Signs You Might Need a Dental Filling: Don’t Ignore These Warning Symptoms
Wondering if you need a dental filling? Learn the most common signs of cavities, what to expect at the dentist, and why early treatment is key to a healthy smile
Services / Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency happens, you need care that's fast and easy to access. At Tend, we make it simple to get help when you need it most. Our team will diagnose and treat your issue efficiently with our calm, focused approach.
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A dental emergency is any dental issue requiring immediate professional treatment to prevent serious complications like excessive bleeding, severe pain, or infection. Common examples include a severe toothache, a cracked or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown, or signs of infection like swelling or sensitivity.
These issues can worsen quickly if left untreated, so it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible if you're experiencing dental pain.
At Tend, emergency care is designed to be fast, gentle, and judgment-free. Our studios are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that helps us diagnose and treat urgent issues efficiently. With extended hours, same-day appointments, and studios open six days a week, we make it easy to get relief when you need it.
During your emergency dental appointment, we’ll prioritize quick pain relief and accurate diagnosis. Here’s what your visit might include:
Many dental emergencies start as small issues that go unnoticed, like a tiny cavity, a cracked filling, or early gum inflammation. Regular exams and cleanings, typically every six months, make it easier to catch these problems early, before they turn into something painful or urgent.
During your routine exams at Tend, our providers use advanced imaging and gentle, thorough exams to monitor your teeth and gums closely. This proactive approach can help prevent sudden pain, infection, or damage so that your smile stays healthy, strong, and worry-free year-round.
We want to make accessing dental care easy. Our Tend Dental studios work with most major insurance carriers, and our team is here to help you navigate your benefits with confidence.
We are happy to accept most dental insurance plans, including (but not limited to):
Curious if your insurance will cover your exam? We can tell you in just a few seconds.
We are happy to accept most dental insurance plans, including (but not limited to):
Curious if your insurance will cover your exam? We can tell you in just a few seconds.
Here’s what you need to know about getting fast, gentle emergency care at Tend.
A dental emergency is any issue that causes pain, bleeding, swelling, or damage to your teeth, gums, or jaw, and it usually means you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Common dental emergencies include severe toothaches, knocked-out or broken teeth, signs of infection (like swelling or pus), lost fillings or crowns, or trauma to the mouth. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution; early treatment can prevent serious complications.
Tend accepts most major PPO dental insurances like Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, and Guardian. However, we unfortunately do not accept Medicaid, Healthplex, or HMO plans.
Not sure if your insurance is accepted? During your consultation we'll check if you're in-network. We'll also be able to check your out-of-pocket emergency visit cost.
Feel free to call your nearby Tend Dental studio. Our dental providers are happy to check to see how much your emergency visit will cost out-of-pocket and discuss our payment options.
Not everything qualifies as a dental emergency. Some issues, like a chipped tooth without pain or blood, may seem like a dental emergency but do not necessarily require same-day urgent care. Depending on your issue, you may be able to wait a few days before seeing a dentist. However, for other issues like a broken or lost tooth, you should seek out emergency care.
The best way to tell if you require emergency dental care is to call your nearby Tend Dental studio.
Some issues don't require urgent care. However, if you call your nearby Tend Dental studio and we recommend care, it is best to schedule a visit as soon as possible.
Delaying care can make things worse. What starts as a minor toothache or broken crown can turn into an infection, or abscess, or even lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Dental infections can also impact your overall health. If you’re in pain, swollen, or can’t eat or sleep comfortably, it’s time to come in. Our job is to help you feel better quickly and safely.
Our team of dentists and oral surgeons are prepared for almost any dental emergency. We cover things like tooth pain, toothaches, chipped teeth, broken teeth, knocked out teeth, extractions, implants, crowns, cavities, loose fillings, and more!
Don't see your dental issue in this list? Call your nearby Tend Dental studio, and we'll be happy to chat about your needs.
There are many different causes of tooth pain. Depending on the cause, you may require immediate emergency care.
Some toothaches are caused by what is called an abscess. An abscess is an infection of the tooth resulting in pus either at the gums or base of the tooth. Abscesses can result in severe tooth pain, which may even radiate to the ear and neck. With the case of an abscess, you will require emergency dental care. Failing to seek out urgent care can result in the spread of infection and fever. To treat an abscess, a dentist would drain the site of infection and prescribe antibiotics.
Some toothaches are caused by cracked teeth. Cracked teeth can appear as hairline cracks. Without attention, cracked teeth can progress into larger cracks, which may result in potential tooth loss.
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