What happens once you're in the chair?

Your dentist examines the area, takes an X-ray if it'll help, and focuses on getting your pain under control and your tooth stable first. Anything more involved gets discussed afterwards, with the cost confirmed before it goes ahead.

What if it turns out to be something a dentist can't handle?

It happens, and we'll say so straight away. Swelling that's affecting your breathing or your ability to swallow, or an injury involving loss of consciousness, needs a hospital's attention first. Get emergency medical help before anything dental.

Plan your visit

Ahead of your visit

Same-day dental emergency

One appointment, explained before it starts.

A dental emergency isn't always dramatic. It can be pain that paracetamol or ibuprofen won't touch anymore, a swollen face or gum, bleeding after an extraction that hasn't stopped, a tooth that's come out completely, or a break that's exposed the nerve. If any of that sounds familiar, you don't need to wait it out. Your dentist examines what's going on, takes an X-ray if it'll help, and works first to get your pain under control and your tooth stable. Once that's done, you'll hear what, if anything, needs treating next, and what it'll cost, before anything more happens.

Empty dental treatment room with an orange chair and imaging screens

Why this matters

What this treatment aims to improve

Results depend on the starting condition, the treatment plan and how the mouth responds. Your dentist will explain what is realistic for your case before treatment begins.

Your pain is the first thing dealt with

Getting your pain under control and your tooth stable happens before any longer chat about what caused it or what comes next.

Nothing is assumed

An X-ray, when it's useful, shows your dentist what's going on beneath the surface, so treatment gets planned from what's found in front of them.

A plan that makes sense to you

Once you're stable, your dentist talks you through what happened, what can wait and what needs sorting, with the cost of anything further confirmed upfront.

How it works

Step by step, from assessment to review

You tell us what's going on

When it started, how it happened, what you've already tried, paracetamol, ibuprofen, a cold compress. It doesn't need to sound clinical.

We take a proper look

An examination, and an X-ray if it'll help, shows what's happening beneath the surface before any decision gets made about treatment.

Pain settled, tooth made safe first

That's the immediate goal. Anything more involved gets planned as its own appointment, with the cost confirmed before you agree to it.

Is it suitable for you?

This is for anything that can't reasonably wait: pain that won't settle, swelling, bleeding that keeps going, a tooth that's come out, or a break with the nerve exposed. Not sure if it counts? Message the clinic and describe it. That's a completely normal thing to do.

Pain that's stopped responding to paracetamol or ibuprofen

You've tried the usual pain relief and it's not touching it anymore, or the pain's bad enough to keep you up or off your food.

Swelling, bleeding or an injury

Your face or gum is visibly swollen, bleeding after an extraction hasn't stopped, or a tooth has come out completely or broken with the nerve showing.

You genuinely don't know if it counts

That's fine. Describe what's happening to the clinic and let the team help you work out what's next.

Getting ready

Small things that help before you arrive.

Bring anything relevant

Old X-rays, a list of medications or notes on what you've noticed all help, though you're welcome to come without them.

Flag what makes it harder

If anxiety, a sensitive spot or a rough past experience make visits difficult, tell the team early so they can plan around it.

Give it enough time

A first look needs room for questions and a proper explanation, not just a quick glance and a nod.

Same-day dental emergency questions

Questions patients often ask

The answers below cover what most patients experience. Your own dentist will tailor the advice to your examination, medical history and treatment plan.

If it's pain that over-the-counter relief can't manage anymore, noticeable swelling, bleeding after an extraction that won't stop, a tooth that's come out completely, or a break that's exposed the nerve, yes. Message the clinic if you're not sure before you come in.

Time works against you fast here. The root itself shouldn't be touched or scraped, so pick the tooth up by the crown only. If it looks clean, you can try easing it gently back into the socket it came from. Can't do that? Keep it in milk, or tucked inside your cheek, and get to a dentist as quickly as you reasonably can. Moving fast gives the tooth a better shot, though nobody can promise exactly how it'll settle in advance.

Have a different question?

Tell the clinic what you are concerned about. The team can explain the next sensible step before you decide on a visit.

Ask the team

Book when you're ready

Talk it through before you book.

Tell test what you've noticed and they'll help arrange the right appointment for it.

Bring whatever you're wondering about. Your dentist explains as you go, what's happening, why it matters and what comes next, so you leave with a plan that makes sense.