Emergency Dentist in Indianapolis: Same-Day Care When You Need It Most

Dr. Ted K. Brauer and the team at Brauer Family Dentistry treat urgent dental emergencies for patients across Indianapolis, Castleton, Fishers, Carmel & Noblesville

A dental emergency is scary, painful, and always happens at the worst possible time. If you're in pain right now, call us at 317-585-0005 — we hold same-day emergency slots specifically for urgent cases, and we prioritize getting you out of pain first, answering your questions second.

Brauer Family Dentistry is a trusted emergency dentist in Indianapolis, serving patients from Castleton, Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, and surrounding areas since 2003. Dr. Brauer treats the full range of dental emergencies — from knocked-out teeth and dental abscesses to broken crowns and lost fillings — with advanced imaging, in-house sedation options, and a calm, no-panic approach.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Not every dental problem needs immediate care — but some absolutely do. Call our office right away if you're experiencing any of the following:

Call now — true emergencies:

• Severe, persistent tooth pain that won't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth — every minute matters
• Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth or gums
• Facial or jaw swelling, especially near the eye or along the jawline
• A dental abscess or visible gum infection
• A broken or cracked tooth causing pain
• A tooth knocked loose by trauma or impact

Call during business hours — urgent but not immediate:

• A lost filling or broken crown with mild sensitivity
• A chipped tooth without pain
• A broken dental appliance (aligner, retainer, denture)
• Mild-to-moderate tooth sensitivity that's new
• A small mouth sore lasting more than two weeks

When to go to the ER instead: If you're dealing with uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, a jaw fracture, or severe trauma to the face, go directly to the nearest emergency room. ER staff will stabilize the immediate medical issue, then refer you to a dentist for follow-up treatment.

First Aid: What to Do Before You Get to Our Office

While you're on your way to our office or waiting for your appointment, here's what to do for the most common dental emergencies:

Knocked-out tooth

Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), NOT the root. Rinse it gently with water if it's dirty — do not scrub. If possible, place it back in the socket and hold it there. If that's not possible, keep it in a cup of milk (or your saliva) and get to our office within 30-60 minutes. A tooth reinserted within an hour has the best chance of being saved.

Severe toothache

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Gently floss around the painful tooth to remove any trapped food. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) can help with pain — do not place aspirin directly on the gum tissue, as it can cause chemical burns.

Broken or chipped tooth

Save any pieces of the tooth and bring them with you. Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there's bleeding, apply gauze with light pressure for 10 minutes. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until we can see you.

Dental abscess

An abscess is a serious infection that requires prompt care — do not ignore it. Rinse with a mild salt-water solution several times a day. Do not attempt to drain the abscess yourself. Call us immediately; if you can't reach us and you're experiencing facial swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing, go to the ER.

Lost filling or broken crown

Save the crown if it came off in one piece. You can use sugar-free gum or over-the-counter dental cement as a short-term placeholder. Don't use super glue or household adhesives. Call us — this is usually a next-day fix, not a middle-of-the-night crisis.

Emergency Dental Care at Brauer Family Dentistry

When you arrive for an emergency appointment, here's how we'll handle it:

Step 1: Pain relief first. Before any treatment decisions, we address your immediate discomfort with local anesthetic, nitrous oxide, or oral sedation if needed.

Step 2: Rapid diagnosis. We use digital X-rays and 3D CT scanning to quickly identify what's going on — including hidden fractures, root damage, or infections that aren't visible from the outside.

Step 3: Treatment plan on the spot. Dr. Brauer will walk you through exactly what's happening, what your options are, and what the cost will be before any procedure begins.

Step 4: Same-day treatment whenever possible. Most emergencies — extractions, root canals, tooth repair, temporary crowns — can be resolved in a single visit. For complex cases, we'll stabilize you the same day and schedule definitive treatment soon after.

A note on comfort: Many emergency patients are anxious before they arrive — and that's completely normal. We offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation for patients who need extra help staying calm during treatment. Just let us know when you call.

Our Emergency Availability

Brauer Family Dentistry is open Monday through Friday, with select early-morning Friday slots. We hold same-day emergency appointments during all business hours.

