Broke a Tooth on the Weekend in Tucson? Here Is What to Do
Weekends in Tucson mean backyard cookouts, hiking in the Catalinas, pickup sports at Himmel Park, and family outings. They also mean biting into something hard, taking an elbow to the face, or tripping on a trail. Broken teeth happen, and they always seem to happen when your regular dentist is closed.
If you break a tooth on a Saturday, we can see you the same day. Our office is open Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If it happens on a Sunday, follow the first aid steps below and call us first thing Monday morning.
First aid for a broken tooth: Start by rinsing your mouth with warm water to clear any debris. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a piece of clean gauze or a damp tea bag. If you find the broken piece of tooth, save it. Put it in a small container with milk or water. Sometimes the piece can be bonded back on.
For pain, take ibuprofen (400 to 600 mg). If the break has left a sharp edge that is cutting your tongue or cheek, cover it with a piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax from the drugstore. This is a temporary fix to protect the soft tissue until you get to the dentist.
Avoid chewing on the broken side. Stick to soft foods and avoid very hot or very cold drinks, which can trigger sharp pain if the nerve is exposed.
What happens when you come to the office depends on how much of the tooth is broken. A small chip may just need smoothing and a composite bonding repair, which Dr. Torres can do in 30 minutes. A larger break that exposes the inner layer of the tooth (dentin or pulp) may need a crown, and if the nerve is exposed, a root canal first.
If the tooth is cracked vertically or broken below the gum line, extraction may be the best option. Dr. Torres will take X-rays to see the full extent of the damage and explain your options before doing any work.
The cost of weekend emergency dental care is the same as our regular pricing. We do not charge extra for Saturday appointments. A bonding repair runs $150 to $400. A crown costs $800 to $1,500. An extraction runs $150 to $500.
Bottom line: if you break a tooth on a Saturday, call 520-317-6362 and we will get you in. If it happens on a Sunday, manage the pain with ibuprofen, protect the sharp edge, and call us at 8 AM Monday.