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Dental emergencies are like surprise houseguests — they always show up at the worst possible moment. Friday at 4:55 pm. Saturday morning before your kid’s soccer tournament. Two days before vacation. Right in the middle of that one bite of popcorn you swore you’d be careful with.
Here’s the good news: at Christiansen Dental, we keep room in our schedule for same-day emergency dental appointments in Centennial. If you’re in pain, bleeding, or staring at a piece of your own tooth in the palm of your hand, call us right away at (303)790-9323. We’ll do everything we can to get you in today.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental issue is an emergency, but a few definitely are. Call us right away if you have any of the following:
• A knocked-out tooth. Time matters — ideally, the tooth should be re-implanted within 30–60 minutes.
• A cracked, broken, or fractured tooth, especially if you can see the inside of the tooth or it hurts when you breathe in cold air.
• Severe tooth pain that wakes you up at night or throbs even when you’re sitting still.
• Swelling in the face, gums, or jaw — this can be a sign of infection that shouldn’t wait.
• A lost crown or filling that’s leaving a tooth exposed and painful.
• Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth after an injury or extraction.
• An abscess — a painful, pimple-like bump on the gum that may signal infection.
If you’re having trouble breathing or swallowing, or the swelling is spreading to your neck or eye, skip the dentist and head straight to the ER. We can take it from there once you’re stable.
What to Do Before You Get to Our Office
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, every minute counts. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part) — not the root. Gently rinse off any dirt without scrubbing. If you can, place it back in the socket. If not, tuck it in your cheek or drop it in a small container of milk to keep it moist on the way to our office.
Cracked or Broken Tooth
Rinse with warmwater, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling, and avoid chewing on that side. If you can find any tooth fragments, bring them with you.
Severe Toothache
Rinse with warm water and gently floss around the painful tooth — sometimes food is the troublemaker. Over-the-counter pain relievers can take the edge off, but never put aspirin directly on the gum (it can burn the tissue).
Lost Filling or Crown
Save the crown if you can find it. Dental cement from the drugstore can be a temporary fix, but plan to come in soon — an exposed tooth is vulnerable.
Should I Go to the ER or an Emergency Dentist?
Most emergency rooms aren’t set up to treat teeth — they’ll handle pain and infection, but they generally can’t repair, replace, or restore a tooth. For anything tooth-specific, an emergency dentist is almost always the better, faster, and less expensive call. Head to the ER for facial trauma, suspected jaw fractures, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or signs that an infection is spreading.
Why Patients Choose Christiansen Dental for Emergencies
• Same-day appointments whenever possible — we save space in the schedule for urgent cases.
• Two experienced dentists on staff. Drs. Bart and James Christiansen have been doing this for a combined 50+ years.
• Modern technology for fast, accurate diagnosis —including digital X-rays so we can see exactly what’s going on.
• A calm, friendly office. You’re already stressed. We won’t add to it.
• Honest pricing and a willingness to talk through your options before anything happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I be seen?
Most of the time, same day — especially if you call us in the morning. Even for late-day calls, we’ll do our best to find a slot or give you guidance over the phone until we can get you in.
Do you treat children for dental emergencies?
Yes. We’re a family practice, and we treat patients of all ages. If your child has a dental emergency, call us right away.
Will my insurance cover an emergency visit?
Most dental insurance plans cover an emergency exam and a portion of any treatment. We’ll verify your benefits and walk you through the cost before anything is done.
What if my emergency happens after hours?
Leave us a message with your name, callback number, and a quick description of what’s going on. Call again first thing in the morning. For severe pain or swelling overnight, urgent care can help with pain medication and antibiotics — we’ll handle the rest the next day.
Call Us — We’ll Take It From Here
Ready to get started? Call (303)790-9323, book online, or stop by 9085 E Mineral Cir STE 160, Centennial, CO 80112. We promise to make you smile, and probably laugh, too.
About Christiansen Dental
Christiansen Dental is a family-owned dental practice in Centennial, CO, led by Drs. Bart and James Christiansen. Bart (older, better looking) has been practicing since 1988, and James (younger, in better shape) since 2009. We offer general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry for the whole family in a comfortable, friendly office — with a little humor thrown in for good measure.
