Dental emergencies can happen without warning, and getting prompt treatment can help relieve pain, prevent further damage and protect your oral health. If you need an emergency dentist in Rockville, Maryland, John Savukinas, DDS provides care for severe toothaches, broken teeth, dental infections, swelling and other urgent dental problems.
Dr. John Savukinas brings 34 years of experience in restorative dentistry, oral surgery and tooth extractions. Whether you have a damaged tooth or sudden dental pain, he will evaluate the problem and recommend appropriate treatment. Call 301-738-1155 or contact our office to request an emergency dental appointment.
When Should You See an Emergency Dentist?
A dental emergency is a problem involving significant pain, infection, injury or damage that needs prompt professional attention. Some conditions can worsen without treatment, potentially making it more difficult to save an affected tooth or prevent complications.
Contact our office if you experience:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Swelling in the gums, face or jaw
- A dental abscess or suspected infection
- A cracked, chipped or broken tooth
- A knocked-out or loosened permanent tooth
- A lost or damaged filling or crown
- Bleeding or injuries affecting the mouth
- Severe discomfort when biting or chewing
If you are unsure whether your symptoms require emergency dental care, call our team. We can discuss your concerns and help determine how quickly you should be evaluated.
What to Do During a Dental Emergency
Taking the right steps before your appointment may help reduce discomfort and protect an injured tooth. Contact our office as soon as possible for guidance specific to your situation.
Severe Toothache
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and floss around the affected tooth to remove trapped food. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth or gums. Persistent or severe pain may indicate decay, infection or another dental problem requiring treatment.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Pick up the tooth by the crown rather than the root. If it is dirty, rinse it gently with water without scrubbing. Try to return it to the socket without forcing it. If that is not possible, keep it moist in milk or saliva and seek immediate dental care. The sooner treatment begins, the better the possibility of saving the tooth.
Broken or Cracked Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your face if swelling occurs. Save any broken pieces and avoid chewing on the injured side until the tooth has been examined.
Dental Abscess or Facial Swelling
A dental abscess may cause throbbing pain, swelling, fever or a bad taste in the mouth. Contact our office promptly, as dental infections generally require professional treatment. If swelling interferes with breathing or swallowing or spreads rapidly toward the eye or neck, seek emergency medical attention.
Lost Crown or Filling
Save the restoration if possible and avoid chewing on the affected tooth. Do not use household glue to reattach a crown. Dr. Savukinas can evaluate the remaining tooth structure and determine whether the restoration can be repaired or replaced.
Emergency Dental Treatments in Rockville, MD
The treatment recommended depends on the cause and severity of your emergency. Dr. Savukinas will examine the affected area, identify the problem and explain your options. Whenever possible, the goal is to preserve your natural tooth while relieving discomfort and addressing the underlying condition.
Emergency dental treatment may involve:
- Repairing chipped, cracked or broken teeth
- Replacing damaged or missing fillings
- Evaluating and repairing damaged dental crowns
- Treating dental infections and abscesses
- Stabilizing injured or loosened teeth
- Performing tooth extractions when a tooth cannot be saved
- Planning restorative treatment after an injury
Some emergencies can be addressed during the initial appointment, while others require additional treatment or follow-up care. Our team will explain what to expect based on your individual needs.
Emergency Tooth Extractions
Although preserving natural teeth is always a priority, an emergency extraction may be necessary when a tooth is severely fractured, extensively decayed or damaged beyond repair. Dr. Savukinas has completed more than 1,000 tooth extractions and has extensive experience evaluating damaged and infected teeth.
Before recommending an extraction, he will assess whether the tooth can be restored and discuss your treatment options. If removal is necessary, he can also explain future replacement options, including dental implants, bridges and removable restorations.
Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
When you are dealing with urgent tooth pain or a dental injury, waiting for an appointment can be difficult. We make every effort to accommodate same-day emergency dental appointments in Rockville, Maryland, when scheduling and clinical circumstances allow during regular office hours.
Calling early gives our team the best opportunity to assess your symptoms and arrange timely care. Be prepared to explain when the problem began, where you are experiencing discomfort and whether you have swelling, bleeding or a damaged tooth.
Important: If you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, severe facial trauma or a suspected jaw fracture, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.
Experienced Emergency Dental Care With Dr. Savukinas
Dental emergencies often involve more than relieving immediate discomfort. An injured tooth may require restorative treatment, an infection may affect surrounding tissues, or extensive damage may make an extraction necessary. Dr. Savukinas‘s background in restorative dentistry and oral surgery allows him to evaluate these concerns and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
His clinical experience includes more than 3,000 fillings and restorative cases, over 1,000 dental crowns, more than 1,000 dental bridges and over 1,000 tooth extractions. He has also restored more than 2,500 dental implants and completed more than 1,000 hours of continuing education after dental school.
Dr. Savukinas is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 1994. His extensive experience helps patients receive informed treatment recommendations for urgent dental concerns.
FAQ About Emergency Dental Care
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Severe tooth pain, facial swelling, dental infections, knocked-out teeth, broken teeth and injuries involving the mouth may require emergency dental care. Some problems are more urgent than others, so contact our office if you are unsure whether your symptoms need immediate attention.
Do you offer same-day emergency dentist appointments?
We make every effort to accommodate same-day emergency appointments during regular office hours when availability allows. Call as early as possible and describe your symptoms so our team can help determine the urgency of your situation and discuss available appointment options.
Can an emergency dentist save a broken tooth?
Many broken or damaged teeth can be repaired with bonding, fillings, crowns or other restorative treatments. Whether a tooth can be saved depends on the extent of the damage and remaining healthy tooth structure. Dr. Savukinas will evaluate the tooth before recommending treatment.
What should I do if I have a dental abscess?
Contact our office promptly if you suspect a dental abscess. Treatment may be needed to address the infection and its underlying cause. If swelling spreads rapidly or affects your ability to breathe or swallow, seek immediate medical attention rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Will I need an emergency tooth extraction?
Not necessarily. Many damaged or infected teeth can be treated without removal. An extraction may be recommended if the tooth cannot be restored predictably. Dr. Savukinas will examine the affected tooth and discuss available treatment options before making a recommendation.
What should I bring to an emergency dental appointment?
Bring your identification, insurance information, current medication list and any pieces of a broken tooth or restoration you have recovered. Let our team know about your symptoms, medical conditions, allergies and how the problem developed so we can prepare for your evaluation.
Contact an Emergency Dentist in Rockville, MD
If you have a severe toothache, broken tooth, swelling or another urgent dental problem, do not delay seeking professional care. At John Savukinas, DDS, Dr. Savukinas provides experienced emergency dental treatment focused on relieving discomfort, addressing the cause and protecting your oral health.
Call 301-738-1155 or contact our office to request an emergency dental appointment in Rockville, MD.