What happens at an emergency dental appointment?

Before you arrive

Everything starts with a phone call to (03) 9022 4442. We'll ask what happened, where it hurts, and whether you have swelling, a fever or trouble swallowing. That helps us judge how soon you need to be seen, and it lets the dentist prepare. Same-day appointments are usually available.

Bring:

• Your health fund card and Medicare card, if you have them
• A list of any medicines you take, including blood thinners
• Any broken piece of tooth, lost crown or knocked-out tooth, kept in milk
• Someone to drive you, if you're in a lot of pain or feeling shaky

Step by step: your appointment

1. A quick chat

   You'll sit down with the dentist and talk through what happened and how it feels. We'll check your medical history, because some conditions and medicines change what's safe. About five minutes.

2. Looking at the problem

   The dentist examines the sore area. They may tap gently on teeth, test sensitivity to cold, or check how your bite comes together. It can twinge for a second, and you can say stop at any point.

3. An x-ray, if needed

   A small sensor goes in your mouth for a few seconds. The image shows the root and bone, which is where a lot of dental pain actually comes from.

4. Your options, in plain language

   The dentist explains what they found, shows you on the screen where it helps, and gives you the options with their fees (our emergency costs page explains what changes them). Nothing starts until you're happy to go ahead.

5. Getting you comfortable

   If treatment is done on the day, the area is numbed first. You'll feel a small pinch, then pressure but not sharp pain. Common treatments are placing a temporary filling, removing an inflamed nerve, smoothing a broken edge, re-cementing a crown, or removing a tooth that can't be saved.

6. Before you go

   We tell you what to expect over the next few days, what to do if it gets worse, and book any follow-up treatment with you.

Will an emergency appointment hurt?

Most people are surprised by how much better they feel once the area is numb. The injection itself is a brief sting. We use a numbing gel first where we can, and we wait until the area is properly numb before starting. If you feel anything sharp, raise your hand and we'll stop and top it up.

When an infection is very active, numbing can take a little longer to work. If that happens, the dentist will explain it and take extra time.

What if you're very anxious?

Lots of people who need emergency care have been avoiding the dentist because they're nervous. That's okay, and you won't be lectured about it. Tell us when you book. We can agree on a stop signal, explain each step before doing it, and give you breaks. Our nervous patients page has more on how we help.

How long does it take?

Plan for 30 to 60 minutes. A straightforward problem, like a lost filling, can be quicker. If a tooth needs to come out or the nerve needs attention, allow the longer end.

What happens after you leave?

You might be numb for a few hours and a little tender for a day or two. Our aftercare page covers eating, pain relief and the warning signs to call us about. To read about the appointment itself and who needs one, see emergency dental appointments.