If you're in pain, have a broken tooth, or something has gone wrong — call us first, before the ER. We reserve same-day emergency slots every day. Dr. Siddiqui evaluates you personally, not a rotating associate.
If you have severe pain, a knocked-out tooth, or active bleeding, call (301) 652-2222 immediately. We reserve same-day emergency slots every day and will see you as fast as possible. If we're closed, leave a message — we check after-hours voicemail and call back the same day for urgent cases.
Most dental emergencies are treatable faster, cheaper, and more successfully in a dental office than in an ER. Hospital emergency rooms can manage pain and swelling, but they cannot fix the underlying problem — only a dentist can. Go to ER for uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing, or trauma involving broken jaw or loss of consciousness.
If it's happening in your mouth and it can't wait, we handle it. Here are the most common emergencies we see.
Usually an infection or exposed nerve. Treated with root canal, antibiotics, or extraction depending on cause. Pain relief within hours.
From biting hard food, trauma, or old filling failure. Treatable with same-day crown, bonding, or root canal depending on fracture depth.
Time-critical — if reimplanted within 30 minutes, success rate is high. Keep tooth in milk or saliva, call us immediately.
Not always painful, but leaves tooth vulnerable. Usually re-cementable same day; sometimes a new crown is needed.
A dental abscess is a serious infection. Treat quickly with antibiotics and drainage to prevent spread. Go to ER if swelling affects breathing or swallowing.
Impact injuries — car accident, sports, fall. We evaluate teeth, gums, and soft tissue, and coordinate with specialists if needed.
While you're on the way to our office or waiting for a callback, here's what helps.
Call (301) 652-2222. Even if you can't be seen right this moment, we can triage by phone and advise what to do while you wait.
Do NOT touch the root. Rinse gently with water, try to reinsert in socket, or store in milk. Time matters — reimplantation within 30 minutes has the best outcome.
Take ibuprofen (600-800mg) if not contraindicated. Cold compress on outside of face. Avoid chewing on that side. Do not apply aspirin directly to the gum.
Save any pieces of tooth. Rinse mouth with warm water. Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect cheek and tongue.
Ice the outside of face, not the inside. Take ibuprofen for pain. Go to ER if swelling extends to eye, throat, or affects breathing.
Dr. Jay Siddiqui personally evaluates every case. No associates, no rotating doctors. Book online or call to schedule — evenings and Saturdays available.