more minor damage can also sometimes be addressed sufficiently with tooth-colored composite resin. More severely injured teeth might require extraction and replacement.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Replacing Missing Teeth

Very Sensitive Teeth

  • Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth are not usually a dental emergency, but in some cases this symptom can indicate a more serious problem, like cavities, gum disease, or dental damage. If your discomfort occurred suddenly, lasts more than a few seconds, or is severe, please get in touch with our team so we can check on your dental health.
  • How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Tooth sensitivity is typically triggered by overly hot, cold, acidic, sweet, or spicy foods and drinks. While you wait for your emergency appointment, try to avoid these types of treats and take over-the-counter pain relievers as necessary.
  • How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: First, we’ll examine your mouth and take X-rays to determine what’s causing your tooth sensitivity. If the issue is minor, we might recommend fluoride treatment to help strengthen your enamel. If the issue is more serious, we may recommend a dental crown, root canal therapy, fillings, or gum disease treatment.

Knocked-Out Tooth

  • Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes! A knocked-out tooth should be addressed as soon as possible. The odds of us being able to reinsert your tooth are best within the first 30 to 60 minutes.
  • How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: Do not touch the roots. Instead, pick your tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface) and handle it gently. Store it in a secure container with milk or saliva – not
  • How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: If your tooth is still viable, we may be able to reinsert it. Over time, it should naturally reintegrate with your jawbone and gums. Otherwise, we’ll recommend replacing the tooth with a dental implant or bridge.

Lost Filling or Crown

  • Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Your dental health will likely not be in any immediate danger after losing a filling or crown, but your tooth will be at greater risk for infection and further damage until your restoration is replaced. It’s best to call our office promptly in this situation and address the issue as soon as possible.
  • How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: If you’re able to find your dental crown and it’s not too damaged, you may be able to temporarily re-cement it with a small amount of toothpaste. Fillings, however, should not be reinserted. We also recommend bringing your restoration to your appointment.
  • How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: Depending on the condition of your crown, we may be able to re-cement it more securely. We almost always replace lost fillings and can replace your crown if necessary.

Broken Denture

Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

If you find yourself with a broken denture, you should contact our Rapid City dental team right away. That is because you should not attempt to wear a broken denture, nor should you have to go for a long time without wearing any denture at all.

How to Handle a Broken Denture

Do not try to repair the denture on your own; you might end up worsening the damage or exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. Instead, store the denture somewhere secure, and bring it with you to your dental appointment.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

Depending on the extent of the damage, we may be able to repair your denture in-house. Otherwise, we may need to send it to a nearby laboratory. There is even a chance that you will need to completely replace your denture.

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 seek prompt care, 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 wiggle it with your tongue or fingers, nor should you use it to chew any foods.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

We will try to preserve the tooth if possible. If that is not a realistic option, we may need to extract it. Later, you may be able to replace it with a dental implant or another type of prosthetic.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

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 and around the mouth can seem scary, especially when they bleed a lot. Our team may be able to help you in such a situation.

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

Rinse the area with water, and then apply pressure with gauze or a clean washcloth until the bleeding subsides. A cold compress can help to reduce swelling. If the bleeding is severe or lasts for more than 10 minutes, visit the local ER.

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

We may clean the wound and, if necessary, provide sutures to stitch it closed. If you were injured while playing sports, we may advise you to invest in a custom mouthguard.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain can have many causes, some of which constitute an emergency. If the pain is severe or persistent, you should seek professional care in a timely manner.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, visit the local ER. Otherwise, give us a call. We may advise you to take pain medications, eat a soft diet, or take other measures to reduce your pain until you can visit us for an assessment.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

The best treatment for jaw pain depends on its cause. For example, you might need a custom mouthguard to prevent nighttime teeth grinding. Or, you might need wisdom tooth extractions, treatment for TMJ disorder, or another type of therapy.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having debris stuck between your teeth can be annoying! As eager as you are to dislodge the offending item, though, you should not resort to using sharp objects, such as a knife, to knock it out of place. You might accidentally injure your gums. Instead, swish vigorously with water. You can also tie a knot in some floss, insert the floss between your teeth, and move it backward and forward, trying to use the knot to get rid of the offending debris. If your efforts to remove the object are unsuccessful, call our team to request assistance.