Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Emergency Dentistry

Yes, we are happy to schedule a same-day emergency visit. 

We will rearrange our schedule so you can be seen on the same day. Call our office at (336) 760-1277 today!

Visit our page on emergency dental treatment to learn more.

Yes, we will see emergency patients who are new to our office. 

We understand how uncomfortable and life-altering dental pain can be. Dr. Nelson is committed to helping all patients in the Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad area. We will see all emergencies, even if you are not patients of record at our office. 

Visit our page on emergency dental treatment to learn more.

Yes, most dental issues don’t become painful until they’re severe. 

Cavities don’t hurt until they are large

Cavities don't hurt until they reach the deepest part of your tooth (the nerve). However, once they reach the nerve, you might need a root canal instead of a simple filling, which could have been done when the cavity was smaller.

Gum disease doesn’t hurt, either

Gum disease typically involves painless destruction of gum and supporting gum structures. Gum disease usually doesn’t hurt until it becomes so severe that your teeth are loose. 

Please visit our page on gum disease to learn more! 

We will give you the best treatment options for your chipped teeth. 

Dr. Nelson will diagnose the type of chip or fracture and advise you on the best treatment options.

 Possible treatment options for cracked or chipped teeth include:

• Smoothing of the chip
• Restoration with a tooth-colored filling or composite
• Crown
• Veneer

Root Canal in Winston Salem

The fee for a root canal depends on the tooth that is being treated.  The cost ranges from $894-$1250.  As always, we will work with your dental insurance to get your maximum benefit and offer interest-free payments to ensure you can afford your treatment.  

Emergency Dentistry in Winston Salem

Your dental insurance should cover emergency dental visits and we will work with your insurance to estimate the out-of-pocket cost.  Most emergency dental visits are $118 consisting of an emergency exam ($84) and dental x-ray ($34).  

A lost filling can leave your tooth prone to further damage, sensitivity, or an infection. So, it is important to contact your dentist for a repair as soon as you can, even if you're not feeling any discomfort. 

Sometimes, when a filling falls out, it can cause discomfort or sensitivity in your tooth. If this is the case, you'll want to seek treatment quickly because it will also provide relief. 

If you're unsure if your condition is an emergency, please contact our team, and we'll assess your condition over the phone to determine if you need immediate attention. Typically, taking care of a broken or lost restoration sooner rather than later is important so you don't experience further damage to your tooth or dental health. 

If It's a Dental Emergency in Winston-Salem, We Can Help!

Some of the common tooth emergencies that Dr. Nelson and his team handle are:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Lost or broken fillings, crowns, or bridges
• Cracked dentures
• Toothaches or infected teeth

Be sure to contact our team right away at (336) 760-1277 if you're struggling with a tooth emergency in Winston-Salem. We will go above and beyond to ensure that you get back on the path to wellness as soon as possible.

Minor injuries from sharp foods like chips, bones, or forks often heal on their own within a couple of days. However, if the wound is deep, continues bleeding after 10-15 minutes of applied pressure, or shows signs of infection—swelling, pus, or worsening pain—you should contact a dentist.

Optimizing Oral Healing

To aid healing, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce bacteria and irritation. Avoid acidic, spicy, or crunchy foods that could worsen the injury. If there’s discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses can help.

If the wound doesn't improve within a few days, or if you develop fever, swelling, or difficulty swallowing, seek professional help. While most minor oral injuries heal on their own, persistent pain, bleeding, or infection risk makes a dental visit worthwhile. When in doubt, your dentist can determine whether you need treatment.

If you accidentally stab your gums or the roof of your mouth while eating, it’s usually not a dental emergency and heals fairly quickly. In some cases, however, these punctures do require some attention.

A Caring and Reliable Emergency Dentist in Winston-Salem, NC

If you’re looking for an experienced emergency dentist in Winston-Salem to ensure that you and your family receive timely, top-quality emergency dental care when you need it most, contact the friendly and helpful Dr. Blake Nelson, DDS team today to schedule an appointment!

Jaw pain or TMD (Temporomandibular disorder) can be caused by issues with the jaw bone, disc, or muscles.

