Emergency Dentist in El Paso, TX

A dental emergency in El Paso is any problem that cannot wait for a routine checkup: a tooth that has been knocked out, a broken tooth with a sharp or painful edge, a lost crown, severe toothache, or swelling in the gum or face. Calling early gives you the best chance of saving the tooth and getting into a dentist's schedule the same day or soon after. Opening times vary by practice, so call and ask what is available.

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if

• Swelling is spreading toward your eye, under your jaw or down your neck.
• You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
• You have a high fever with a swollen face.
• You have a jaw injury or heavy bleeding after an accident.

These can be signs of a serious infection or injury that needs hospital care first.

First steps while you call a dentist

1. 1
   Knocked-out adult tooth: hold it by the crown (the part you chew with), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or water without scrubbing. If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth. If not, keep it in a cup of milk or inside your cheek. Call immediately.
2. 2
   Knocked-out baby tooth: do not put it back. Call the dentist to check the area.
3. 3
   Broken or chipped tooth: rinse with warm water, keep any pieces, and put a cold pack on your cheek. Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax.
4. 4
   Lost crown or filling: keep the crown safe and bring it with you. Avoid chewing on that side.
5. 5
   Toothache: rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to clear trapped food. Do not put aspirin on the gum, since it can burn the tissue.
6. 6
   Swollen gum or face: use a cold pack on the outside of the cheek and call promptly. Swelling can mean an infection.

What counts as urgent and what can wait a few days

This is general guidance only. If you are unsure, call and describe your symptoms.

What happens at an emergency visit

The dentist examines the tooth, usually takes an X-ray, and relieves the pain first. That may mean cleaning out an infection, smoothing or temporarily repairing a broken tooth, recementing a crown, starting a root canal or removing a tooth that cannot be saved. You will get a plan for any follow-up work and its cost before further treatment.

National averages from the CareCredit dental cost guide (2023 to 2024 data, not El Paso prices): a simple extraction averages $177, a molar root canal $1,337 and a porcelain crown $1,399. Your cost depends on what the exam finds.

Uninsured or on Medicaid?

You can still call. Ask the practice about self-pay prices and payment plans. For children on Texas Medicaid or CHIP, select "Medicaid / CHIP" on the form, or call the Texas Health Steps line at 1-877-847-8377 on weekdays for help finding a dentist. See the insurance and payment page.

Common questions

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