Emergency Dental Care in Upland: Your Complete Guide to Urgent Relief
If you are in pain, do not wait.
I'm Dr. Sikka at Higher Ground Dentistry, and I understand that dental pain doesn't wait for regular business hours.
Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times
Whether it is a throbbing toothache that wakes you up at 2 AM, a tooth knocked out during a weekend soccer game at Upland High, or a lost crown right before a big presentation, the panic is real. You need relief, and you need it now.
At Higher Ground Dentistry, we believe that no patient should have to suffer through the weekend. Dr. Vikas Sikka and our compassionate team provide same-day emergency appointments for families in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, and Ontario.
- Location: 121 West Foothill Boulevard, Upland, CA 91786.
- Hours: We are open Saturdays and Sundays and offer evening appointments until 7 PM.
- Availability: We reserve time in our daily schedule specifically for unexpected emergencies.
Is This a Medical Emergency?
Before you call us, check for these life-threatening signs:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Severe swelling that is spreading to your neck or eyes.
- Uncontrollable bleeding from a deep cut or trauma.
- Suspected broken jaw or head trauma.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, please call 911 or visit the nearest Emergency Room, such as San Antonio Regional Hospital, immediately. For all other tooth-related pain and injury, our office is your best resource for definitive treatment.
Understanding Your Dental Emergency
It is common to feel unsure about whether your situation requires urgent care. Many patients try to "tough it out," hoping the pain will subside. However, pain is your body's alarm system telling you that something is wrong. At Higher Ground Dentistry, we operate on a simple rule: If it hurts, it is an emergency to us.
Ignoring dental trauma can lead to more expensive and extensive procedures down the road. An untreated infection can spread to your jawbone or even your bloodstream. Getting help early—ideally within the first hour for trauma or the first 24 hours for pain—can often mean the difference between saving a tooth and losing it.
Immediate Emergencies (Call Us Now):
- Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth: This is time-critical. You have a 30-60 minute window to re-implant the tooth successfully.
- Severe Infection (Abscess): Indicated by a pimple on the gums, fever, or facial swelling.
- Loose Teeth: Adult teeth should never be loose. This indicates injury or advanced gum disease.
Urgent Care (Call for Same-Day/Next-Day):
- Broken or Chipped Tooth: Unless the nerve is exposed (bleeding), this can usually wait a few hours.
- Lost Filling or Crown: This can cause sensitivity but is rarely life-threatening.
- Dull Toothache: Persistent aching that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medication.
Common Emergencies We Treat
We treat the full spectrum of dental trauma at our Upland office. Click on the sections below for detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to handle your specific emergency before you arrive.
1. Knocked-Out Tooth (Avulsed Tooth)
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most frightening dental injuries, but it is often reversible if you act fast. The most important thing is to keep the periodontal ligament cells on the root alive.
- Quick Tip: Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never the root. Rinse it gently and place it back in the socket or store it in a cup of milk.
- Why Milk? Milk maintains the pH balance and keeps the root cells vital until you can see Dr. Sikka.
Link-> knocked-out-tooth-guide
2. Severe Toothache & Abscess
A severe toothache often indicates that bacteria have penetrated the enamel and reached the nerve (pulp) of the tooth. This can lead to a dental abscess—a pocket of pus that requires immediate drainage and antibiotics.
- Signs of Abscess: Throbbing pain, sensitivity to heat, fever, and a bad taste in the mouth.
- Don't Wait: An abscess will not go away on its own. It requires professional treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.
Link -> toothache-emergency-relief
3. Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Teeth
Whether it’s from a sports injury at Upland High or biting down on a popcorn kernel, a broken tooth can be sharp and painful. The treatment depends on the severity of the break.
- Our Solution: We provide immediate stabilization to protect the nerve and smooth any sharp edges. We then partner with high-quality dental labs to create custom crowns that restore your tooth's natural strength and appearance.
[Link] -> (/broken-tooth-emergency/)
4. Lost Crowns and Fillings
Losing a restoration exposes the sensitive underlying tooth structure to bacteria and temperature extremes. It can be incredibly uncomfortable.
- Quick Tip: You can use a small amount of dental cement (available at pharmacies like the CVS on Foothill Blvd) or sugar-free gum to temporarily cover the tooth until your appointment.
[Link] -> (/lost-dental-crown-filling/)
5. Emergency Tooth Extractions
While our primary goal is always to save your natural tooth, sometimes an extraction is the best way to stop the pain and protect your oral health.
- When is it needed? If a tooth is fractured below the gumline or severely decayed beyond repair.
- Comfort First: We offer sedation options to ensure your extraction is as stress-free as possible.
[Link] -> (/emergency-tooth-extraction/)
Why Choose Higher Ground for Emergency
When you are in pain, you need a partner who is both capable and available. Here is why Upland families trust Dr. Vikas Sikka with their urgent care needs:
- True Weekend Availability: Many dental offices claim to offer emergency services but route you to a voicemail on Fridays at 2 PM. At Higher Ground Dentistry, we are open on Saturdays and Sundays. We know that dental pain doesn't respect business hours.
- Rapid Relief & Stabilization: We don't just patch you up; we fix the problem. We provide immediate stabilization for broken teeth to stop the pain and protect the structure while your custom restoration is crafted.
- Anxiety-Free Sedation: We understand that fear is a major barrier to seeking help. Whether you need nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation, we have options to help you relax during your emergency procedure.
- Biocompatible Materials: Even in an emergency, we never compromise on quality. We use mercury-free, biocompatible materials that are safe for your body and look natural.
Emergency Dentist vs Emergency Room
It is a common dilemma: "My tooth hurts so bad I can't see straight. Should I go to the ER?"
While hospitals like San Antonio Regional Hospital are incredible for medical trauma, they are generally not equipped to treat dental issues. Most ERs do not have a dentist on staff.
- True Weekend Availability: Many dental offices claim to offer emergency services but route you to a voicemail on Fridays at 2 PM. At Higher Ground Dentistry, we are open on Saturdays and Sundays. We know that dental pain doesn't respect business hours.
- Rapid Relief & Stabilization: We don't just patch you up; we fix the problem. We provide immediate stabilization for broken teeth to stop the pain and protect the structure while your custom restoration is crafted.
- Anxiety-Free Sedation: We understand that fear is a major barrier to seeking help. Whether you need nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation, we have options to help you relax during your emergency procedure.
- Biocompatible Materials: Even in an emergency, we never compromise on quality. We use mercury-free, biocompatible materials that are safe for your body and look natural.
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Go to the Emergency Room (ER) If: |
Come to Higher Ground Dentistry If: |
|
You have a fractured jaw or head trauma. |
You have a severe toothache or abscess. |
|
You have severe facial lacerations. |
You have a knocked-out or broken tooth. |
|
Swelling is compromising your breathing/swallowing. |
You have lost a crown or filling. |
|
You have uncontrollable bleeding. |
You have bleeding gums or loose teeth. |
The Reality: If you go to the ER for a toothache, you will likely wait for hours, receive a prescription for antibiotics or painkillers, and be referred to a dentist anyway. Coming directly to us saves you time, money, and gets you the definitive treatment you need immediately.