Bone-Related TMD

The temporal bone (the socket part) and the mandible (the ball part) can develop degenerative diseases that are very similar to other joints in the body such as the knee.

• Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative condition caused by use and wear over time. The cartilage which separates the two bones wears away and causes the bones to rub together. This creates inflammation, pain, damage to the bones, and loss of motion.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: The outcomes are similar to osteoarthritis, but instead of wear causing the damage, the joint is attacked by your own body's immune system.
• Post-traumatic osteoarthritis: This can happen rapidly or slowly following a traumatic injury to the lower jaw.

Disc-Related TMD

A normal TMJ joint has a disc of cartilage that separates the two bones of the joint and allows the bones to slide easily against each other. However, the disc can become dislodged, inflamed, or stuck in place.

• Signs and symptoms of disc-related issues include popping, clicking, lockjaw, and pain when opening and closing your jaw.

Muscle-Related TMD

Each side of your face has 4 main muscles that work together to open and close your jaw. They are the temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid and medial pterygoid.

• These muscles can become inflamed, injured, or damaged. 
• Muscle pain is often mistaken for pain in the TMJ itself. It is important to properly diagnose the issue to determine the proper treatment.
• If you have muscle inflammation or damage, opening or closing your mouth can become difficult or painful.
• Muscle issues can also be mistaken for headaches, especially if the headaches are most severe in the mornings.

TMJ Treatment in Winston-Salem

To learn more about TMD/TMJ treatment visit our TMJ Treatment service page.

Facial swelling is often one of the telltale signs of a tooth infection. It's a good idea to see your dentist as soon as possible if you're experiencing swelling. 

Once your tooth has been treated, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help combat the infection, and you should see your swelling start to reduce about 24 to 48 hours later. 

You can also help reduce facial swelling with a cold compress and by taking an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen. Contact your Winston-Salem dentist right away if your swelling is not subsiding.

We're Here When You Need Us Most!  

If you or a loved one is experiencing tooth pain, facial swelling, or a dental emergency, we're here to help! We make every effort to get emergency dental patients into our schedule as soon as possible so we can eliminate their discomfort and restore their smiles. Dr. Nelson provides same-day treatment in emergencies whenever it's possible.  

Call Us If You Have A Tooth Infection

If you think you may have a tooth infection, it's important not to delay seeking treatment because the condition will not resolve on its own. In fact, the decay and bacteria causing your infection can work their way further into your tooth if it's not treated and result in tooth loss.

If you are nervous about your emergency dental needs, you are in the right place!

Our office specializes in treating nervous patients. Dr. Nelson has extensive training in sedation dentistry and can offer services ranging from painless injection techniques, laughing gas, and oral sedation, to IV sedation.  

TMD stands for Temporomandibular Disorder. This term encompasses all of the possible issues that can arise with the structures of these joints. These issues fall into three main categories: bone disorders, disc disorders, and muscle disorders. You may have a combination of issues with multiple parts at the same time. 

Are you having a TMJ-related dental emergency? 

We are passionate about helping. Please don’t hesitate to call (336) 760-1277 to schedule an appointment today.

We will see emergency patients who are new to our office. 

We understand how uncomfortable and life-altering TMJ pain can be. Dr. Nelson is committed to helping all patients in the Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad area. We will see all emergencies, even if you are not patients of record at our office. 

We are happy to schedule a same-day emergency TMJ evaluation. 

We will do our best to rearrange our schedule so you can be seen on the same day that you call.

Save the crown and pieces

If your crown falls out, save the crown or crown pieces. Even if they cannot be put back in, they can assist our office in making a temporary crown.

Schedule with our Winston-Salem office ASAP

Make an appointment as quickly as possible. Teeth can shift in a matter of days which can cause the crown not to fit and require adjustment

We will try to glue your old crown back on

Our office will do everything in our power to recement or rebond the crown back on the tooth. This is the best-case scenario as it is quick and cheap. 

If your old crown is not salvageable, we will make a new one

Sometimes decay is present underneath the crown or the tooth has fractured underneath the crown. In these cases, Dr. Nelson will determine if a new crown has to be fabricated or if the tooth is savable. You will be presented with treatment options and will be able to decide the best course of treatment for you with recommendations from Dr. Nelson