Emergency Dental Care in Delray Beach
Dental emergencies are disorienting — you're in pain, you don't know how serious it is, and you're not sure whether to wait or act. The answer is almost always to call. We will tell you what we think is happening based on what you describe, whether it needs same-day attention, and whether it's the kind of thing where waiting overnight makes it worse.
Most dental emergencies — toothaches, broken teeth, lost crowns, trauma — can be seen same day if you call during business hours. We keep appointments available specifically for urgent cases. Call us at (561) 495-7660 the morning of and we will tell you what's possible that day.
Dr. Ressler has been treating patients in Delray Beach for 26 years. Emergencies are part of that — a patient in pain gets seen.
If you're not sure whether your situation counts as an emergency, call. Describing what's happening takes two minutes and we will tell you what we think.
Severe toothache
Tooth pain that's constant, keeps you up at night, or is worsening over hours is almost always something that needs to be evaluated. The source may be infection, a cracked tooth, or an abscess. We will examine it, identify the cause, and explain your options — including what to expect from different treatment paths.
Broken, chipped, or cracked tooth
How serious a break is depends on where the crack is and how deep it goes. A small chip may not be urgent; a vertical crack that reaches the root needs prompt attention. Call and describe what you're experiencing — pain with biting or temperature sensitivity tells us a lot about where the fracture is.
Lost or broken crown or filling
A lost crown or filling exposes the tooth to sensitivity and potential decay. It's not always painful right away — but the exposed area needs to be protected. We can often recement a crown same day or place a temporary restoration until a permanent solution is ready.
Dental abscess or swelling
Swelling in the jaw or face, especially if accompanied by fever, is a dental emergency that should not wait. An abscess is a bacterial infection — left untreated, it can spread. If you have facial swelling and difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room first, then call us.
Knocked-out tooth
Time is critical. If the tooth is adult (permanent), rinse it without scrubbing, place it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk or between your cheek and gum. Call immediately — reimplantation is most successful within 30–60 minutes of the injury.
Soft tissue injuries
Cuts or lacerations to the lips, tongue, or gums from trauma may need evaluation. Control bleeding with clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not slow after 10 minutes of firm pressure, go to urgent care or the emergency room.
Emergency appointments are not rushed walk-ins. When you come in, Dr. Ressler evaluates what's happening, explains what he finds in plain language, and gives you a realistic picture of your options — including cost, timeline, and what happens if you defer treatment.
"Emergency patients are usually anxious. The most useful thing I can do is slow down, explain what I'm seeing clearly, and make sure they understand what they're deciding. A calm patient makes better decisions."
If treatment is needed the same day, we discuss it before starting. You will not have a procedure done without understanding what it is, why it's recommended, and what it costs. If it can wait until a follow-up appointment, we will tell you that too.