Office hours:

• Monday: 8 AM – 2 PM
• Tuesday: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Wednesday & Thursday: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Select Fridays: 7 AM – 1 PM
• Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Call 317-585-0005 — if you reach us during business hours, we will do everything we can to see you the same day. If you're calling outside business hours and your emergency cannot wait until our next open day, please go to your nearest emergency room for immediate care.

Our location: 5625 Castle Creek Parkway North, Indianapolis, IN 46250 — convenient to Castleton, Fishers, Carmel, Geist, and Noblesville.

Why Indianapolis Patients Trust Us in a Dental Emergency

• 20+ years of emergency experience — Dr. Brauer has been treating dental emergencies in Indianapolis since 2003.
• In-house imaging, no outside referrals needed — 3D CT scanning and digital X-rays in our office mean faster diagnosis and fewer trips.
• Same-day treatment for most emergencies — extractions, root canals, temporary crowns, and tooth repair all handled in one visit when possible.
• Sedation options available — nitrous oxide and oral sedation for patients with anxiety or more complex emergency cases.
• Emergency exam fee waived with same-day treatment — if Dr. Brauer performs definitive treatment the same day as your emergency exam, the exam fee is waived (per our patient info policy).
• We know our patients — many of our emergency patients are existing families we've treated for years; we have your history on file and can move fast.

Emergency Dentistry — Frequently Asked Questions

Do you see emergency patients the same day? 

Yes. We reserve same-day slots specifically for dental emergencies during all business hours. If you call us in pain, we'll do everything we can to get you in that same day. Call 317-585-0005 as early in the day as possible for the best chance of a same-day appointment.

Are you open 24 hours or on weekends for emergencies? 

No. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, with select early-morning Friday appointments. If you have a true emergency outside our business hours — especially one involving uncontrolled bleeding, severe swelling, or difficulty breathing — go to your nearest emergency room for immediate care.

How much does an emergency dental visit cost? 

Emergency exam fees vary based on the complexity of your case and any imaging needed. At Brauer Family Dentistry, if Dr. Brauer is able to complete definitive treatment the same day as your emergency exam, the exam fee is waived. Our team will be transparent about costs before any procedure begins.

What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out? 

Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse gently if dirty, and try to place it back in the socket. If that's not possible, store it in a cup of milk or your saliva and call us immediately. A tooth reinserted within 30-60 minutes has the best chance of being saved.

Is a toothache always a dental emergency? 

Not always. A mild, occasional ache can usually wait a day or two for a regular appointment. But a severe, persistent toothache — especially one that wakes you up at night, doesn't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, or comes with swelling or fever — is an emergency and needs prompt care to rule out infection or abscess.

What's the difference between a dental emergency and going to the ER? 

The ER is the right choice for uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe facial trauma, or jaw fractures. A dental office is the right choice for everything else — severe toothaches, knocked-out teeth, abscesses, broken teeth, and lost restorations. ER staff can stabilize immediate medical issues, but they typically cannot perform definitive dental treatment.

Do you treat dental emergencies for children? 

Yes. Dr. Brauer treats pediatric dental emergencies as part of our family dentistry practice, including knocked-out baby and permanent teeth, dental trauma from sports or falls, and pediatric abscesses.

Can I go to Brauer Family Dentistry for an emergency if I'm not a current patient? 

Yes. We accept new patients for emergency appointments. We'll gather your dental history over the phone and send you any paperwork to complete before you arrive, so we can move quickly once you're in the office.

Will you treat a dental abscess the same day? 

In most cases, yes. A dental abscess is a serious infection that shouldn't wait. We'll typically drain the infection, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and schedule definitive treatment (root canal or extraction) within days. Do not ignore an abscess — untreated infections can become medically dangerous.

Do you offer sedation for anxious emergency patients? 

Yes. We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation for patients who need extra help staying calm during emergency treatment. Let us know when you call so we can have it ready for your visit.

In pain? Don't wait.

Call us now at 317-585-0005. If you reach us during business hours, we'll do everything we can to see you the same day. If we're closed and your emergency can't wait, please head to your nearest emergency room.