A toothache that will not settle
Pain that throbs, wakes you at night or does not ease with over-the-counter pain relief taken as the label directs.
Emergency dentist, Boise
Emergency dentist in Boise: call before 3:30 pm and be seen today.
A dental emergency is a tooth problem that cannot wait for a regular appointment. Morrow Creek holds two same-day slots every weekday. Call, tell us what happened, and we tell you when to come in and what to do until then.
- 2 slotsheld every weekday for same-day visits
- 3:30 pmweekday call-by time for a held slot
- Sat 8 to 12emergency visits only, no regular booking
What counts
What counts as a dental emergency?
These five are the calls we hear most. If yours is not on the list, call anyway.
A broken or chipped tooth
A piece came off, or the tooth feels sharp or sore when you bite. A crack can reach the nerve even when it looks small.
A knocked-out or loose tooth
A tooth knocked out has a short window. The sooner a dentist sees it, the better the options. Call straight away.
A lost filling or crown
The tooth underneath is exposed. It can hurt with cold, heat or chewing, and it can crack or decay quickly.
Swelling or a bump on the gum
Swelling near a tooth can mean infection. Call the same day. If the swelling spreads to your face or throat, call 911.
First hour
What to do in the first hour.
These steps are first aid, not treatment. An exam is what decides what is wrong.
-
01
Call Morrow Creek
Tell us what happened and when. We ask whether there is swelling or fever and tell you whether to come in today.
-
02
Rinse gently with warm water
Clear out food and blood. Do not scrub the area and do not use hot water.
-
03
Press clean gauze on any bleeding
Hold firm pressure for ten minutes. If it has not slowed after ten minutes, go to an emergency room.
-
04
Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek
Fifteen minutes on, fifteen off. Do not put heat on a swollen area and do not place aspirin on the gum.
-
05
Keep any tooth or piece
Hold a knocked-out tooth by the crown, not the root. Rinse it briefly and keep it in milk, or tucked in your cheek if you are old enough to avoid swallowing it. Bring it with you.
911
Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have:
- Bleeding that does not slow after ten minutes of firm pressure
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat that is spreading
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A head injury, a blow to the jaw, or any loss of consciousness
- A fever with swelling and you feel very unwell
We are a dental office, not a hospital. We cannot treat these safely, so please do not call us first.
The visit
What happens when you arrive.
We are quick about it. A dentist looks at the tooth, takes an X-ray if one will help, and tests the area gently for cold and bite. Then we explain what we found in plain words, and what the choices are.
The aim of an emergency visit is to stop the pain and protect the tooth. Sometimes that finishes the job, for example a filling or smoothing a chipped edge. Sometimes it is the first step of a longer plan, and you leave with that plan and a written estimate before anything else is done. Results vary and depend on the exam.
- An exam and X-ray when needed
- A plain explanation of what we see
- Pain relief and protection for the tooth today
- A written estimate before any further treatment
Call or go
Dental office or emergency room?
| Situation | Call Morrow Creek | Call 911 or go to an emergency room |
|---|---|---|
| Toothache without swelling | Today | No |
| Chipped tooth, no bleeding | Today or the next day | No |
| Tooth knocked out | Right away, within the hour | Yes, if you also hit your head or were knocked out |
| Swelling on the gum only | Today | If it spreads to the eye, face or throat |
| Bleeding that will not stop | No, go first to an emergency room | Yes |
More help
Read what to do for the most common calls.
How fast can I be seen?
If you call by 3:30 pm on a weekday, we hold one of two same-day slots for you. If both are taken, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then. Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm are for emergency visits only.
Do you answer calls at night and on Sundays?
No. We do not run an overnight line. Leave a message and we return it when we open, by 7:00 am on weekdays and 8:00 am on Saturday. For severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury, call 911.
Do I have to be a patient already?
No. Many of our emergency visits are people who have never been here. After the visit you are welcome to stay as a patient, and you see the same team each time.
What will an emergency visit cost?
We do not list prices on this site. After the exam and before treatment you get a written estimate. We work with most major PPO plans and offer third-party financing for larger treatment.
Can you fix the tooth at the same visit?
Sometimes. A filling or a smoothed edge can often be finished the same day. A cracked tooth or an infection may need a plan over several visits. The dentist explains which applies after the exam. Results vary.
What if I am scared of the dentist?
Tell us when you call. We go at your pace, explain each step before it happens and stop when you ask. Sedation, if it is suitable for you, is discussed at a visit, not promised over the phone.
Boise, Idaho
Tooth problem? Tell us now.
Call before 3:30 pm on a weekday and we hold a same-day slot for you. After that, we tell you the soonest opening and what to do until then.
| Monday to Thursday | 7:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 7:00 am to 2:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, emergency visits only |
| Sunday | Closed |
Call 911 for severe bleeding, a swollen face or throat, trouble breathing or a head injury.