Cal Dental Group · Patient guide
Know which kind of help you need.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Michael Issakharian, DDS
A dental emergency is a problem that needs prompt professional attention, such as a knocked-out adult tooth, significant tooth damage, severe pain, or suspected infection. Medical emergencies need emergency medical care rather than a dental appointment.
Call to confirm an appointment before visiting.
936 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 101 · Los Angeles, CA 90019
Medical emergency? Call 911 for trouble breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a life-threatening injury. Difficulty swallowing or swelling spreading toward the eye or neck needs emergency medical care. Do not wait for a dental appointment.
Use your symptoms to guide the next call
This guide helps you describe a concern; it cannot decide the urgency of every individual situation. For appointment requests, visit our Los Angeles emergency dentistry page or call 323-934-2804. If you are uncertain and symptoms are worsening, get professional advice now.
Seek emergency medical care now
Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious head, facial, or jaw injury needs emergency medical care. Rapidly spreading swelling or swelling affecting the eye or neck also warrants emergency assessment. Do not wait for a dental-office callback.
Call a dentist immediately
- A knocked-out permanent tooth: time matters, even if the pain is limited.
- A badly broken, loose, or displaced tooth: describe the injury and any change in your bite.
- Severe or persistent tooth pain: explain whether you can eat or sleep.
- New swelling or suspected abscess: report fever and feeling unwell.
Call for advice about timing
A small painless chip, a lost filling or crown, or mild sensitivity still deserves a dental assessment. The office can help determine the next available suitable visit. New pain, swelling, bleeding, or difficulty eating changes the situation; report those developments rather than waiting automatically.
After recent dental treatment
Contact the treating dentist when pain is worsening, a restoration feels loose, or aftercare is not going as expected. Follow the instructions they gave you. Tell them the procedure and date, the symptom change, and medicines you have used. Uncontrolled bleeding needs emergency medical attention.
What an emergency room can and cannot do
A hospital can assess serious infection, major trauma, and other medical complications. You may still need a dentist afterward to treat the tooth itself. Do not avoid emergency medical care because the original problem started in your mouth.
Make the call useful
Start with the main symptom and when it began. Mention any accident, a lost adult tooth, swelling, fever, bleeding, or breathing or swallowing changes. Ask where and when to go. For evening or weekend concerns, read our after-hours care guide.
Your next step
Arrange a dental assessment
Call 323-934-2804 and describe your symptoms, when they began, and any recent treatment or injury.
Emergency dentistry in Los Angeles →
Same-day and after-hours appointments depend on availability. Follow the telephone instructions if you call outside regular hours.
Questions about dentist or er?
Does every chipped tooth require an emergency visit?
The urgency depends on the injury and symptoms. Call the office; pain, looseness, bleeding, or a changed bite should be reported.
Should I fill out an online form for an urgent problem?
Call for an urgent concern so you can ask about availability and next steps. An online request should not be treated as confirmation of immediate care.
Can I be seen without an appointment?
Call first. Walk-in access and same-day treatment must be confirmed with the office before traveling.
Explore related concerns
More emergency dental guides
Patient education from Cal Dental Group. Updated October 21, 2026. Meet our dentists and specialists.
General information cannot diagnose a dental problem or replace an examination. Follow instructions from your treating clinician.
Further reading: Cleveland Clinic: dental emergencies · NHS: dental abscess
Need help with an urgent dental concern?
Call Cal Dental Group to discuss symptoms and confirm the next available appointment.