Same-Day Emergency Dental Care in Little Rock
Dental emergencies never seem to happen at a good time. Whether you’re dealing with sudden tooth pain, a broken tooth, swelling, or a lost filling, it’s hard to know what to do next when you’re uncomfortable or stressed.
At Rainwater Drake Dental, we set aside time each day for same-day care. Our team in Little Rock will assess the problem, explain your options, and focus first on getting you comfortable.
If you’re not sure what to do next, call (501) 224-5511. We’ll help you understand what’s happening, explain how to protect your tooth in the meantime, and get you scheduled as quickly as possible. You don’t have to handle it on your own.
According to Dr. Drake,
"When someone comes in for an emergency, the first thing I want them to feel is that they are in good hands. Pain and uncertainty are a tough combination. Our job in those first few minutes is to slow things down, explain what is happening, and help the patient feel steady before anything else. From there, we figure out the best path forward together."
What Matters When You Need Urgent Dental Care
The first thing we focus on when you come in is making sure you're comfortable. Many patients arrive tense and unsure what to expect. That’s completely normal. We slow things down, explain what we're seeing, and make sure you feel steady before anything else happens.
When you’re in pain, you need more than a quick appointment. You need a team that listens, explains what’s happening, and helps you understand the next step.
Our team will guide you through each part of the visit. With over 65 years of combined experience and advanced diagnostic technology, including Cone Beam CT, 3D imaging, and digital bite analysis technology, our doctors can identify what is happening and explain your options in a way that makes sense. This can be especially helpful in cases involving cracked teeth, bite pain, or jaw discomfort where the problem is not always visible right away.
For patients who feel anxious during a dental emergency, we offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation to help you stay calm and comfortable during your visit.
We also understand that cost is often a concern. We accept major insurance plans, offer CareCredit financing, and review costs with you before treatment so you can make an informed decision.
"I had a sudden, unexpected dental problem while traveling cross-country. Despite calling on the day, not being an existing patient, and their seemingly having a pretty booked schedule, they took me in and quickly solved the problem. The whole staff is fantastic. Highly recommend!"
"Dr. Rainwater and his staff are always professional and offer top-notch, high-quality dental care. When I have an emergency, they get me right in! There is nothing more important than a beautiful smile!"
"I had a dental emergency, and they got me in to see Dr. Rainwater. Everyone was kind and professional."
Do You Have a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental issue requires immediate treatment, but some situations should be evaluated as soon as possible. If any of the following sound familiar, give us a call right away so we can help you decide the best next step.
- Severe or persistent tooth pain, especially pain that wakes you up or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter relief
- A knocked-out tooth. Call us immediately. The sooner you reach us, the better our chances of saving it. We'll walk you through exactly what to do while you're on your way.
- A cracked, broken, or chipped tooth with pain, sharp edges, or visible damage near the gumline
- A lost crown or filling, leaving the tooth underneath exposed and vulnerable
- Swelling, pus, or signs of a dental abscess. Infections can spread quickly and should never be ignored
- Any dental injury from an accident, a fall, or an impact to the mouth or jaw
- A loose or partially dislodged adult tooth
- Jaw pain, limited jaw movement, or a locked jaw that came on suddenly or is getting worse
Not sure if your situation qualifies as a dental emergency? Give us a call. We’ll let you know whether you should come in right away or if it can safely wait for a regular appointment.
What to Do for Common Dental Emergencies
If you are dealing with any of the situations below, here are a few quick steps to protect your tooth before you arrive:
- Knocked-out tooth: Hold it by the crown, rinse gently, and keep it in milk or inside your cheek. Call immediately. Timing matters.
- Severe toothache: Rinse with warm water and use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek. Avoid placing anything directly on the gums.
- Broken or chipped tooth: Rinse your mouth and bring any pieces with you. Avoid chewing on that side.
- Lost crown or filling: Keep the area clean and avoid sticky or hard foods until we can see you.
- Swelling or abscess: This can be serious. Call us right away so we can evaluate and treat the infection.
- Jaw pain or TMJ flare-up: Apply a warm compress to the side of your face, avoid hard or chewy foods, and try to rest your jaw. If pain is severe, spreading, or accompanied by swelling, call us right away.
What Happens When You Come In for Emergency Care
Step 1
Comfort Throughout Your Visit
If you are feeling anxious or uncomfortable, nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available to help you stay relaxed. Whatever we can do to make your visit more comfortable, let us know.
Step 2
Evaluation and Imaging
We examine your teeth, gums, and jaw using digital X-rays or Cone Beam CT when needed to get a clear, accurate picture.
Step 3
Clear Explanation of the Problem
We walk you through what we see, explain your options in plain language, and answer any questions before moving forward.
Step 4
Immediate Treatment to Relieve Pain
Whenever possible, we treat the issue the same day, whether that means repairing a tooth, addressing an infection, or stabilizing the area.
Step 5
Plan for Long-Term Care
If additional treatment is needed, we outline the next steps, timeline, and costs clearly so you know exactly what to expect.
