Dental Emergency? Find Out If You Need Same-Day Care
Answer 8 quick questions. We'll route you to the right kind of care.
Answer 8 quick questions
We'll route you to the right kind of care. Not a diagnosis — a guide to help you decide.
Prefer to talk? Call (416) 483-0000 — our team can triage by phone at no charge.
What to do while you're deciding
Pain
Ibuprofen 200–400 mg with food. Avoid aspirin if bleeding.
Swelling
Cold compress, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.
Knocked-out tooth
Handle by crown. Keep in milk or saliva. Get to us within 60 min.
Bleeding
Gauze pressure for 10 minutes.
When to go to the ER vs. dentist
Go to the ER
- Airway compromise
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Fever >38.5°C
- Trauma to face/jaw
- Facial swelling affecting vision/swallowing/breathing
See a dentist
- Severe tooth pain
- Localized swelling
- Broken/lost tooth
- Lost filling/crown
- Post-extraction issues
- Gum infection
What to expect when you arrive
Quick exam (5 min)
We assess your symptoms and priority.
X-ray if needed (5–10 min)
Imaging to diagnose the problem.
Diagnosis + estimate
Plain-language explanation, treatment options, and written cost estimate.
Treatment that day
If you choose to proceed, we treat same-day when possible.
What if I'm not sure my situation is an emergency?
Call us. Our reception team is trained to triage by phone — they'll ask you the same kind of questions in this tool and tell you whether to come in now, today, or book ahead. There's no charge for the phone call and no harm in being safe.
What counts as 'severe' pain?
Pain that's waking you up at night, preventing you from eating, or doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain medication is severe. Pain that you've been managing for a few days but is getting worse is also worth a same-day visit.
Should I take painkillers before coming in?
Yes — over-the-counter ibuprofen (200-400 mg, with food) is usually safe and effective for dental pain. Avoid aspirin if there's any bleeding. Tell us at check-in what you've taken.
How fast can you see me if it's an emergency?
Same-day. Most emergencies are seen within 1-3 hours of calling. For severe pain or swelling, we prioritize you ahead of routine appointments. We admit new emergency patients from 6 AM to 2 AM, every day.
What if my emergency happens late at night?
Call (416) 483-0000 any time between 6 AM and 2 AM. Between 2 AM and 6 AM, leave a message — we'll call you back when admissions reopen at 6 AM. For uncontrolled bleeding or facial swelling that affects breathing, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, then call us at 6 AM for follow-up.
Do you charge an emergency fee?
Our emergency exam fee follows the ODA Suggested Fee Guide and is the same as a routine exam. Most insurance plans cover it. Treatment cost depends on what's needed — we always give you a written estimate before starting.