Emergency Dentist in Louisville — Same-Day Appointments

Broken tooth? Severe pain? Lost filling? Knocked-out tooth? Call us now. Advanced Dental Center holds same-day emergency appointments at all four open Louisville locations every weekday — and walk-ins are welcome.

Need to be seen TODAY? Call the location closest to you. If you can’t wait, walk in — we’ll see you as soon as possible.

What counts as a dental emergency?

If you’re not sure whether your situation is an emergency, the rule of thumb is: if it hurts, won’t stop bleeding, or you’re missing a tooth, call us today. Common dental emergencies we treat same-day:

• Severe tooth pain that won’t go away with over-the-counter pain relievers
• Knocked-out tooth (we can sometimes re-implant if you get to us within 30-60 minutes)
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth — especially if it’s sharp or exposing nerve
• Lost filling or crown that’s now leaving the tooth exposed
• Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw — could indicate infection that needs immediate care
• Bleeding that won’t stop after 15 minutes of gentle pressure
• Abscess — pus-filled pocket near a tooth, often with throbbing pain
• Object stuck between teeth that you can’t dislodge with floss
• Broken denture, retainer, or appliance that’s affecting your ability to eat or speak
• Post-procedure complications (excessive bleeding, severe pain, swelling) from recent dental work

Not an emergency: mild sensitivity, a chip that doesn’t hurt, a wisdom tooth question, routine check-up overdue, cosmetic concerns. Those are appointments we’d love to schedule — just not same-day.

What we can do for you today

Most dental emergencies fall into one of three categories, and we have the equipment and expertise on-site to handle all three:

4 Louisville-area locations open for emergencies

Whichever ADC location is closest, that’s the one to call. Same-day emergency slots are held open every weekday at all four open locations.

How much does an emergency dental visit cost?

Cost depends on what the emergency is and what treatment you need at the visit. A typical breakdown:

• Emergency exam + diagnostic X-ray: $59, typically covered by insurance
• Pain relief only (no procedure): limited to the exam fee above
• Simple filling: starts at $25, depending on tooth, surface, and insurance
• Tooth extraction (simple): $55-250
• Tooth extraction (surgical): ~$350-700
• Crown for cracked tooth: ~$1,000-1,500 (often a 2-visit process; emergency visit places temporary)
• Root canal: ~$800-1,500 (often a follow-up to the emergency visit)
• Abscess treatment + antibiotics: ~$100-300 same-visit

We accept most major insurance (Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife) and verify your benefits before treatment. Don’t have insurance? We offer an in-house dental membership plan + flexible financing through Cherry and in-house payment plans for larger treatments.

If cost is the only thing keeping you from being seen, call us anyway. We’ll work out a plan.

What to do BEFORE you get to us

While you’re on the way to our office, here’s what to do depending on the type of emergency:

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown (chewing surface), NOT the root. Gently rinse with cool water if dirty — don’t scrub. If possible, place it back in the socket and hold it gently in place with a clean cloth. If you can’t reinsert it, store it in a small container of milk (best) or saliva (next best). Time matters — get to us within 30-60 minutes for best chance of reimplantation.

Severe pain

Take ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) — works better than acetaminophen for dental pain because it reduces inflammation. Cold compress on the outside of your cheek for 15 minutes on, 15 off. Avoid extreme hot or cold drinks. Don’t put aspirin directly on the gums (that’s a myth — it causes a chemical burn).

Broken or chipped tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Save any tooth fragments in a clean container if you have them. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze for 10 minutes. Cover any sharp edges with a small piece of orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum (to protect your tongue/cheek) until you reach us.

Swelling (possible abscess)

Cold compress on the outside of the cheek. Don’t apply heat to the area — heat can spread the infection. Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8oz warm water) every few hours. Take ibuprofen for pain. If swelling is spreading to your eye, throat, or affecting your breathing, go to the ER first — that’s a medical emergency, not just dental.

