Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency can be stressful, painful, and overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or an infection, Dr. Evon and our team are here to help—quickly, calmly, and with a personal touch.

Seeking prompt treatment can not only help alleviate the pain but also prevent the infection from spreading through the rest of the body. Trust a dentist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Please call Three Rivers Dental in Columbia Falls so we can schedule an immediate appointment for you.

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Immediate Care When You Need It

Dr. Heaser understands that dental emergencies can be nerve-wracking. That is why she takes on emergency dental visits. You won’t have to wait weeks to be treated—and in some cases, we can see you the day of.

Our compassionate team in the Flathead Valley sees you quickly and helps you feel relaxed at our office. We put you at ease the moment you enter our office. If you are struggling with dental anxiety, we offer sedation dentistry so we can effectively and comfortably treat your dental emergency in Columbia Falls.

Identifying Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are concerns that greatly impede your everyday life. Whenever you are not sure whether you are dealing with a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to ask our office for assistance.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to protecting your oral health. With this in mind, here are some symptoms that suggest immediate treatment, and treatments we may suggest.

This is one of the most serious dental emergencies. Tooth loss can occur from dental trauma or from dental disease that has caused severe decay or gum disease. If you lose a tooth, keep the tooth and handle it from the crown instead of the root.


Treatments include dental implants or dental bridges, depending on your situation. Dr. Heaser may be able to place the tooth back in your mouth if you can come in quickly.

Broken teeth can look like a tooth that has been broken in half, or just a hairline crack. Even if it doesn’t look serious, it deserves a look because broken teeth can quickly spark infection around your jawline. Be sure to address tooth damage as soon as possible.

Treatments include crowns, veneers, or dental bonding, depending on the severity of the break. If the tooth becomes infected, we may have to perform a root canal before we can treat the cosmetic and functional issues that a broken tooth brings up.

Broken tooth restorations, such as a crown or bridge, require similar assistance to damaged natural teeth. Receive immediate help from Dr. Evon.

Treatments include replacing or repairing your broken restoration. We will also treat the root of the damage, whether that be trauma or dental infection.

Tooth or gum swelling is a common sign of severe infection. It is often connected to an infected root canal or infected gums. Look out for discoloration, a bump, or an area that is leaking clear or white liquid.

Treatments include either a root canal treatment that can quickly address these issues while salvaging your smile or periodontal care.

A severe toothache that makes it difficult to function can signal infection or dental damage. Call Dr. Evon right away to address this issue.

Treatments include root canals, antibacterial treatment, or removing an irritant in your mouth if the toothache is caused by something lodged in your gums.

Occasionally, food or something else can get lodged in between your teeth. If floss is unable to loosen it, don’t leave it to irritate you.

Treatment is most often simple. Dr. Heaser can use her special dental tools to remove the irritant. She may recommend a special mouthwash or oral health routine to help the area heal quickly.

Advanced Training for Exceptional Emergency Care

When a dental emergency strikes, you want a dentist with extensive experience and advanced training. Dr. Evon completes over 100 hours of continuing education every year, far exceeding the minimum requirement of 60 hours every three years. Her expertise in restorative and surgical dentistry, dental implants, and advanced treatment techniques ensures that patients receive the highest level of care when they need it most.

Dr. Heaser also takes your whole-body health seriously. She understands that acting promptly can save your body’s health, both emotional and physical.

For emergency dental care backed by experience and precision, call Three Rivers Dental today to schedule a same-day appointment.

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Addressing Dental Emergencies Promptly Is Key

Prompt treatment is usually required to ease the pain and ensure the patient’s overall health. Listed below are some benefits of managing dental complications quickly.

At Three Rivers Dental, we treat our patients like family—not just another appointment on the schedule. If you come in with an emergency, we take the time to explain your options, ease your concerns, and create a personalized plan for your recovery.

You’ll never feel rushed or dismissed—we’re here to listen, support, and provide care that makes you feel confident and comfortable.

Our team is ready to address your oral health needs. If dental emergencies happen, call our office in Columbia Falls, MT, to schedule an appointment.

Your teeth keep each other anchored together. When one tooth fails, it greatly impacts the strength of your jawline, especially the area around the damage. Treatment reduces the chance of excessive strain being placed on your teeth, which can, in turn, cause more damage.

As with other areas of your body, an untreated injury can fester and cause an infection. These infections can become painful and cause significant dental decay.

Neglected dental complications easily spread to other areas of your jawline. This further infection can greatly increase the amount of dental work that needs to be done later in life. Invest in your long-term care by addressing dental emergencies right when they happen.

Your teeth are the cornerstone to maintaining your general health. When your teeth fail to provide support, it can make it more difficult to maintain healthy habits. 

Dental infection can additionally weaken your body’s immune system, making it more difficult to fight off general infections and disease.

Dental Emergencies Success Stories

One patient came in for emergency treatment after fracturing her tooth the night before. She was in quite a bit of discomfort, hot and cold sensitivity and her tooth was irritating her lips. 

Dr. Evon was able to treat her on her day off and allow the patient to return to work that day. We bonded and built the tooth back up in the chair to make the tooth match the tooth right next to it for shape, color, and size. Our patient was happy with her results and her tooth sensitivity went away!

