What actually counts as a dental emergency

Call the same day for: a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth with visible pulp or bleeding, a swelling that's spreading toward your eye or neck, or pain sharp enough to disrupt sleep or eating. These are time-sensitive in a way a routine visit isn't.

Things that can usually wait a day or two for a regular appointment: a minor chip with no pain, a lost filling that isn't sensitive, mild soreness after a cleaning, or a loose retainer wire that isn't cutting your cheek.

When in doubt, call anyway — a two-minute conversation with the front desk is the fastest way to know which category you're actually in.