Do You Need Same-Day Dental Care in Little Rock?
If you’re in pain or something feels wrong, call us. We’ll help you understand what to do next and whether you need to be seen today.
Who We See for Urgent Dental Care
We welcome patients of all ages, and you don’t need to be an existing patient to come in for a dental emergency.
- Existing patients: We’ll do our best to get you in as quickly as possible.
- New patients in pain: A dental emergency is a valid reason to call, even if you’ve never been to our office before.
- Families with children: Dental injuries and toothaches are treated with the same calm, gentle approach we use for every patient.
- Adults with dental anxiety: Sedation options are available to make urgent care more manageable.
- Patients without insurance: We accept major insurance plans, offer CareCredit financing, and explain your options clearly before treatment.
Honestly, if you're not sure whether to call, just call. We'd much rather talk you through it than have you sit at home wondering.
Meet Our Emergency Dental Team
David Rainwater, DDS
General Dentist, Partner
Dr. Rainwater is a Little Rock native who earned his DDS with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency. With over 14 years in practice, he brings a calm, thorough approach to every visit, especially when patients need care most.
ADA Member AGD Member Implant Specialist Arrowhead Trained
Michael Drake, DDS
General Dentist, Partner
Dr. Drake is a Little Rock native who earned his DDS from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. He's completed 100+ hours of advanced training in occlusion and implant dentistry through Arrowhead Dental Lab and is a certified Invisalign provider. His broad restorative background helps him assess a wide range of urgent dental problems and explain the next step clearly.
ADA Member Invisalign® Certified Cosmetic Expert AGD Member
Sukhmani Scott, DMD
General Dentist
Dr. Scott earned her DMD from the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University and completed a hospital-based general practice residency at UAB. Her residency training prepared her to stay calm and focused under pressure. Her approach with anxious patients is simple: listen first, explain clearly, and help people feel steady when they’re stressed or in pain.
ADA Member AGD Member Family Dentistry Preventive Care
Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Dental Care
What would be considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation involving severe pain, trauma to the teeth or mouth, signs of infection such as swelling, fever, or a pimple on the gums, a knocked-out tooth, or a broken tooth causing sharp pain or sensitivity. When you are unsure, just call us. We are happy to help you figure out whether you need to come in right away.
Can I go to the ER for tooth pain?
An emergency room can address severe infections or injuries that affect your airway, but most ERs are not set up to treat the underlying dental problem. They may offer antibiotics or pain medication as a temporary measure, but you will still need to see a dentist. Calling our office directly gets you faster, more targeted relief.
How quickly can I be seen for a dental emergency?
We offer same-day appointments for urgent dental care. Call (501) 224-5511 as early in the day as possible to reach our team and secure the first available time.
What do I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently with water without scrubbing, and keep it moist in milk, saline, or between your cheek and gum. Then call us immediately. A tooth reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes has the best chance of being saved. We'll walk you through exactly what to do while you're on your way in.
Is a cracked tooth always a dental emergency?
It depends on the crack. A small chip with no pain may be able to wait for a scheduled visit. A crack that reaches the gumline, causes sharp pain when biting, or involves significant tooth loss should be looked at the same day. When in doubt, call us and describe what you are experiencing.
How much does urgent dental care cost in Little Rock?
Cost varies based on the treatment needed. A simple repair looks very different from an extraction or crown. We accept Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross, and Aetna, and offer CareCredit financing for cases where insurance does not cover the full amount. We will always explain your options and out-of-pocket costs clearly before starting any treatment.
Do I need to be an existing patient to be seen for an emergency?
Not at all. We welcome new patients experiencing dental emergencies. If you’re in pain or worried that something is wrong, call us, and we’ll help you figure out the next step.
What if I’m nervous about emergency dental visits?
That's one of the most common things we hear, and it makes complete sense. Pain plus a dental visit is a lot. We offer nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and our team is genuinely used to working with anxious patients. We'll take things one step at a time and explain what's happening before we move forward.
Get Help With a Dental Emergency Today
When something goes wrong with your teeth, it helps to have a dental team that can see you quickly, explain what’s happening, and help you make a clear decision. With over 65 years of combined experience, advanced diagnostic imaging, and sedation options for anxious patients, Rainwater Drake Dental is prepared to handle many urgent dental situations in one office.
- Prompt scheduling for urgent and same-day dental needs
- Cone Beam CT, digital X-rays, and intraoral cameras for fast, accurate diagnosis
- Nitrous oxide and oral sedation available for anxious or pain-sensitive patients
- ADA and AGD members with advanced restorative training
- Doctors with 65+ years of combined experience across general, restorative, and emergency care
- Accepting Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross, and Aetna, with CareCredit financing available
- Located at Sam Peck & Cantrell Road, near Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center
If you’re dealing with tooth pain, swelling, a broken tooth, or another urgent dental concern, give us a call. We’ll help you understand what to do next and get you scheduled as quickly as possible.
Don’t spend another hour in pain, wondering what to do next. Call our Little Rock office, and we'll do our best to get you in the same day.