Chipped, broken and knocked-out teeth

A small chip is often bonded the same day. A cracked tooth needs imaging first, because a crack extending below the gum changes the answer entirely. Where a crown is needed it is designed and milled on site in a single visit.

A small chip is often bonded the same day. A crack is different, because one that runs below the gum changes the answer entirely and you cannot see that from above. Worn teeth almost always mean grinding, and restoring them without dealing with that means restoring them again.

During business hours there is no call-out fee. Outside them an attendance fee applies in addition to the cost of treatment, because attending means recalling a dentist and an assistant outside their rostered hours under award conditions, and it is payable before the team is called in. Ring the practice and reception will tell you what applies tonight.

Same-day appointments can often be arranged for urgent problems such as severe toothache or a broken tooth. Ring the practice and we will triage over the phone.

Most dental pain holds overnight with over-the-counter relief taken as directed on the packet. Waiting until morning costs you nothing and is what we recommend for the majority of problems. Pain that is stopping you sleeping is worth ringing about.

Where the problem is infection rather than a broken tooth, a GP or an after-hours medical service can assess you and prescribe if that is appropriate — usually quicker and less costly than calling a dental team in overnight. Facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding needs Rockhampton Base Hospital emergency department.

Difficulty breathing, swelling closing the throat, uncontrolled bleeding or facial trauma is a medical emergency — call 000 or go to Rockhampton Base Hospital emergency department. A broken tooth, lost filling or manageable pain is dental and will usually keep until morning.

Usually yes, and it costs you nothing. Pain that is manageable with over-the-counter relief taken as directed will normally hold overnight, and we will see you first thing. Pain that is stopping you sleeping, or a tooth knocked out, is worth ringing about.