Emergency Dentist in Chicago
Severe pain or a damaged tooth? We offer same-day appointments to get you out of pain fast.
Emergency Dental Care
A dental emergency does not wait for a convenient time. Whether you have knocked out a tooth, cracked a filling, or woken up with severe pain, Big City Dental, your emergency dentist in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, is here to help. We reserve same-day appointment slots for urgent cases so you are never left waiting when it matters most.
Emergency dental care covers any situation that requires prompt attention to relieve pain, stop bleeding, address infection, or save a tooth. Acting quickly can mean the difference between a simple repair and a much more involved treatment later.
Why Patients Trust Big City Dental in an Emergency
Same-Day Appointments Available
We keep time in our schedule for urgent dental needs. Call us and we will do everything we can to get you in the same day.
Fast, Effective Pain Relief
Our first priority is getting you out of pain. Dr. Nilay acts quickly to diagnose the issue and provide immediate treatment that addresses the source of your discomfort.
On-the-Spot Diagnosis with Digital Imaging
We use in-office digital X-rays to get a clear picture of what is happening fast. No waiting on outside referrals or delayed results.
Treatment and Next Steps in One Visit
Wherever possible, we treat the emergency and outline your full care plan in the same appointment. Less back-and-forth means faster recovery.
A Calm, No-Judgment Environment
Dental emergencies are stressful. Our team is trained to keep the experience as calm as possible from the moment you walk in.
Care You Can Afford
Emergency care is available to patients with or without insurance. Our in-house savings plan and Cherry financing make treatment accessible regardless of your coverage.
Our Emergency Services
Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is badly damaged, infected, or causing severe pain, an emergency extraction may be the safest way to protect your oral health. Our team focuses on keeping you comfortable while removing the source of the problem as gently as possible. After treatment, we can also discuss replacement options to help restore your smile and bite.
Same-Day Implants
In some urgent situations, a same-day implant may be an option after a tooth is removed. This approach can help replace the missing tooth root right away, supporting a more stable and natural-looking restoration plan. During your emergency visit, we will evaluate your bone health, infection risk, and overall needs to determine whether same-day implants are appropriate.
Desensitizers
Sudden tooth sensitivity can make eating, drinking, and daily routines uncomfortable. Emergency desensitizer treatments can help calm exposed or irritated areas of the teeth and provide relief from sharp sensitivity. We will also check for underlying causes, such as enamel wear, gum recession, cracks, or cavities, so your sensitivity is treated at the source.
What Happens When You Come In for Emergency Care
Step 1 — Call Us First
Contact Big City Dental as soon as possible. Describe what is happening and we will advise you on immediate steps to take while we get you scheduled for a same-day or next-available visit.
Step 2 — Prompt Check-In and Triage
When you arrive, we get you seen quickly. There is no long wait in a lobby when you are in pain. Our team prioritizes urgent cases and moves efficiently from the moment you walk in.
Step 3 — Exam and Imaging
Dr. Patel performs a focused exam and takes any necessary digital X-rays to identify the problem accurately before recommending a course of action.
Step 4 — Immediate Treatment
Once we understand what we are dealing with, we get to work. This may include a temporary or permanent filling, extraction, prescription for infection, or another appropriate intervention based on your specific situation.
Step 5 — Follow-Up Plan
Before you leave, we walk you through what comes next. If additional treatment is needed after the emergency is resolved, we schedule that visit and make sure you leave with clear post-care instructions.
Common Questions
FAQ's
What counts as a dental emergency?
Any situation involving significant pain, visible damage to a tooth, signs of infection (swelling, fever, bad taste), or a knocked-out tooth should be treated as an emergency. When in doubt, call us. We would always rather you reach out than wait.
What should I do if a tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root, and rinse it gently without scrubbing. If possible, try to place it back in the socket or keep it in a small container of milk. Call us immediately. Acting within 30 to 60 minutes gives us the best chance of saving the tooth.
Do you have emergency hours?
