Can you see me today – Here is the fast answer

Valley View Dental offers same-day emergency care at three nearby offices, and if you call now, we will work to get you seen today. That makes us an emergency dentist near you if you live in or around Romeoville, IL, Naperville, IL, or Montgomery, IL.

If you have tooth pain, swelling, or a broken or knocked-out tooth, call and tell us what happened. We hold time open for same-day appointments, we are open Saturdays, and our offices are rated 4.9 stars across all three locations.

If your problem is severe, with trouble breathing or swallowing or a fast-spreading facial swelling, read the ER guidance below first. Before you come in, it helps to know whether what you are feeling is a true dental emergency or something that can wait until tomorrow.

What counts as a dental emergency, and what can wait until tomorrow

A dental emergency is bleeding that will not stop, swelling, severe tooth pain, or a broken or knocked-out tooth, and these need same-day care. Other problems can wait a day or two, so it helps to know the difference before you decide.

See a dentist the same day if you have:

• A knocked-out tooth, also called an avulsed tooth. To save it, reinsert it or store it in milk and be seen within about an hour (American Association of Endodontists).
• Facial or gum swelling with a toothache, which can signal a dental abscess or infection (ADA, MouthHealthy).
• Severe toothache that stops you eating or sleeping.
• Uncontrolled bleeding after an injury.
• A broken or cracked tooth that is painful or has a sharp edge.

You can usually book soon, rather than rush in, for:

• A lost filling or a lost crown with no pain, which often can wait a day or two (ADA).
• A small chip with no pain and no sharp edge.
• Mild sensitivity that comes and goes.

Some signs point to a hospital, not a dental office, so here is where to draw that line.

When should you go to the ER or urgent care instead of a dentist

A hospital emergency room is the right place for trouble breathing or swallowing, a spreading facial swelling, or a jaw injury such as a possible jaw fracture, so call 911 or go to the ER for those, while a dentist handles the tooth itself. For most tooth pain, a dental office is faster and often costs less than an ER visit.

Here is the practical split:

• The ER and urgent care can give you pain control and antibiotics, but they usually do not pull or repair the tooth (ADA, CDC).
• A dentist treats the cause, with a tooth extraction, a root canal, or draining an infection, and can often do it the same day (ADA).
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a facial swelling that is spreading fast, is a medical emergency. Go to the ER or call 911.

Because our team includes an in-house oral surgeon, many cases that might otherwise send you to a hospital can be handled at the dental office. While you decide where to go, there are a few things you can do right now.

What should you do right now, before you get to us

A few calm steps can protect the tooth and ease the pain on your way in. None of these replace being seen, so call as you go.

For a knocked-out tooth (an avulsed tooth), hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk, and get to us within about an hour, which improves the chance of saving it (American Association of Endodontists).

For a broken or cracked tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek to bring down swelling (ADA).

For a lost filling or a lost crown, keep the crown if you have it and avoid gluing anything in place. Call the office and we will walk you through what to do next (ADA).

For swelling or a suspected dental abscess, use a salt-water rinse with mild, warm salt water and call us. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, as it can burn the tissue (ADA).

For general pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever taken as directed on the label can help until your visit. Follow the package instructions or ask your pharmacist; we do not give specific doses here.

Once you have done what you can, head to the nearest of our three offices.

Can you really be seen the same day near you, in Romeoville, Naperville, or Montgomery

Valley View Dental has three offices across the southwest Chicago suburbs, so call ahead and we will hold time for same-day emergencies. Calling first lets us prepare a room and get you seen today faster, though walk-ins are welcome too.

Our offices are:

• Romeoville: 441 N Weber Rd, Romeoville, IL 60446.
• Naperville: 3103 111th St, Ste 131, Naperville, IL 60564.
• Montgomery: 1078 Ogden Ave, Montgomery, IL 60538.

Each office keeps same-day appointments open for emergencies and has Saturday hours, so there is often a location near you that can get you seen today. To start, call and tell us what happened. Our three offices are rated 4.9 stars. If your emergency happens after hours or on a Sunday, here is what to expect.

What happens after hours or on the weekend

After hours, we are not a 24-hour office, so call and follow the instructions to reach us, and use the ER for anything that cannot wait. Being honest about this matters more than claiming to be open around the clock.

Here is what we can confirm today:

• We are open Saturdays, so a weekend emergency can often be seen the same day or on the next open day.
• If you have severe swelling, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, do not wait for the office to open. Go to the ER or call 911.

To reach us, call (630) 509-7933.

When you do get in, you will not be handed off somewhere else, and here is why.

Will you send me somewhere else, or can you treat it in one place

Valley View Dental has an in-house oral surgeon and an in-house endodontist, so an emergency that needs a tooth extraction or a root canal is handled here, often the same day, with no referral out. You are not sent from office to office to finish one problem.

Our full team works under one roof, which means no referrals needed for most surgical or root canal cases:

• Dr. Anthony Lotesto is a board-certified oral surgeon (OMFS) on staff.
• Dr. Fuwad Al-Sabek is an endodontist on staff, for root canal (endodontic therapy) care.
• With CEREC technology, a same-day crown for a broken tooth can often be made in a single visit.

This is what sets an emergency visit here apart from a general office that refers surgery out.

Once the tooth is handled, the last worry is usually the bill, so here is a straight answer on cost.

What will emergency care cost, and will my insurance help

Emergency dental costs depend on what the tooth needs, so you get a clear, upfront estimate before we start, and most major PPO plans are accepted. You will not be surprised by the bill after treatment.

Here is how we keep cost clear:

• You get a written estimate for the emergency exam and any treatment before we begin, so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.
• We accept most major PPO plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we can help check your insurance and in-network coverage.
• If you are paying out of pocket or need to spread the cost, financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit.

We do not publish a flat cash price for an emergency exam, extraction, or root canal, because the right number depends on your tooth. A free consult gives you a real estimate for your situation.

If a monthly payment figure is shown for Cherry financing, it must carry the required disclaimer.

Still unsure what to do? These are the questions people ask most.

Emergency dentist FAQ

Will a dentist pull an infected tooth the same day?

Often yes, once the infection is controlled. Our in-house oral surgeon can treat many cases the same day, and a same-day extraction of an infected tooth may be possible depending on your tooth (ADA, AAOMS).

Can I go to urgent care for a dental issue?

Urgent care and the ER can help with pain, swelling, and antibiotics, but a dentist treats the tooth itself (ADA). For most dental problems, a dental office is the faster route.

What will the ER do for tooth pain?

The ER usually gives pain relief and antibiotics, not a repair or an extraction (ADA, CDC). It is the right choice for breathing trouble, swallowing trouble, or a spreading swelling.

Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?

Walk-ins are welcome, and calling ahead lets us prepare a room and see you faster. Call before you come if you can.