Emergency Dentist in St. George, UT

When to Call an Emergency Dentist

Contact our office if you are experiencing an urgent dental problem, including:

Severe or persistent tooth pain
Facial, gum, or jaw swelling
A broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
A knocked-out or displaced tooth
A lost or broken filling, crown, or bridge
Bleeding that does not stop
Pain or swelling around a wisdom tooth

Call Before Coming In

Calling first allows our team to learn what happened, assess the level of urgency, provide immediate instructions, and identify the earliest appropriate appointment time.

Prompt Diagnosis and Relief

The first priority is to determine the source of the problem, relieve discomfort when possible, and prevent the condition from becoming more serious.

Seek Immediate Medical Care for Life-Threatening Symptoms

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, or rapidly increasing swelling—especially if swelling is affecting your airway, eye, neck, or ability to open your mouth.

What to Expect at an Emergency Visit

1
We ask about your symptoms, when the problem started, and any injury or event that may have caused it.
2
Dr. Dawson examines the affected area and may recommend digital X-rays to identify the source of the problem.
3
We explain the diagnosis and review the treatment options available.
4
When appropriate and scheduling allows, treatment may be started during the emergency visit.
5
If full treatment cannot be completed immediately, we may provide short-term care and arrange a follow-up appointment.
6
You receive clear instructions for managing the area and recognizing any symptoms that require additional attention.

Broken Tooth, Crown, or Filling?

The appropriate repair depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains. A smaller area may be restored with a tooth-colored filling , while a more extensively damaged tooth may require a dental crown or another treatment.

What to Do Before Your Appointment

For a Knocked-Out Tooth

Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing. Place it back in the socket if possible, or keep it moist in milk, and call our office immediately.

For Swelling or Tooth Pain

Use a cold compress on the outside of the face and follow the label directions for any over-the-counter medication you normally take safely. Do not place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums.

Common questions.

Can Dawson Dentistry see me for a same-day dental emergency?

Call us as soon as possible. We make every reasonable effort to evaluate urgent dental problems promptly, although availability and treatment timing depend on the condition and that day's schedule.

What qualifies as a dental emergency?

Severe pain, swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, or an infection may require urgent attention. Call our office if you are uncertain about the seriousness of your symptoms.

Should I go to the hospital or call a dentist?

Dental pain, broken teeth, and most localized dental infections are typically evaluated by a dentist. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for breathing or swallowing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, or rapidly spreading swelling.

Can a broken tooth be saved?

Many broken teeth can be repaired, but the outcome depends on the location and depth of the fracture, the health of the tooth, and how quickly treatment is received.

What should I do if a crown falls off?

Keep the crown, avoid chewing on the affected side, and call us. Do not use household glue to reattach it. The tooth and crown need to be evaluated before the restoration is replaced or repaired.

Can you help if I am anxious about emergency treatment?

Yes. Let us know about your concerns when you call. We use a comfort-focused approach and can discuss nitrous oxide sedation when appropriate.