Call our office directly to check same-day availability. We make every effort to accommodate urgent cases within our current schedule. If you reach us outside of office hours, follow the instructions on our voicemail for guidance on next steps.
Can I come in even if I am not an existing patient?
Yes. Big City Dental accepts new patients for emergency appointments. We will handle your intake quickly so we can focus on getting you out of pain.
Will emergency dental care be expensive?
Emergency treatment costs vary depending on what is needed. We review all costs with you before beginning any treatment. We accept Cherry financing, offer flexible payment plans, and our in-house savings plan provides 15% off all procedures for patients without insurance.
Happy Patients
What Our Patients Say
Our patients come from across Chicago’s Northside neighborhoods. Here’s what they’re saying about their experience at Big City Dental.
4.8 out of 5 on Google160+ reviews
I've been going to this practice for over 30 years, and my long-time dentist finally retired a few months ago. I'm very happy to report that the new dentist who has taken over is a very sociable, knowledgeable, and trustworthy person. I'll be happy to continue going here for another 30 years!
Tom T.Google review · I can’t say enough good things about this dental office. From the moment you walk in, everyone is kind, welcoming, and professional. The dentist truly takes the time to explain everything, answer questions, and make sure you’re comfortable throughout the entire visit. I always feel like I’m in great hands and that they genuinely care about doing excellent work—not rushing or cutting corners. The quality of care is consistently wonderful, and I leave every appointment feeling confident and well taken care of. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a dentist they can truly trust!
Elli B.Google review · Been a patient here for years, and every time I leave, I swear I’m going to floss every day… it lasts about a week, but they never judge me! The hygienists are gentle, esp Abby. Dr. Nilay is awesome, and they somehow make dental cleanings almost enjoyable. Highly recommend this crew!
Megan L.Google review · Big City Dental was clean, efficient, and friendly. I will be requesting Abby every time I go now!
Patrick L.Google review · I would definitely recommend Big City Dental to everyone that I know. My Hygienist Ashley was very efficient and thorough and my teeth especially clean. I was totally impressed. I will definitely recommend Ashley to all my family and friends.
mark D.Google review · Big City Dental is by far the best Dental Office that l have ever been to. The front office staff is very friendly and efficient. Ashley, the hygienist was excellent! The cleaning that I received was very thorough and comprehensive. Ashley took time to answer all my questions and reassured me regarding all my dental concerns. Ashley was the best hygienist that I have ever seen!
Amy D.Google review · I’m always nervous going to the dentist because I don’t always take good care of myself. Serena and Racquel helped me feel welcome, Will be coming back soon for another visit!
amazinggurl4lifeGoogle review · I highly recommend, Racquel & Sarina made me feel welcomed! They explained everything I needed to know with kindness & compassion. They were both so patient and helped easy my anxiety.The office was nice & very clean. I highly recommend this office.
Venus R.Google review · I highly recommend Big City Dental! The office is very clean & lovely. The staff is professional and kind. Racquel & Sarina made my experience pleasant. They set the energy of the office with quality care & compassion. Thank You!
Sophia R.Google review · I had such a wonderful experience with Raquel and Serena. They were incredibly kind, patient, and professional from start to finish. Their calming personalities and friendly attitudes made the entire visit so much more comfortable. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I felt at ease throughout the appointment. You can truly tell they care about their patients. Thank you, Raquel and Serena, for providing such exceptional care—your teamwork and positivity make all the difference! 🌟🦷
Jeanine P.Google review · Amazing establishment shout out Raquel for the amazing service
Bridget W.Google review · It feels good to come to a dental establishment that you can trust, Raquel went above and beyond to make my experience great. Thank you 🙏🏻
Kyle W.Google review ·
A selection of recent 4 and 5 star Google reviews. The rating reflects all reviews.
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Big City Dental on Southport Ave is accepting new patients. Whether you’re due for a cleaning or ready to transform your smile, Dr. Nilay and the team are here to make it easy!