A split image showing a woman receiving dental care in one half and a woman performing the procedure on the other.

Emergency Treatment

Recognizing When a Dental Problem Is an Emergency

Dental pain and injuries can range from minor annoyances to serious problems that demand immediate attention. Warning signs that should prompt evaluation include intense or persistent pain, heavy bleeding, visible fractures or dislodged teeth, severe swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, and sudden changes in sensation. When these red flags appear, rapid assessment reduces the risk of complications and improves the chances of preserving affected teeth and surrounding tissues.

Immediate first-aid measures can help stabilize the situation while you arrange for professional care. For example, gently rinsing the mouth with warm water, applying a cold compress to reduce swelling, and using clean gauze to control bleeding are sensible steps. If a tooth has been knocked out, handle it by the crown (not the root), keep it moist in milk or saliva if possible, and seek urgent dental attention — quick action significantly improves the likelihood of saving the tooth.

At Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we treat emergency calls with a focus on rapid triage and practical guidance. Our team can help you decide whether immediate in-office attention is necessary and advise you on safe, effective first-aid steps to take en route to care. Knowing what to watch for and how to respond can make a meaningful difference in outcomes.

What Happens During an Emergency Dental Visit

When you arrive for an urgent dental appointment, the priority is a focused assessment to identify the source and severity of the problem. This typically includes a discussion of your symptoms, a targeted oral exam, and, when appropriate, digital X-rays to reveal hidden damage beneath the tooth surface or within the jaw. These diagnostic tools help the clinician form a clear treatment plan quickly and accurately.

Pain control is addressed immediately with safe, evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs. Depending on the situation, the dentist may use local anesthesia, prescribe short-term medications when indicated, or employ temporary measures to stabilize a tooth or restore function. The goal is to relieve discomfort and prevent further harm while preparing for definitive care.

Once the problem is assessed, the clinician will explain the recommended steps, which may include temporary stabilization, restorative procedures, or referral for advanced care if required. Wherever possible we prioritize treatments that preserve your natural tooth structure and restore comfort efficiently, then schedule any necessary follow-up to complete long-term restoration.

Common Dental Emergencies and How We Address Them

Toothaches are among the most frequent urgent complaints and can signal decay reaching the nerve, infection, or a crack in the tooth. After diagnosis, treatment ranges from targeted restorations and protective bonding to root canal therapy when the tooth’s pulp is involved. Managing the underlying cause is essential to prevent recurrent pain and further tissue damage.

Chipped or fractured teeth are evaluated for structural stability and aesthetic concerns. Small chips can often be smoothed or repaired with composite bonding; larger breaks may require crowns to restore form and function. If a crown or filling has come loose, temporary protection and rapid replacement help prevent decay and sensitivity until a permanent restoration is possible.

Soft-tissue injuries, dental abscesses, and sudden swelling are treated with sensitivity to infection control and airway safety. Abscesses may require drainage combined with antibiotics when infection risk is present, and any swelling that compromises breathing is treated as an urgent medical priority. We also handle knocked-out (avulsed) teeth, displaced teeth, and denture-related emergencies — each situation has a specific protocol aimed at preserving oral health and comfort.

Wisdom tooth pain and problematic eruptions can present acutely, often with swelling or infection. Our approach focuses on infection control, pain relief, and timely referral for extraction when removal is the most appropriate long-term solution. In every case, we aim to restore stability and reduce the risk of recurrent episodes.

Saving Teeth Versus Extraction: Making the Best Clinical Choice

Whenever clinically possible, conserving your natural tooth is the preferred outcome. Modern endodontic techniques, durable restorative materials, and precise crown placement allow dentists to salvage teeth that once would have required extraction. Root canal therapy, followed by appropriate restoration, can return a damaged tooth to long-term function while avoiding the bone loss associated with tooth removal.

However, extraction is sometimes the safest or most predictable solution — for example, when a tooth is fractured below the gumline, severely decayed, or associated with an uncontrolled infection. When removal is necessary, we focus on minimally traumatic techniques that promote uncomplicated healing and preserve the surrounding tissues for future restoration.

Replacing a missing tooth restores chewing function, supports surrounding teeth, and maintains facial form. Options include dental implants, fixed bridges, and partial or complete dentures. Each choice has distinct benefits depending on the clinical situation, and our team will explain the advantages and clinical considerations so you can make an informed decision about restorative options after an extraction or loss.

How Our Team Makes Emergency Care Timely and Comfortable

Effective emergency dentistry depends on preparation, clear communication, and clinical efficiency. Our practice makes every effort to accommodate urgent appointments promptly and to prioritize treatments that relieve symptoms quickly. From the initial phone call to the chairside evaluation, we aim to minimize waiting and to provide a calm, organized experience during a stressful time.

Comfort and safety are central to our approach. We use modern sterilization protocols, offer local anesthetic options to control pain, and tailor care to each patient’s medical history and comfort level. For patients with heightened anxiety, our team discusses sedation alternatives and step-by-step plans so the visit is as predictable and low-stress as possible.

Advanced diagnostics and restorative materials allow us to deliver precise, long-lasting solutions. Digital imaging, intraoral cameras, and contemporary bonding techniques help the clinician diagnose problems accurately and communicate findings clearly, so you understand the nature of the emergency and the rationale for recommended care.

In summary, dental emergencies require prompt, knowledgeable attention to relieve pain, prevent complications, and preserve oral health. Our practice places a strong emphasis on rapid assessment, evidence-based treatment, and compassionate care so you can return to comfort and function as quickly as possible. Contact us for more information or to arrange an urgent appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a dental emergency?