Helping You Feel At Ease

Dental emergencies can be frightening and can even exacerbate dental anxieties. We want your visits to Three Rivers Dental to be calming, even during a sudden visit. There are many ways we do this, from Dr. Heaser’s advanced training to our friendly bedside manner. One key way we can help you relax is through sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry, especially laughing gas, can be administered upon your arrival at our office. Laughing gas, also called nitrous oxide, is a gas administered through a mask over your nose. It helps you feel relaxed and even a bit sleepy without putting you to sleep. You will still be able to talk to Dr. Heaser, her team, and anyone who accompanies you to the office.

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Advanced Technology for Faster, More Precise Emergency Care

At Three Rivers Dental in Flathead County, we believe that the right tools make a real difference, especially when it comes to dental emergencies. Dr. Heaser has invested in leading-edge technology that allows us to diagnose and treat urgent dental issues more accurately and comfortably than ever before. Here’s how our technology supports you when you need care the most:

  • CBCT Imaging (Cone Beam CT): Our Kavo CBCT scanner creates 3D images of your teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures, giving us a complete view in seconds. This is especially important for diagnosing infections, cracks, impacted teeth, or bone damage that standard X-rays might miss.
  • Asiga 3D Printing: With our in-office 3D printer, we can create precise temporary crowns, bridges, or even dentures quickly. This allows us to restore your smile the same day in many emergency situations, minimizing the time spent without a functional tooth.
  • IOS-Trios and Medit Intraoral Scanners: These high-resolution scanners replace traditional impressions with quick, comfortable digital scans. They capture exact images of your teeth, which are ideal for designing emergency restorations or evaluating potential damage.

By combining these technologies, Dr. Heaser can provide fast, informed treatment decisions and reduce the number of visits needed to complete your care.

What Happens if You Don’t Treat a Dental Emergency?

When dental emergencies are left untreated, small issues can quickly escalate into serious complications that affect not only your oral health but your overall well-being. Ignoring pain or swelling doesn’t make it go away. Instead, it gives the problem time to worsen, often leading to more extensive treatment and higher long-term costs.

A minor toothache or gum swelling might be a sign of infection. If left untreated, that infection can spread to surrounding teeth, your jawbone, or even into the bloodstream. This can compromise your immune system and increase the risk of systemic health issues.

Damage that might be repaired with a crown or filling today could require extraction tomorrow. Teeth that are cracked or loose can deteriorate quickly without support, leading to preventable tooth loss and more complex restorative treatment.

Ongoing pain and sensitivity can interfere with eating, speaking, and even sleeping. Patients who delay treatment often find themselves avoiding certain foods or social situations, affecting their confidence and daily comfort.

Many dental issues do not resolve on their own. In fact, what feels like a mild nuisance today may mask deeper issues beneath the surface. Timely care helps preserve your teeth, avoid complications, and maintain your health.

Treating a Dental Emergency at Home

If you can’t come in immediately for a dental treatment, there are some things you should do at home during a dental emergency.

  • Infection or Swelling: You can use ice packs to reduce swelling, and rinse with salt water.
  • Knocked-Out Tooth: Put the knocked-out tooth back in your gums if possible. If not, place it in milk. Handle it by the crown, not the root.
  • Damaged Tooth: Keep the pieces of your tooth in milk if possible.
  • Broken Tooth Restoration: Keep the restoration with you in a padded bag. You can also place it back with over-the-counter dental cement until you can get help.

Keep in mind that even if you can minimize discomfort at home, you should still visit the dentist promptly.

Reduce the Risk of Dental Emergencies

At Three Rivers Dental, we focus on prevention-first care to keep your teeth strong and healthy, reducing the likelihood of unexpected dental emergencies. By addressing potential issues early, we help prevent small problems from turning into major ones. Here’s how you can protect your smile:

  • Follow a Personalized Preventive Plan: We tailor recommendations to help you maintain strong, healthy teeth and reduce your risk of future issues.
  • Schedule Biannual Dental Appointments: Biannual dental visits give Dr. Evon enough time to spot and treat dental infections and tooth cavities.
  • Use Bite or Night Guards: Patients dealing with bruxism or prone to tooth injuries can benefit from bite or night guards. Ask our team which appliance would work for you.
  • Manage Your Diet: Acidic and hard-to-chew foods can weaken your teeth’s ability to manage daily demands, which can lead to cracked or poor teeth.

Answering Your Emergency Dentistry FAQs

If you’re a patient of record, you can contact our office for after-hours care. We’ll guide you on the best next steps and determine if immediate treatment is needed. If you’re not currently a patient, we’ll do our best to see you the next business day.

Yes, in many cases we can. Dr. Heaser sets aside time in her schedule to treat emergency patients quickly and effectively. If you’re in pain or unsure if your issue is urgent, call our Columbia Falls office—we’re here to help.

It depends on the situation. Some emergencies can be resolved in a single visit, while others may require follow-up care. Dr. Heaser will walk you through all your options, provide temporary relief if needed, and develop a plan that supports both short-term comfort and long-term oral health.

See Our Same-Day Emergency Dentist in Columbia Falls, MT

Even with the best prevention, emergencies can still happen. If you’re experiencing a dental issue that needs urgent attention, call our office in the Flathead Valley today for a same-day appointment and expert care.

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