Emergency dentist in Chula Vista
Tooth pain, a broken tooth or a lost filling should not have to wait. At South Bay Dental Arts we generally see dental emergencies the same day, during office hours, and walk-ins are welcome.
Call us first at (619) 420-4523 if you can, so our team can prepare for you. We explain your diagnosis, options and cost in English or Spanish before treatment.
Common dental emergencies
If you are not sure whether your situation is an emergency, call us and describe what is happening. Examples include:
- A severe or persistent toothache
- A broken, chipped or cracked tooth
- A knocked-out tooth
- A filling, crown or bridge that came loose or fell out
- Swelling, or a painful bump on the gum
- Pain or bleeding after an injury to the mouth
What to do right now
When to go to the emergency room
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have swelling that spreads to the face, eye or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, a fever with facial swelling, bleeding that will not stop, or an injury to the head or jaw. Dental pain alone, without these signs, is something to call us about.
How an emergency visit works
Call or walk in
Call (619) 420-4523 or come to 345 F St, Suite 290. Tell the front desk it is urgent and we will see you as soon as we can. Outside office hours, our AI phone assistant answers.
Exam and X-ray
We examine the area and take the images needed to find the cause of the problem.
Relief and treatment
We explain your options and cost, in English or Spanish, and treat what we can to relieve pain and protect the tooth.
Follow-up care
If more treatment is needed, such as a crown, root canal or extraction, we schedule it with you.
Office hours
Mon – Tue: 8–12 & 1–5
Wed – Thu: 7:30–12:30 & 1:30–4:30
Fri: 8–12
Sat – Sun: Closed
Same-day emergency care is generally available during these hours. During the lunch hour and after business hours, including weekends, our AI phone assistant answers your call. Use the emergency room for serious symptoms.
Care you can trust, in your language
This office has had just two dentists in more than 40 years, and Dr. Raygada has led it since 2009. Our doctors and dental assistants speak Spanish. We accept most major dental PPO plans and offer third-party financing for treatment not fully covered.
Dental emergency questions, answered
Do you see dental emergencies the same day?+
Generally yes. We prioritize same-day appointments for dental emergencies during office hours, depending on availability. Call (619) 420-4523 and tell our front desk it is urgent.
Do you accept walk-in patients?+
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome at our office in Chula Vista, California, and new patients are welcome too. Calling first helps us prepare for you.
Is a toothache a dental emergency?+
Severe or persistent tooth pain, especially with swelling, is a reason to call us right away. Rinse with warm water, use a cold compress, and avoid placing aspirin on the gum. Call us to be seen.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?+
Call us immediately. Hold the tooth by the crown, rinse it gently, and place it back in the socket if you can; otherwise keep it in milk. Getting treated quickly improves the chance of saving the tooth.
Who answers the phone when the office is closed?+
During the lunch hour and after business hours, including weekends, our AI phone assistant answers the call. It tells you at the start that it is an AI assistant and that the call is being recorded. If you are an existing patient with an emergency, it sends a text or contacts a member of our team directly. If you are a new patient, it takes your information and can schedule an appointment, and our office will then contact you to learn more, especially about your insurance. For serious symptoms such as swelling that spreads to the face or neck, trouble breathing or swallowing, or uncontrolled bleeding, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Do you speak Spanish?+
Yes. Our doctors and dental assistants speak Spanish, and we explain diagnosis, treatment and cost fully in Spanish or English.
Do you accept dental insurance for emergency visits?+
We accept most major dental PPO plans, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Aetna, GEHA, Guardian, Principal and United Healthcare, and offer third-party financing for treatment not fully covered. We explain cost before you decide.
Dental emergency? Call us now.
Walk-ins and new patients welcome. Hablamos español.