When a toothache strikes at 8 AM or a crown pops off during dinner, you don’t want guesswork — you want help! Fortunately, Signature Smiles of LA is an emergency dentist in Encino, and we’re ready to get you comfortable fast, diagnose the issue clearly, and map out a plan you can trust. We keep space open every weekday for same-day and urgent appointments, because tooth trouble never checks your calendar first.
We handle just about everything you could throw at us: sharp toothaches, cracked or broken teeth, a tooth knocked out during a fall, infections and abscesses, lost fillings or crowns, gum swelling, or lingering pain after a procedure. Not sure if it counts as an emergency? Call us. Pain, swelling, fever, or a sudden change in how your teeth fit together are all signs you should be seen right away.
When to Call — And What to Do First
If a tooth gets knocked out, hold it by the top (the crown), not the root. Give it a quick, gentle rinse and try to slip it back into the socket. Bite down softly on clean gauze to keep it in place. Can't reinsert it? Keep it wet in milk or a tooth-preservation kit and come straight in. The sooner you’re seen (ideally within an hour), the better the chances of saving it.
For a bad toothache, a cold compress on the cheek and OTC pain relievers as directed can take the edge off until you arrive. Skip placing aspirin directly on the gum; it can burn and irritate the tissue.
If a crown or filling pops out, keep the area clean and bring the crown with you. A dab of temporary dental cement (from a pharmacy) can help for the drive, but it’s only a stopgap. And whatever you do, don’t use super glue!
Not every emergency looks the same. Sharp pain on bite often hints at a cracked tooth. Throbbing pain with swollen gums can point to an abscess. A rough, jagged edge from a broken filling may rub your tongue raw. Whatever you’re dealing with, our priorities are simple: get you comfortable, stop things from getting worse, and protect your smile.
Same-Day Care and Clear Answers
When you come in for an urgent visit, our first job is to get you comfortable. We move quickly on pain and swelling, but we never rush you through decisions. We’ll take a focused look — often with a small digital X-ray — to see what’s really going on. Then, we’ll talk through next steps in plain English. No hard sell. No surprise fees.
Depending on what we find, we might:
-
Tame an infection (drainage and antibiotics) and map out a root canal to save the tooth.
-
Smooth and seal a small crack or place a protective temporary crown so you can chew without worry.
-
Reseat a crown if the fit is still good — or replace it when it’s past its prime.
-
Clean out deep decay, place a new filling, or consider an inlay/onlay for extra strength.
-
Gently remove a tooth that can’t be saved and go over replacements like implants, bridges, or a partial.
-
Provide desensitizing or other palliative care if you need relief before definitive treatment.
Emergencies don’t happen in a vacuum, so we tap into the full range of care we offer — restorative dentistry, root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, cosmetic bonding or veneers, custom night guards for clenching, and long-term solutions like implants and bridges. And if dental anxiety has kept you away, tell us. We’ll slow things down, offer comfort options, and take a step-by-step approach that keeps you in control.
Prevent the Late-Night Toothache
Once you’re out of pain, we help you stay that way. Little problems turn into big dental headaches when life gets busy, so we keep prevention practical.
If you clench or grind, we can fit a custom night guard to protect your enamel and any crowns or fillings. Cavity-prone? We’ll tailor checkups to your risk level, add the right fluoride (varnish, rinse, or toothpaste), and suggest a couple of easy snack-and-sip swaps — not a full diet overhaul. And if you’ve had a root canal or a large filling, that tooth is a little more brittle; placing a crown at the right time can keep it from cracking when you least expect it.
We also keep communication easy. Transparent treatment plans, itemized estimates, and coordination with most insurance plans help you make decisions without added stress. Need to spread payments out? Ask about our financing options to make urgent care more accessible.
A dental emergency can derail your day, but it doesn’t have to define your whole week. If you’re looking for an emergency dentist in Encino, Signature Smiles of LA is here.
Give us a call today at (310) 494-7502 or book your appointment online. A more confident smile is just one visit away.