If you are in pain right now, this page is for you. Call us at (202) 686-5222 and we will help you figure out the next step.
At Slate Dental, we serve as a trusted emergency dentist in Washington, DC for patients who want more than a fast extraction. We accept dental emergencies during business hours and treat every emergency the same way: get you out of pain, understand what caused it, and address the underlying problem so it does not happen again. Dr. John Slate often saves teeth that emergency clinics would simply pull, because the long-term cost of losing a tooth is almost always higher than the work it takes to save one.
Call us first, before going anywhere else. We will triage your situation honestly and tell you exactly what to do next.
Before you let anyone pull a tooth, get a second opinion.
Save First, Extract Last
How We Handle a Dental Emergency
Most “emergency dental” practices operate on volume, see the patient, do the fast fix, send them out. We do not. Every emergency at Slate Dental follows the same disciplined process, whether you are an existing patient or someone we have never met.
We Triage by Phone First
When you call, we listen carefully and ask the right questions. Some emergencies need to be seen immediately, some can be safely managed at home for a few hours, and some are not actually emergencies. We tell you the truth either way.
Direct You to the Right Specialist
If your emergency requires an oral surgeon, endodontist, or hospital ER, we tell you so and direct you to the right place quickly. We coordinate with our specialist network so you are not navigating it alone.
Get You Out of Pain
In our office, we focus on resolving the acute problem, the broken tooth, the lost crown, the infected nerve, with the same painless techniques and unhurried care we give every patient. Comfort first, then the long-term plan.
Solve the Underlying Problem
Once you are stable, we look at the bigger picture. A broken tooth is rarely just a broken tooth, it is often a bite issue, a grinding habit, or a tooth weakened by an old filling. We address why it happened, not just what happened.
When to Call an Emergency Dentist in DC, and When to Go Elsewhere
Honesty about hours: Slate Dental is open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. If your emergency happens during the day, call us first, we will fit you in the same day whenever possible. If it is after hours, here is the honest guide on what to do.
- A cracked or broken tooth
- A tooth knocked partially loose
- A lost crown, filling, or bridge
- Persistent tooth pain or sensitivity
- Swelling around a tooth or gum
- Pain after a recent procedure
- Severe facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
- Significant facial trauma or jaw injury
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- High fever with mouth or jaw pain
Once stabilized, call us. We will coordinate the dental follow-through.
The Emergencies We See Most Often
Cracked, broken, or fractured teeth
The most common emergency we treat. A tooth cracks for a reason, usually an old filling that has weakened the surrounding tooth, an unbalanced bite, or grinding. We address the immediate damage with a crown or onlay, then look at why it cracked so we can prevent the next one. Many patients have been told that a cracked tooth must come out. Often, with careful diagnosis and proper restorative work, the tooth can be saved.
A tooth that has been told to extract
If another dentist or an emergency clinic has told you a tooth is “hopeless,” it is worth a second opinion before you let anyone pull it. Extraction is permanent. The bone in that site begins to atrophy the day the tooth comes out, and replacing it later, with an implant or bridge, is more invasive and more expensive than saving the original tooth would have been. Read more on our page about saving teeth others want to extract.
Lost crowns, fillings, or bridges
A crown or filling that falls out is rarely a true emergency, but it should not wait. The exposed tooth is sensitive and vulnerable to further damage. Call us, we can often see you same-day, recement or replace what came out, and assess whether the underlying tooth needs a new restoration.
Severe toothache
Tooth pain is your body telling you something is wrong. It is rarely “nothing.” Causes range from a deep cavity to an infected nerve to a cracked tooth. We diagnose the source, manage the pain, and decide together whether the right next step is a filling, a root canal referral, or a crown.
A knocked-out tooth
Time matters. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, pick it up by the crown (the white part), not the root. Rinse it gently if dirty, then either place it back in the socket or store it in milk or saliva and call us immediately. The faster you are seen, the better the chance of saving the tooth. The American Association of Endodontists provides additional first-aid guidance for the minutes before you reach a dentist.
If You Are New to DC
If your emergency happened because you have not yet found a regular dentist after moving to DC, you are far from alone. A lot of patients meet us this way, and it is not the easiest introduction. The upside is that an emergency is also an opportunity to start fresh with someone who will be your dentist for the long term, not just the moment.
Once we resolve the immediate problem, we are happy to take on your ongoing care. If that is the position you are in, our guide to finding a dentist in DC walks through what to look for in a long-term provider, the same standards we hold ourselves to.
What to Do Before You Get Here
Before your appointment
- For pain: over-the-counter ibuprofen (if you can take it safely) usually helps more than acetaminophen
- For swelling: a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off
- For a broken tooth: save any fragments in a small container with milk or saliva, bring them with you
- For a knocked-out tooth: store in milk or saliva, get to us as fast as possible
- For a lost crown: save it if you can find it, we can often recement the original
- Avoid chewing on the affected side until you are seen
Common Questions About Emergency Dental Care
Do you take emergency walk-ins?
We do not accept unscheduled walk-ins, but if you call us during business hours we will do everything we can to fit you in the same day. A quick phone call is always faster than an unannounced visit.
How much does emergency dental treatment cost?
The cost depends entirely on what your emergency requires. A simple recement on a lost crown is very different from a full crown after a fracture. We provide transparent, itemized pricing at your visit before any work begins. Slate Dental is a fee-for-service practice and in-network for Cigna DPPO and PPO plans. Most other PPO plans reimburse a portion of the visit.
Is a cracked tooth a real emergency?
Almost always, yes. A crack that goes untreated tends to extend deeper into the tooth over days or weeks. Catching it early often means the difference between a restorative fix and an extraction. If you suspect a crack, call us.
Can you see me today?
If you call during business hours, we make every effort to see you the same day. Our schedule is designed to leave room for urgent cases.
What if my emergency is after hours or on a weekend?
For true emergencies outside business hours, severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, or significant facial trauma, a hospital ER is the right first stop. Once you are stabilized, call us the next business day and we will take over the dental follow-through.
Why Patients Choose Slate Dental for Emergencies
Call Us Now
If you are in pain or have just had a dental injury, the fastest way to get help is to call. We will triage your situation honestly and get you the care you need.
Not an emergency right now? Request an appointment online. We serve patients throughout Northwest DC, including Georgetown, Forest Hills, Wesley Heights, and Spring Valley.