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Silk Dental Delray Beach  formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD

Toothaches

Pain is your body's way of signaling that something is not quite right and though there are many reasons for oral pain, one of the most common complaints and reasons for seeking urgent dental care is a toothache. Whether you simply need a dental filling, a crown, or require a root canal procedure to save your tooth, we'll alleviate your discomfort and restore the look and function of the involved tooth.

Silk Dental Delray Beach  formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD

Dental Trauma

Dental trauma can result in a defect as minor as a small chip in tooth enamel to a more extensive and painful crack or fracture. With sufficient force, a tooth can even be displaced or completely knocked out of its socket. With prompt emergency care, many injured teeth can be restored and saved.

Silk Dental Delray Beach  formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD

Wisdom Teeth

The last teeth in your mouth to develop, wisdom teeth often do not have enough room to fully erupt or may be positioned in the wrong direction. These issues can affect your dental health as well as overall well-being. Our office provides skilled care to address the complications caused by problematic wisdom teeth.

Silk Dental Delray Beach  formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD

Broken or Lost Dental Appliances

A broken or lost dental prosthesis or restoration can cause embarrassing gaps in your smile as well as compromise your ability to eat and speak with ease. If you've lost or broken a dental filling, denture, crown, or other dental appliance, you can rely on our office to perform a prompt repair or provide a durable and cosmetically pleasing replacement as quickly as possible.

At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), emergency appointments are always available. Of course, in addition to providing top treatment for dental emergencies, we also welcome patients searching for high quality and affordable care. We offer a complete range of the latest and best cosmetic and dental services for every member of your family.

How long do I have to wait for an emergency dental appointment?

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If you are suffering from a toothache or have sustained a dental injury, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible before more serious complications arise. Whether your dental emergency is painful, if it affects the appearance of your smile, or if you suspect that an infection is present, our office will make every effort to see you as promptly as possible for care.

At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we treat your dental emergency as our top priority. Our caring team will respond to your emergency call right away, making sure you get the gentle, state-of-the-art care you need without delay.

As your trusted emergency dentist in Delray Beach, we provide the highest quality of care to mitigate the stress, anxiety, and discomfort of dental problems. Our dedicated team will help you start feeling better as soon as we receive your emergency call.

Do I need to go to the emergency room or hospital?

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At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we provide skilled and experienced care to effectively resolve a broad range of dental emergencies, restoring a patient's oral health while protecting their overall wellbeing.

However, even so, specific dental emergencies pose significant threats to one's health. These situations require immediate, emergency room care. Serious and potentially life-threatening dental emergencies include significant oral and facial trauma such as jaw fractures, deep wounds or lacerations to the face and mouth, an abscess or infection that causes widespread facial or submandibular swelling, or affects breathing and swallowing.

How much does emergency dental treatment cost?

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At the office of Silk Dental Delray Beach (formerly Marc Bilodeau DMD), we provide prompt, skilled, and experienced care to address dental emergencies. We understand that finances are always a concern and do our best to provide options in care that are both affordable and respect your budget.

Once we've had the opportunity to examine your smile, we can give you a clear picture of any existing dental issues, along with a quote for what the cost of treatment will be. The cost of care all depends upon the extent and complexity of issues affecting the health or appearance of your smile and the types of procedures that are required.

To help alleviate any additional stress or delay, you can count on our staff to work with you to optimize coverage for your dental care and to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. For patients without insurance, we strive to make things easier as well! We invite you to visit our financial information page or speak to an expert in our business office.

Why choose us for your emergency dental treatment?

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Dental emergencies are often painful and debilitating experiences. For this reason it's important to have an emergency dentist in Delray Beach, who welcomes patients with urgent dental needs while providing the prompt care required to restore oral health.

Here are just some of the reasons why so many patients choose our office for emergency dental care and to meet their family's dental needs:

  • Skilled and compassionate care for patients of all ages
  • Ultra-modern office designed with patient comfort in mind
  • Professional team experienced in all facets of care
  • State-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology
  • Precise and gentle treatment using leading-edge systems of care
  • Careful attention paid to patient input and treatment expectations
  • Detailed explanations of treatment options and every step in care
  • Provision of a broad range of dental services and emergency procedures
  • Recognizes the specific needs of each patient and the unique requirements of every smile
  • Provide patients with the education and tools to establish a strong foundation for optimal oral health

We're dedicated to helping patients enjoy good oral health and beautiful smiles. We look forward to helping you keep your smile in tip-top condition. You can rest assured that our highly skilled office team will provide you the highest quality of state-of-the-art dental care and have you smiling again in no time!

To make an appointment or for more information on our office and the many state-of-the-art services we provide, give us a call today.

Conservative, Compassionate, Committed to You

Achieve your best smile with us. We offer a full spectrum of cosmetic and general dental services for your family's oral health and aesthetic needs. From routine cleanings and preventive care to advanced restorative and cosmetic treatments, we're dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.

Where Personalized Care Meets Comfort And Expertise.

We invite you to discover more about our dental office and the comprehensive care we provide to patients of all ages. Our friendly team is happy to answer your questions, provide information, and assist you in scheduling an appointment at your convenience. Don’t wait—give us a call today and let us help you experience the excellent dental care you deserve!

Office Hours

Monday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
By Appointment Only
Saturday
By Appointment Only