Lost crown or filling

If you have the crown, rinse it and store it in a small container. You can temporarily re-cement a fallen-out crown using over-the-counter dental cement from a drugstore. For a lost filling, fill the hole with sugar-free gum or pharmacy-grade dental wax until we can see you. Avoid chewing on that side.

What Louisville patients say about ADC emergencies

I was in a lot of pain. The staff was very helpful and I was seen almost immediately after arriving. The office is modern, bright and clean. The doctor was knowledgeable and careful. Highly recommend.

Kathryn W., Advanced Dental Center patient — same-day emergency visit

GREAT, informative, helpful group of people — from the front desk staff to the dental assistant, to the dentist! I could tell they each actually cared. Even fit me in for tooth pain when I was not yet an established patient.

Patricia Bardin, Google review (6 months ago) ★★★★★ — Middletown

I’m so happy to find Advanced Dental Center! Every person I encountered was caring and comforting. The Doctor was personable and sympathetic to my fears.

Sharon Morgan, Google review (3 months ago) ★★★★★ — St. Matthews

Frequently asked questions about dental emergencies

Can I show up without an appointment?

Yes — walk-ins are welcome for true emergencies. We’ll see you as soon as possible based on the schedule that day. Calling ahead is always faster though, because we can prepare the right equipment and have the dentist ready for you when you arrive.

How fast can I be seen?

Most emergency patients are seen within 30 minutes to 2 hours of calling. For severe pain or bleeding, we’ll fit you in same-day at the next available slot. We hold dedicated emergency slots open every weekday at all four open locations.

What if it’s after hours, on a weekend, or a holiday?

Call the location closest to you anyway — our phone lines include after-hours instructions for true dental emergencies. For life-threatening situations (uncontrolled bleeding, swelling affecting breathing, head trauma), go to the ER first.

What does an emergency dental visit cost?

The emergency exam + diagnostic X-ray is typically $100-200 and covered by most insurance. Treatment costs depend on what you need (filling, extraction, crown, root canal). We verify insurance benefits before treatment and offer in-house financing if cost is a concern.

Will my insurance cover an emergency visit?

Yes — virtually all dental insurance plans cover emergency exams and most emergency procedures. We accept Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, MetLife, and most other PPO networks. We verify your specific benefits before treatment so there are no surprises.

What if I have a knocked-out tooth?

Pick the tooth up by the crown (NOT the root). Rinse gently with water if dirty. If possible, place it back in the socket. If not, store it in milk. Time is critical — get to us within 30-60 minutes for the best chance of reimplantation. Call ahead so we’re ready.

What if I’m in severe pain right now?

Take ibuprofen (works better than acetaminophen for dental pain because it’s anti-inflammatory). Cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Avoid hot or cold drinks. Call us — we’ll get you in same-day for evaluation and immediate pain relief.

Can I get sedation for an emergency procedure?

Yes, we offer oral sedation for patients with dental anxiety. Mention this when you call so we can prepare. Note: with oral sedation you’ll need someone to drive you home afterward.

Will you treat me as a new patient in an emergency?

Yes — you don’t need to be an established patient. Walk-in or call-ahead emergencies are seen regardless of whether you’ve been to ADC before. We’ll do new-patient paperwork at the visit (or you can fill it out online beforehand to save time).

What’s NOT a dental emergency?

Mild sensitivity, a small chip with no pain, a wisdom tooth question, an overdue cleaning, cosmetic concerns, a routine check-up — those are appointments we’d love to schedule, but not same-day. Call us to book at a normal appointment time.

Find the nearest ADC emergency location

Don’t wait. Call now.

Dental emergencies get worse the longer you wait. A small crack becomes a broken tooth. An ache becomes an infection. A knocked-out tooth that could have been saved can’t be after a few hours.

Call the location closest to you — or walk in if you can’t wait:

• Preston Highway: (502) 966-4367
• St. Matthews: (502) 208-1516
• Middletown: (502) 245-5620
• Brooks Hill: (502) 955-1084