Where Can You Get Emergency Dental Care in Northeast San Antonio?
A dental emergency can mean severe tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, a cracked tooth, or facial swelling, and every minute can matter. Our Live Oak office makes room for emergency patients, and we offer same-day appointments when possible. A live team member answers our phone 24/7, so you can reach us at any hour.
Olympia Hills Family Dental has served northeast San Antonio since 1971, including Live Oak, Schertz, Converse, Selma, Garden Ridge, and Randolph Air Force Base. Dr. Jerame Hafen, DDS, leads our team. If you have severe tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, facial swelling, or any urgent dental problem, call (210) 658-3131 right away. We are accepting new emergency patients from across northeast San Antonio.
Call (210) 658-3131 right away. A live team member answers 24/7 and can schedule your emergency appointment, with same-day care when possible.
Apply a cold compress for swelling. If a tooth was knocked out, hold it by the crown, rinse gently, and keep it in milk or saliva. Do not scrub the root or use tap water.
Dr. Hafen and the Olympia Hills emergency team will examine you, diagnose the problem, and begin treatment the same visit whenever clinically possible.
What Dental Emergencies Do We Treat in Live Oak?
Our Live Oak office can see a wide range of urgent dental problems. Whether the pain started an hour ago or days ago, please call us now.
Severe Toothache
Intense tooth pain can mean decay has reached the nerve. Root canal treatment may be needed to treat infection and relieve pain.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out permanent tooth may be saved if you act fast. Call us immediately and keep the tooth moist in milk or saliva while you travel to our office.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Fractured teeth range from minor chips to deep cracks that reach the nerve. Pain and sensitivity are key signs of how serious it is, so call us promptly to find the right level of care.
Dental Abscess and Facial Swelling
Facial or oral swelling caused by infection requires same-day attention. Apply a cold compress and call our office immediately. If swelling affects breathing, call 911 first.
Lost Crown, Filling, or Bridge
Exposed tooth structure can become painful rapidly. Call our office promptly so we can protect the tooth and arrange repair or a temporary crown as soon as possible.
Soft Tissue and Oral Trauma
Lacerations to the tongue, lips, or gums from physical trauma often need immediate care. Apply gentle pressure to control bleeding and contact our emergency team right away.
What Should You Do During a Dental Emergency Before You Reach Us?
Your first steps can affect how well a tooth heals. Here is what to do for common emergencies before you reach our Live Oak office. The American Dental Association also shares first aid tips for dental emergencies:
- Uncontrollable swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
- High fever combined with severe dental pain (possible spreading infection)
- Trauma to the jaw, head, or face requiring imaging
- Uncontrolled bleeding that will not stop with pressure
- Loss of consciousness following dental or jaw trauma
- Severe toothache or sudden onset of tooth pain
- Knocked-out or broken tooth
- Lost crown, filling, or dental restoration
- Localized swelling or dental abscess
- Chipped tooth or soft tissue injury inside the mouth
Note: Emergency rooms can stabilize dental infections and manage pain, but they usually cannot perform dental procedures. For most dental emergencies, calling our office first is the faster way to get dental treatment.
What Happens at an Emergency Visit?
Knowing what to expect can make the visit less stressful. Here is how an emergency visit works.
What Emergency Dental Treatments Do We Offer?
Your treatment depends on your situation. Our emergency services may include:
- Emergency root canal treatment to eliminate infection and preserve the natural tooth
- Same-day crown placement or temporary crown to protect a damaged tooth
- Emergency dental fillings to restore fractured or decayed teeth
- Dental abscess drainage and antibiotic therapy when clinically indicated
- Tooth reimplantation for knocked-out permanent teeth
- Emergency tooth extraction to resolve severe infection or irreparable damage
- Repair and replacement of lost or broken crowns, bridges, and restorations
- Pain management including local anesthesia for immediate relief
We explain your options and what each may cost before any treatment begins.
Do We Offer Sedation for Emergency Dental Procedures?
Dental emergencies are stressful enough without worrying about discomfort or anxiety during treatment. Olympia Hills Family Dental offers several sedation options for patients undergoing emergency procedures:
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
A fast-acting option that reduces anxiety during emergency procedures. The effects wear off quickly, allowing most patients to drive home afterward.
Oral Conscious Sedation
A prescription sedative taken before your appointment that places you in a deeply relaxed state. A driver is required for this option.
IV Conscious Sedation
For patients with significant anxiety or those needing more extensive emergency treatment, IV sedation is available when clinically appropriate. A driver is required.
How Do You Pay for Emergency Dental Care?
