Dental Emergencies in Eastpointe

Dental Emergencies in Eastpointe

A severe toothache, facial swelling, or a broken tooth are not things to wait out. Dental infections spread through the jaw quickly, and in serious cases can affect your airway. The longer a broken tooth, lost crown, or post-procedure complication sits untreated, the more complicated the fix becomes. At Lakeshore Dental Specialists, Dr. Tattan and our board-certified team hold same-day appointments for exactly these situations, no referral or prior visit required.

When you call, someone picks up. We'll ask what hurts, how long it's been going on, and whether there's any swelling or fever, so the right specialist is ready before you arrive. We're open Tuesday through Friday and would much rather hear from you early than have something treatable become something much harder to fix.

Call (586) 238-3199 and we'll get you in as fast as we can.

What You Need to Know Right Now

• If you're dealing with severe or worsening pain, visible swelling, bleeding that won't stop, or a broken or knocked-out tooth, that's a same-day situation. Don't wait to see if it gets better on its own.
• Swelling that comes with a fever, or a bad taste that keeps coming back, usually means there's an infection underneath.
• Before you call, try to note when the pain started and what seems to make it worse. If you have a tooth fragment, keep it moist.
• If you're having trouble breathing or swallowing, or the swelling is moving toward your eye or throat, go straight to the hospital.

Call Today vs. Wait a Few Days: How to Tell the Difference

Call Us Today If You Are Experiencing Any of These

• Severe tooth pain, or pain that started mild and has been getting worse
• Swelling in your jaw, face, or gums, especially if it feels warm or is spreading
• A broken, cracked, or knocked-out tooth
• A lost crown or filling that has left a sharp edge or is causing pain
• Bleeding from your mouth that won't stop after an injury
• Signs of infection, such as a fever, a bad taste that keeps coming back, or swelling that feels like it is building up
• Pain, swelling, or discharge that started after a procedure at another office

These Can Usually Wait a Few Days

• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold that comes and goes on its own
• A small chip with no pain and no rough edge bothering you
• A dull, manageable ache that eases with over-the-counter pain relief and is not getting worse

Step by Step: How We Handle Dental Emergencies Same Day

1. The Phone Call

Tell us what hurts, how long it's been going on, and whether there's any swelling. We'll make sure the right specialist is ready when you arrive. If it sounds like a hospital situation, we'll tell you that upfront.

2. Exam and Imaging

We examine the area and, when needed, use 3D imaging to see bone, roots, and infection in detail that a standard X-ray can miss. This helps us find the actual source of the problem, not just treat the surface.

3. Getting You Comfortable

Pain relief comes first. That might mean draining an infection, treating the nerve, stabilizing a break, or removing a tooth that can't be saved. If anxiety is a concern, we address that from the start.

4. What Comes Next

Before you leave, we walk you through what we found and what was done. If there's more to address, like replacing a tooth with an implant, we explain your options clearly. No pressure to decide anything while you're still in the chair.

One Office, Every Specialist: Why That Matters in a Crisis

• The right specialist is already here. A tooth infection, a difficult extraction, and advanced gum disease are three different problems that usually require three different specialists. At most general offices, that means referrals, wait times, and starting over. Here, all of that happens in one place, with one team who already knows your case.
• We want to know why it happened, not just how to stop the pain. Getting you comfortable is the first priority. But we also look at what caused the problem in the first place, because treating the symptom without addressing the source usually means the problem comes back.
• Had work done somewhere else that isn't healing right? We see this regularly: a failed implant, an extraction site that's still swollen weeks later, pain that started after a procedure at another office. We'll review what was done and figure out the best path forward, with no judgment about where you've been.
• Your regular dentist won't be left in the dark. If you have a dentist you see for routine care, we'll coordinate with them directly so nothing falls through the cracks and your ongoing care stays on track.

