Fast & Comfortable Urgent Dental Care in Elgin
When a dental emergency strikes, the hardest part is often deciding what to do next. Is it serious? Can it wait? Will it hurt to fix? Can I see a dentist today?
Dr. David Rice, DDS, has seen all kinds of cases that require emergency dentistry, from simple cracks to complex full mouth restorations. Dr. Rice and his team are here to address your issue, provide urgent dental care, and get you out of pain while treating you as comfortably as possible. If you’re dealing with sudden tooth pain, swelling, or a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth, call our Elgin office for fast and effective emergency dentistry.
Many patients who come to us for emergency dental care have avoided treatment in the past because numbing didn’t work or they have dental anxiety. Dr. Rice is widely recognized for his ability to achieve complete numbness, even when other dentists haven’t been able to. He also provides multiple types of dental sedation to help even the most anxious patients feel calm and comfortable for the duration of their treatment.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency or aren’t sure whether your situation requires urgent care, call us now at (847) 741-2353. Addressing the issue quickly often reduces the risk of infection or the need for expensive procedures.
Is My Issue a Dental Emergency?
Some dental issues require immediate attention to prevent infection, worsening pain, or permanent damage. You should contact our office right away if you experience any of the following:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
- A tooth that has been knocked loose or completely knocked out
- Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
- Signs of infection, including pus, fever, raised sores, or a bad taste in the mouth
- Lost fillings, crowns, or dental restorations (especially if causing discomfort)
- Trauma to the teeth or mouth from an accident or sports injury
If pain or anxiety has made you hesitant to seek emergency dental care in the past, know that your comfort is our priority here. We’ll help you understand what’s happening and guide you through your options without pressure or judgement.
What to Do During a Dental Emergency
Taking the right steps quickly can protect your tooth until you’re able to see us. Here are some recommendations for immediate actions during common dental emergencies:
Tooth Pain or Swelling
Rinse gently with warm salt water and apply a cold compress or ice pack to the outside of the face to reduce swelling. Do not attempt to drain the sore or apply heat. Doing so may make the infection worse.
Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth
If a tooth is cracked, chipped, or broken, gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clear the area. If you’re able to recover any fragments, hold them by the chewing surface only and keep them in milk or saliva. Try not to chew on the affected side, and use a cold compress on the outside of your face to help control swelling. Because even small cracks can progress, it’s best to have the tooth examined as soon as you can.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Handle the tooth by the crown only. If possible, gently place it back into the socket. If not, store it in milk and contact us immediately.
These steps can help prepare you for emergency dental care, but it is important to call us at (847) 741-2353 as soon as possible to get seen and treated. We have the best chance of saving your tooth and preventing infection if you are seen quickly.
Emergency Dentistry Treatments We Offer
- Pain relief and infection control
- Repair of broken, cracked, and chipped teeth wtih dental bonding or custom restorations
- Root canal therapy to treat infected or severely damaged teeth
- Replacement of lost or damaged dental restorations
- Tooth extractions
With every emergency visit, Dr. Rice takes extra care to ensure patients are fully numb and comfortable before treatment begins. His advanced training in anesthesia techniques has helped many patients finally feel comfortable and pain-free after years of difficult experiences with other dentists. For those who feel anxious or overwhelmed by dental procedures, we also offer sedation dentistry options to help make your visit as calm and stress-free as possible.
If needed, we’ll discuss follow-up care or long-term solutions such as tooth replacement options or cosmetic repairs to restore your smile fully.
Why Choose Dr. David Rice for Emergency Dentistry in Elgin?
When you need emergency dentistry, you need more than a quick fix. You need an experienced emergency dentist you can trust for comfort, clear guidance, and long-term solutions. Here’s what sets Dr. Rice apart:
Exceptional Comfort When It Matters Most:
Many patients come to us after struggling to get numb at other dental offices.Dr. Rice is known for his ability to get patients fully numb when other dentists have not.
His advanced anesthesia techniques have helped countless patients feel comfortable during urgent dental care, even when they’ve been told they’re “hard to numb.” For patients who feel anxious or overwhelmed, we also offer multiple sedation and anesthesia options to make emergency treatment as calm and pain-free as possible.
Advanced Training, Trusted Decision-Making:
Dr. Rice is committed to providing patients with outstanding skill and staying current with the latest techniques and technologies. He is a recognized mentor by the Center for Advanced Dental Learning (an achievement awarded to fewer than 120 dentists worldwide) and a Mentor (CI) at the prestigious KOIS Center in Seattle, a world-renowned postgraduate training institute. This advanced, evidence-based training supports emergency dentistry decisions that prioritize your long-term oral health, not just short-term relief.
Supportive Care for Anxious Patients:
Dental emergencies are stressful, especially if you’ve had difficult experiences in the past. Our calm environment helps patients feel at ease, and we offer sedation dentistry for those who need extra support during urgent dental visits. We also use modern dental technology to deliver precise care efficiently, with comfort at the center of the experience.
Call Now for Emergency Dental Care in Elgin
If you are experiencing a dental emergency in Elgin or are unsure, call us immediately. The sooner we can treat the issue, the better the chances of saving your tooth and preventing costly treatments later on.
Call (847) 741-2353 to speak with our front desk team now.