Mission Valley Emergency Dentist | Rio Vista Family Dentistry

round-the-clock care

Emergency Dentistry

We understand that dental emergencies can happen any time of the day or week. That’s why at Rio Vista Family Dentistry, our highly experienced dental team is ready to tackle whatever dental emergency you’re experiencing. Whether you have a cracked or chipped tooth, an infection, tissue trauma, or just an aching tooth, we can tackle the problem head-on and treat the source of the pain so you feel more comfortable.

Chew on This

Despite common beliefs to the contrary, root canals are not painful and help to relieve extreme pain and discomfort in patients during the first visit.

Tooth pain is a common sign that something is wrong with your teeth, whether it be decay, trauma, or infection.

An untreated abscess can spread through the rest of the body

You can greatly reduce your chance of experiencing a dental emergency if you get regular dental cleanings and checkups every 6 months.

If you grind your teeth at night, you should wear a mouthguard to reduce your risk of damaging your teeth

Nearly 600,000 people get veneers every year, according to the ADA.

Veneers are stain-resistant, so your smile will stay bright for years after they are placed.

No special care is required for veneers, simply brush and floss as you normally would.

This cosmetic treatment is non-invasive and only takes two appointments.

Veneers generally last from 10-15 years with proper oral care.

Same-Day Treatment

High-Quality Emergency Care

At Rio Vista Family Dentistry, we know the importance of addressing teeth problems head-on and with urgency. That’s why we try to save room every day for emergency dental appointments. If you have an infection or a broken tooth, delaying treatment can have serious consequences.
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The last thing we want is for an infection to spread or for a compromised tooth to lead to infection when it could have been avoided. If you are experiencing tooth pain and discomfort, don’t put it off. Contact us right away so we can identify the source and decide on a treatment that can relieve your pain and discomfort.
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Our fantastic team is composed of highly experienced and passionate dentists such as Dr. Joy Bonifacio Lockwood, Dr. Raquel Reyes, and Dr. Patricia Campillo who will give you the time and care needed to address any oral emergency

Get impacted wisdom teeth removed

wisdom teeth removal

Are you experiencing pain, swelling, or soreness around your wisdom teeth? This could be a sign that they need to be removed. Many of us don't have enough room in our mouths to accommodate wisdom teeth. As they are growing in, it can be difficult to reach them and thoroughly clean them, which can result in a buildup of food particles that can lead to infection.
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If your wisdom teeth are prone to infection, this is another reason they could need to be removed. Other reasons could be that x-rays are showing your wisdom teeth are not fully erupting or they are impacted.
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Wisdom teeth that grow improperly at the wrong angle or with not enough space can cause problems with the rest of your teeth. For the extraction procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic or some other form of sedation to relieve pain and make you more comfortable. Don’t delay wisdom tooth extraction, as this can lead to shifting or damage to the rest of your teeth.

save infected teeth from extracted

root canal therapy

Root canals are performed as a last resort to save a tooth before extraction is necessary. You could need a root canal because your tooth’s soft center, known as the pulp, has become infected or extremely decayed past the point of repair. During a root canal procedure, an access hole will be made into the affected tooth by drilling into the tooth. The tooth's damaged pulp will then be scraped out and your canals will be thoroughly cleaned.
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A gutta-percha and filling will seal up the tooth until you return for a permanent filling and a potential crown that will be placed over the tooth to prevent further damage or infection. The process can take a few appointments to complete but during the first appointment, we will be able to relieve your pain. Root canals are extremely effective, resulting in success 95% of the time. This procedure is not painful and we offer numbing and sedation during the procedure so it’s no more painful than a routine filling.

protect damaged, broken, & Comprised Teeth

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are artificial teeth that act as "caps" over your natural teeth. They are used to protect your natural tooth from further damage and to restore its appearance. Dental crowns are often used to repair chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth. They can also be used to protect vulnerable teeth from further damage after root canal therapy. Dental crowns tend to last for 15 years but can last for longer than that with proper oral hygiene. It is important to cover broken or chipped teeth with a dental crown so bacteria does not get inside of the tooth and cause infection. Dental infections can become very serious if they spread to the bone and gums.

Reasons for Needing Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency is any sort of injury or damage to your tooth that requires immediate treatment to stop uncontrollable bleeding, to prevent serious oral health issues, or to prevent the problem from becoming worse.
The most common dental emergencies include the following:

Chipped or broken tooth
Knocked-out tooth
Severe pain
Signs of infection
Unstoppable bleeding
Dental trauma caused by oral injuries
Lost dental work

If you are experiencing any of these dental emergencies, you must get immediate dental treatment so we can diagnose the problem, treat your pain, and prevent the problem from worsening. Emergency treatment can save teeth from extraction and prevent serious health problems that can result from dental trauma or infections.

How To Manage My Dental Pain Before My Emergency Appointment

Whether you’re experiencing pain due to a toothache, dental trauma, infection, or impacted wisdom teeth, these tips can help relieve pain, bleeding, and swelling until you can get to an emergency dental appointment.
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Your priority should be to stop any present bleeding by placing gauze inside of the mouth and applying pressure by biting down. This will help stop the bleeding. Then, check to see if you have any sharp edges of your tooth or fragments in your mouth that can cut your tongue or soft tissue. If there are any sharp edges, you can get temporary dental fillings from the pharmacy.
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Take anti-inflammatory pain medication to relieve any pain or discomfort. Rinse your mouth with a lukewarm saltwater solution to reduce swelling, inflammation, and bacteria. You should also elevate your head and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If pain persists, other remedies include applying clove oil to the tooth, rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, or using a cold compress.

Depending on the Injury, Can I Wait a Day or Two Before Seeking Dental Treatment?

If you are experiencing any of the previously mentioned dental emergencies then it’s best to seek emergency dental treatment. The nature of a dental emergency is that it requires immediate treatment.
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If you can wait a day or two before seeking dental treatment, then it is not considered a dental emergency. It is crucial that we stop any bleeding, relieve severe pain, stop a present infection, and repair damage from dental trauma.

If you are unsure if what you’re experiencing constitutes a dental emergency, contact us at Rio Vista Family Dentistry today and we can discuss your symptoms with you and determine the proper course of action.
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During an emergency appointment, you can expect us to prioritize relieving your pain and preventing the injury, infection, or source of pain from becoming worse. You may have follow-up appointments for additional treatment. Emergency procedures may involve root canals, extractions, dental crowns, or replacement of restorations.