Preparing for Your Emergency Visit: A Practical Checklist

What to Bring

• Any tooth fragments, kept moist in a small container of water or milk
• A list of your current medications, especially blood thinners or supplements, since these affect how we treat you
• Your insurance card, including any Federal Employee Dental PPO information. We are in-network with most of those plans
• A quick mental note of the tooth's history. Has it had a root canal, a crown, an implant, or any recent work? That context helps us a lot

While You Are Waiting to Be Seen

• Press a cold compress gently against the outside of your cheek. It will not fix the problem, but it can take the edge off swelling
• Rinse gently with warm salt water if it helps. One thing to avoid: do not put aspirin directly on your gum, as it can burn the tissue and make things worse
• If a tooth got knocked out, handle it by the white part (the crown), not the root. Try to set it back in the socket if you can, or place it in a glass of milk. The root surface has cells that help it reattach, and keeping it moist protects them until you get here

Emergency Dental Care Costs: What to Expect Before You Walk In

The emergency exam fee is separate from any treatment costs, and we go over both with you before anything starts. We'd rather give you a real number after we've seen what's going on than guess over the phone. Most dental plans cover emergency exams at least in part, so have your insurance card handy when you call. Federal employees, retirees, and covered family members are in good hands too: we're in-network with most Federal Employee Dental PPO plans.

If cost is a concern, just say so. We offer Sunbit financing, which breaks larger treatment costs into manageable monthly payments. For patients managing ongoing gum disease, our in-house Periodontal Maintenance Plan covers four periodontal cleanings, four exams, and one oral screening per year, with no deductibles, no annual maximums, and no pre-approvals required. Family members can be added at a 5% discount, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee if no benefits have been used.

What Makes Lakeshore the Right Call for a Dental Emergency

When something goes wrong with a tooth, the last thing you want is to be sent from one office to another. At Lakeshore, the right specialist is already here, and we have the tools to figure out what's going on the same day you call.

Our Team

• Dr. Mustafa Tattan, DDS, MS
• Dr. David Karwacki, DDS
• Dr. Colonya Calhoun, DDS, PhD — Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with a PhD in Oral Biology from UCLA
• Dr. Whitney D. Weiner, DDS, MS — Board certified in Periodontics and Dental Implants

What Sets Us Apart

• Same-day 3D imaging so we can see bone, roots, and infection in detail before we start treatment
• Laser dentistry for infected or inflamed gum tissue, which typically means less bleeding and a more comfortable recovery
• All specialists under one roof, so complex cases don't require referrals or repeat consultations
• Named a Macomb County Best of 2026 winner, based on real patient reviews and experiences
• Direct coordination with your regular dentist so nothing falls through the cracks after your visit

Whether your emergency involves an infection, a tooth that needs to come out, gum tissue concerns, or something more surgical, the right person is already here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies

Do I Need a Referral to Be Seen?

No referral needed. We see new and existing patients the same day. Call us, tell us what's going on, and we'll get you in.

Will You Treat the Pain, or Just Diagnose It?

We treat it. Same-day pain relief is the first priority. What we can address in a single visit depends on what we find, but we don't send patients home still hurting when there's something we can do right then.

I Had a Procedure at Another Office and Now I'm Swollen. Can You Help?

Yes. Bring the name of the treating office and any aftercare instructions you received. We'll review what was done, assess what's happening now, and coordinate with that dentist directly if needed.

My Tooth Got Knocked Out. How Much Time Do I Have?

Get to us within an hour. That window gives the tooth the best chance of being saved. Hold it by the crown, not the root. Try to place it back in the socket. If that's not possible, keep it in a glass of milk or between your cheek and gum. Do not let it dry out.

Is a Severe Toothache Always an Emergency?

Not always, but it can be. Pain that is severe, worsening, waking you up at night, or paired with swelling or fever needs same-day attention. Mild sensitivity that comes and goes is usually less urgent. If you're unsure, call us and describe what you're feeling.

I Got Antibiotics From Urgent Care. Is That Enough?

Antibiotics reduce the infection temporarily, but they don't remove the source. Dental infections typically originate from an infected nerve inside the tooth or bacteria deep in a gum pocket. Without treating that source directly, the infection returns once the antibiotics run out.

Hurting Right Now? Let's Get You In

If you're in pain, you don't need to fill out a form or wait three days for someone to call you back. Just call us. We'll ask you a few quick questions about what's going on, and if we can get you in the same day, we will. Reach us at (586) 238-3199. We're open Tuesday through Friday at our Eastpointe office on East 8 Mile Road. Dr. Tattan and the team will take it from there.