Emergency Dentist in Riverdale
Same-day care when dental pain and injuries can't wait
A dental emergency can happen at any moment — a cracked tooth on a hard bite, sudden throbbing pain, or a knocked-out tooth after a fall. At Broadview Dental Clinic in Riverdale we set aside time every day for urgent patients, so you are never left waiting in pain. Dr. Peter Ioannidis and Dr. Renu Varshney will assess the problem quickly, relieve your discomfort, and stabilize the tooth. If you are in pain right now, schedule your visit or call (416) 466-6400.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any problem that causes significant pain, uncontrolled bleeding, swelling, or the loss or fracture of a tooth. These situations need prompt professional attention to relieve pain and give the tooth the best chance of being saved.
Some issues — like a lost filling or a chipped tooth with no pain — can often wait a day or two. When you are unsure, call our office and our team will help you decide how urgently you need to be seen.
- Severe or persistent toothache
- Knocked-out (avulsed) permanent tooth
- Cracked, fractured, or broken tooth
- Facial or gum swelling and abscess
- A lost crown, filling, or bridge
- Soft-tissue injury with bleeding that won't stop
When you call with an emergency, we triage over the phone: infections with swelling and knocked-out teeth are seen most urgently, because prompt treatment directly affects the outcome. We reserve daily openings for exactly these situations so you are seen the same day whenever possible.
Reviewed by Dr. Peter Ioannidis & Dr. Renu Varshney · Broadview Dental Clinic, Riverdale
What to Do While You Wait
A few simple steps can protect the tooth and reduce pain before you reach our office:
- Knocked-out tooth: pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse, and place it back in the socket or in milk — then come in immediately.
- Toothache: rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed; avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum.
- Broken tooth: save any fragments, rinse your mouth, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Swelling or fever: this may signal an infection that needs prompt care — call us right away.
- Lost crown or filling: keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side until we can restore it.
Why Choose Our Emergency Dental Care
When something goes wrong with your teeth, you want a team that responds quickly and treats you with care:
Same-Day Appointments
We reserve time each day for emergencies so patients in pain are seen promptly — often the same day they call.
Fast Pain Relief
Our first priority is making you comfortable, then diagnosing and stabilizing the underlying problem.
Tooth-Saving Focus
When a tooth can be saved with prompt treatment, we act quickly to preserve it rather than remove it.
On-Site Digital Imaging
Digital X-rays and imaging let us see fractures, infection, and bone involvement immediately for an accurate diagnosis.
Calm, Gentle Team
Emergencies are stressful. Our team keeps you informed and comfortable throughout your visit.
Full Follow-Up Care
After stabilizing an emergency we plan any restorative work — from fillings to root canals — so the tooth is fully restored.
Your Emergency Visit, Step by Step
An emergency appointment is focused on relief first, then a clear plan. Here is how a typical urgent visit unfolds:
- 1. Rapid assessment. We evaluate the affected tooth, take any needed digital X-rays, and identify the source of the pain or damage.
- 2. Pain relief and stabilization. We address your discomfort — through local anesthetic, draining an abscess, or temporarily protecting a fractured tooth — so you feel better before you leave.
- 3. Diagnosis and options. Dr. Ioannidis or Dr. Varshney explains what happened, shows you the imaging, and outlines your treatment choices.
- 4. Definitive treatment. Depending on the emergency, we complete the repair the same day or schedule follow-up care such as a root canal, crown, or extraction.
- 5. Aftercare guidance. You leave with clear instructions on managing pain, protecting the area, and any next steps to fully restore the tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry
Yes. We reserve time in our daily schedule for urgent cases. Call our office at (416) 466-6400 as early as possible and we will make every effort to see you the same day, especially for severe pain, swelling, or a knocked-out tooth.
Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it if dirty, and if possible place it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it in milk or saliva and come to our office immediately — a knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved within the first hour.
A severe or persistent toothache, especially with swelling or fever, usually signals infection and should be treated promptly. Mild, occasional sensitivity is less urgent but still worth an exam. When in doubt, call us and we'll help you decide.
An abscess is a pocket of infection that needs prompt care. We relieve the pressure and pain, drain the infection where appropriate, and treat the source — often with root canal therapy or, in some cases, extraction — sometimes supported by antibiotics.
Our first goal is to make you comfortable. We use local anesthetic to numb the area before any treatment, and we work gently. If you feel anxious, ask us about sedation options for a calmer visit.
Cost depends on the treatment needed, which we can only determine after examining and imaging the tooth. We explain all fees before proceeding, work with most dental insurance plans, and offer flexible payment options.
Hospital emergency rooms can manage uncontrolled bleeding, trauma, or airway concerns, but they generally cannot treat the tooth itself. For toothaches, broken teeth, lost restorations, and abscesses, a dentist is the right choice.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute dental or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dental conditions vary by individual and treatment recommendations depend on a thorough clinical evaluation. Consult Dr. Peter Ioannidis, Dr. Renu Varshney, or a qualified dental professional regarding any questions about your oral health. Individual results may vary.