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Emergency Dentistry
Dental Emergency in Denver? We’re Here to Help: Fast, Affordable, and Honest
Dental emergencies don’t ask for permission. They happen on a Tuesday morning before work, on a Friday afternoon, or right in the middle of something important. Whether it’s a broken tooth, sudden pain that won’t quit, a swollen jaw, or a crown that just fell off, you’re in the right place. Dr. Bassett and the Paloma Dental team are here to get you seen, get you comfortable, and get you back to your life as quickly as possible. Any treatment we diagnose will be quoted separately and discussed with you before anything is done.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not sure if your situation qualifies? Here’s a good rule: if something in your mouth is causing you significant pain, you’ve lost a tooth or a major piece of dental work, or you notice swelling that’s getting worse, that’s an emergency. When in doubt, call us. We’d rather help you figure it out over the phone than have you sit at home wondering. Common dental emergencies we see at Paloma Dental include:
- Severe or throbbing tooth pain
- Dental abscesses or swelling in the jaw or gums
- Chipped or broken teeth causing pain or sharp edges
- Lost crowns, bridges, or fillings causing sensitivity or discomfort
- Soft tissue injuries to the lips, gums, or cheeks
- Broken or lost dental appliances causing irritation
What to Do Before You Get to Us
The steps you take in the first few minutes of a dental emergency can make a real difference. Here’s what to do for the most common situations:
Severe Tooth Pain
Rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you need to. Avoid placing aspirin directly on your gum, as it can cause tissue damage. Then call us. Pain this significant usually means something needs attention sooner rather than later.
Dental Abscess
An abscess is an infection, and infections can spread. If you notice a swollen, pimple-like bump on your gum, swelling in your jaw or face, or a fever alongside tooth pain, don’t wait. Rinse with salt water to help manage discomfort and call us right away. Antibiotics alone won’t cure an abscess; the source of the infection needs to be treated directly.
Lost Crown or Filling
This one usually isn’t a same-day emergency unless you’re in significant pain, but you’ll want to come in soon. In the meantime, you can find temporary filling material at most drugstores to protect the area. If the crown fell off, coat the inside lightly with over-the-counter denture adhesive and slip it back over the tooth for temporary comfort.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces you can find. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze. A broken tooth that’s left alone can deteriorate quickly, so plan to come in as soon as possible.
Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room?
In most cases, no. Emergency rooms are equipped to manage pain and prescribe antibiotics if an infection is spreading, but they can’t actually fix your tooth. Coming directly to Paloma Dental saves you significant time, significant money, and gets you the dental care that will actually resolve the problem.
The exception: if you’re experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing, significant facial trauma, or an infection that seems to be spreading rapidly, go to the ER or call 911 first. Your overall safety always comes first.
How Much Will It Cost?
We know that cost is often the first question when something goes wrong, and we think that’s completely fair. No matter your situation, we will always review a full estimate with you before any treatment begins. No surprises, no pressure.
- Paloma Plan members: the emergency exam is a discounted fee with your plan, and any necessary x-rays are included in the plan.
- Patients with insurance: we’ll verify your benefits and walk you through your estimated out-of-pocket costs before anything is scheduled.
- Uninsured patients: we’ll give you a clear, honest estimate before any treatment begins.
- Financing: we accept CareCredit, FSA, and HSA cards. If cost is a concern, just say so and we’ll work with you to find a path forward.
Any treatment diagnosed is a separate cost from the exam and will always be explained and quoted before we begin. We believe you deserve to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to.
“Whatever your emergency is, we will do our best to see you as soon as possible to get you back to enjoying life.”
– Paloma Dental
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem at all. We welcome new patients in emergencies. Give us a call or text at 720-440-7743 and we’ll get you taken care of.
Call or text us at 720-440-7743 and leave a message; we check messages outside of regular hours for urgent situations. If you’re in severe pain or experiencing facial swelling that’s spreading, please seek emergency care.
We’d recommend calling ahead first so we can prepare for you and give you an accurate wait time, but we always do our best to see emergency patients as quickly as possible.
The fastest way is to call or text us at 720-440-7743, but you can also book online via our website. If your situation is urgent, note it in the comments so we can prioritize your appointment. We reserve same-day slots for emergencies and will do everything we can to get you in quickly, though same-day availability isn’t guaranteed.
Generally, no. Most emergency rooms are not equipped to perform extractions or other dental procedures. They can help manage pain and prescribe antibiotics if an infection is spreading, but the actual dental work still needs to happen at a dental office. If you've been to the ER for a dental issue, call us as soon as possible so we can treat the underlying problem.