Dental emergencies are unexpected, and the cost can be too. We work with most major PPO dental insurance plans, and our team will verify your coverage before your visit. If you are unsure whether your plan applies, call our office.
- Most major PPO dental insurance plans accepted
- Financing options are available, so ask our team about CareCredit and other payment plans
- Cash, debit, and major credit cards accepted
- No insurance? Our team will walk you through transparent pricing and payment options before any treatment begins
No insurance? Learn about our payment plans and patient loyalty program.
Who Is Dr. Hafen, Your Emergency Dentist in Live Oak, TX?
Dr. Jerame Hafen, DDS
AAID Certified Implant Dentist · Emergency Dental CareDr. Hafen has been restoring smiles at Olympia Hills Family Dental for decades. He is an AAID Certified Implant Dentist and has placed more than 1,000 dental implants. He leads our team when patients need urgent care for a traumatic tooth injury or a severe infection, and we offer same-day treatment whenever possible.
How Can You Prevent a Dental Emergency?
Not every emergency can be prevented, but a few habits can lower your risk. Avoid chewing ice or hard candy, and use scissors, not your teeth, to open packages.
Wear a Mouthguard
A custom mouthguard protects your teeth during sports. Learn about our sports mouthguards.
Protect Against Grinding
A custom nightguard can protect teeth from damage caused by grinding. Learn about our nightguards.
Keep Up With Checkups
Regular exams and cleanings can find decay and cracks before they hurt. See our preventative dentistry services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation causing severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding, significant swelling, or risk of permanent tooth loss that requires prompt attention. Common dental emergencies include a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, dental abscess with swelling, a broken tooth causing pain or sharp edges, and a lost crown or filling leaving the tooth exposed. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call our office. Our team will help you assess the urgency.
How soon can I be seen for a dental emergency at Olympia Hills?
We make every effort to see emergency patients the same day they call. A live team member answers our phone 24/7, so you can reach us at any hour and schedule an appointment promptly. Call us at (210) 658-3131 as soon as your emergency begins.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Act immediately. Pick up the tooth by the crown (the visible white part) and never by the root. Rinse it gently with water but do not scrub or remove any attached tissue. If possible, try to place the tooth back in its socket. If that is not possible, keep it moist in a cup of milk or stored between your cheek and gum. Then call our office right away. Tooth reimplantation is most successful within the first 30 to 60 minutes.
Should I go to the ER or call a dentist for a dental emergency?
For most dental emergencies, such as toothaches, broken teeth, abscesses, or lost restorations, calling an emergency dentist is the faster way to get dental treatment than an ER visit. Emergency rooms usually cannot perform dental procedures. They can help manage pain and infection. However, if you have severe swelling affecting your breathing or swallowing, a high fever alongside dental pain, or significant facial trauma, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Does Olympia Hills accept dental insurance for emergency visits?
Yes. We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans. Our team will verify your coverage before your visit. If you do not have dental insurance, we will discuss all available payment options including financing, so that cost is never a barrier to getting the emergency care you need.
How much does an emergency dentist visit cost?
The cost depends on the problem and the treatment you need. We explain your options and what each may cost before any treatment begins. If you do not have insurance, ask about our payment plans and patient loyalty program.
Is Olympia Hills Family Dental accepting new emergency patients?
Yes. We are actively welcoming new emergency patients from Live Oak and across the northeast San Antonio area, including Schertz, Converse, Selma, and surrounding communities. Call (210) 658-3131 or visit our new patient forms page to get started right away.
Will a toothache go away on its own?
Pain that fades does not always mean the problem is gone. Decay or infection can keep growing without pain. If a toothache does not go away, call us so we can find the cause.
Is there an emergency dentist available at night or on weekends near Live Oak?
A live team member answers our phone 24/7, so you can call at any hour. Our office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 7:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday 8:00am to 3:00pm. If you call outside those hours, we will tell you what to do next. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911.
Do you offer emergency dental care in Spanish?
Dr. Gonzalez is fluent in English and Spanish. Call (210) 658-3131 and ask about care in Spanish. Dra. Gonzalez habla español.
Call Olympia Hills Family Dental for Emergency Dental Care
A dental emergency will not wait, so please call us right away. Olympia Hills Family Dental has been a dental home for northeast San Antonio families for more than 50 years. We offer same-day appointments to emergency patients across Live Oak, Schertz, Converse, Selma, and the greater San Antonio area whenever possible.
Call us now at (210) 658-3131 or fill out our new patient forms to get started immediately.
Request Emergency AppointmentRequest a Service Appointment
"*" indicates required fields