The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite in Atlanta sees urgent surgical problems: infected wisdom teeth, broken teeth that can't be saved, and swelling from a dental infection. Dr. Jennifer Okhiria examines, takes X-rays, and treats with extraction or drainage. Facial injuries should go to an emergency room.
Go to an emergency room instead if
These need a hospital right away, not an office visit.
What counts as urgent here
What problems can you treat urgently?
A wisdom tooth that is infected and swollen, a tooth that has broken and can't be repaired, and an abscess that needs to be drained. These are surgical problems, and they're what we're set up for.
What should I do first?
Call as early in the day as you can. We fit urgent patients in around scheduled surgery. If swelling is spreading toward your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room right away.
What happens at the visit?
An exam and X-rays, then treatment. That usually means removing the tooth or draining the infection, sometimes with antibiotics. You go home with written instructions.
Honest limits
We don't treat facial fractures or injuries in the office. Dr. Okhiria repairs those in a hospital operating room when she's on trauma call, which is why a facial injury should go to an emergency room. A toothache that isn't surgical is best seen by your general dentist.
Cost and scheduling
Urgent extractions are often partly covered by insurance. We'll give you an estimate before treatment.
Questions patients ask about urgent oral surgery
Can I be seen the same day?
Often, if you call early. We fit urgent patients around scheduled surgery, so same-day isn't guaranteed but we try. If you have spreading swelling, fever or trouble breathing or swallowing, don't wait for our Atlanta office. Go to an emergency room.
Should I go to the ER or call you?
Go to the ER for any facial injury, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or high fever. For an infected or broken tooth without those signs, call our Atlanta office first thing and we'll work you in when we can.
Will I need antibiotics?
Sometimes. Antibiotics help control a spreading infection, but the tooth or abscess usually still needs to be treated because it's the source. Dr. Okhiria in Atlanta decides based on the exam and X-rays and explains exactly why before prescribing anything.
Can an infected wisdom tooth be removed right away?
Often yes, though sometimes the swelling needs to calm down first. Dr. Okhiria examines the area and decides whether to remove the tooth that day or treat the infection first. Either way, you'll have a plan before leaving our Atlanta office.
What if it happens after hours?
Call the office and follow the recorded instructions. For severe swelling, a facial injury, or trouble breathing or swallowing, go straight to the nearest emergency room. Our Atlanta team will see you as soon as possible when the office opens.
Request a consult
Send a request and our team will call you to find a time. Most patients come with a referral from their dentist, and you're welcome without one.