Emergency Dental Care Β· San Diego
Emergency dentist in San Diego β tooth pain, broken tooth, or swelling
Dental pain does not wait for a convenient time. Call us as early as possible β we keep same-day slots for urgent cases. If you are in severe pain, have visible swelling, or knocked out a tooth, call the office directly.
In pain right now?
Call the office directly. Same-day appointments are held for urgent cases. If the office is closed and you have severe swelling spreading to your jaw, neck, or eye β go to an emergency room.
What counts as an emergency
Common dental emergencies we treat
If you are not sure whether your situation is urgent, call us and describe your symptoms. We will tell you if you need to come in today.
Severe toothache
Throbbing pain, pressure, or aching that does not stop β especially if it is waking you up at night or making it hard to eat.
Dental abscess or swelling
A bump, pimple, or swelling on the gum near a tooth, a swollen jaw, or fever with tooth pain. This can indicate infection and should be seen quickly.
Knocked-out tooth
Handle by the crown (not the root), rinse gently with water, and try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Call us immediately β time matters.
Cracked or broken tooth
A visible crack, a piece of tooth that broke off, or sharp edges cutting your tongue or cheek. May or may not be painful right away.
Lost filling or crown
A filling that fell out or a crown that came loose. Not always an emergency, but can cause sensitivity and should be addressed within a day or two.
Broken orthodontic wire or poking bracket
Wire poking the inside of your cheek or a bracket that came loose. Usually not urgent β use orthodontic wax as a temporary fix and call.
What to do
Three steps when dental pain hits
Call us first thing in the morning
We hold same-day slots for urgent cases. Call when we open and describe your symptoms β we will get you in as fast as possible. Do not wait and hope it goes away.
Or submit an emergency request online
If it is outside office hours, submit the emergency contact form. We check messages as soon as the office opens and will reach out to you before the first patient of the day.
We assess, relieve the pain, and make a plan
At your visit we take X-rays if needed, address your immediate pain, and explain what caused the problem and what treatment comes next. You will know the cost before we proceed.
Tooth pain right now?
Call us. Same-day urgent appointments are available for dental pain and trauma.
Insurance for emergency dental visits
Most PPO dental insurance plans cover emergency exams. Denti-Cal covers certain urgent dental services as well. We will check your coverage when you call and tell you what is covered before we start treatment. We do not charge a separate emergency surcharge β you pay for the services provided.
From our blog
Tooth pain at 11 PM β what to do
Practical guidance for when dental pain hits after hours: how to manage it safely at home, what is actually an emergency, and when to go to the ER vs. wait for a dentist.
Read the article βCommon Questions
Emergency dental care FAQ
Important
Dental emergencies involving airway compromise, severe difficulty swallowing or breathing, or rapidly spreading neck or facial swelling require immediate emergency room care. KinDentists provides urgent dental visits but does not operate as a hospital emergency department.
Family dentistry
Routine and preventive care for the whole family.
New patient registration
Get started as a new patient before your visit.
All dental services
See the full range of care we offer.
Do not wait on dental pain
Call us first thing or submit an urgent request online. We will get you seen as fast as possible.
5296 University Ave, Suite I Β· San Diego, CA Β· Next to Vien Dong Supermarket