A sudden toothache, a cracked tooth, or swelling near a tooth can disrupt your whole day. When the cause is inside the tooth, a general emergency visit may relieve the symptoms without addressing the source. Seeing a provider whose work centers on the tooth’s pulp and roots can shorten the path to relief.
Burien Endodontics, led by Dr. Matthew Tomala, is about 15 minutes from downtown Seattle via I-5 or WA-509 and works to see emergency patients as soon as possible. Dr. Tomala has 15 years of endodontic experience and teaches at the University of Washington School of Endodontics as an affiliate assistant faculty member. Our Seattle endodontist page and our Seattle overview describe how we serve patients from across the city.
Some symptoms suggest the pulp or root of the tooth is involved. Severe, throbbing pain that keeps you awake, pain when you bite or release, and lingering sensitivity to hot or cold are common examples. Swelling in the gums or face and a bump on the gums that drains may signal infection.
Injuries matter too. A tooth that is loosened, pushed out of place, or knocked out should be evaluated quickly, and our page on traumatic dental injuries explains how we assess them.
Endodontists are dentists with additional years of advanced training in diagnosing tooth pain and saving natural teeth, according to the American Association of Endodontists. That focus is useful when pain is hard to trace to a single tooth. We do not require a referral, so you can call us directly and avoid delays.
Specialized root canal therapy and endodontic treatment delivered with precision and compassion.
Our team starts with your symptoms and a brief medical history. We then perform a localized exam and take diagnostic images. When it will help, a CBCT scan shows the tooth and surrounding bone in three dimensions, which can reveal cracks, hidden canals, or infection that standard images miss.
Once we know the cause, we discuss treatment options, including non-surgical root canal therapy. Local anesthetic keeps you comfortable, and where appropriate, laser technology supports disinfection, pain management, healing, and a reduction in inflammation. Most often, evaluation and treatment can happen at the same visit, and your digital records can be shared with your general dentist.
Infection, trauma, and cracks are the most frequent reasons patients call us urgently. An abscess may need drainage and root canal treatment, and a cracked tooth needs prompt evaluation to learn how far the crack extends. Our page on emergency endodontic care covers each of these in more detail.
While you arrange your visit, rinse with warm salt water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. Take over-the-counter pain medicine as the label directs, and avoid very hot or cold foods.
For a knocked-out tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse it gently with milk or saline, and try to place it back in the socket. If you cannot, keep it in milk and come right away. Time can affect whether the tooth can be saved.
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if swelling affects your breathing or swallowing, if swelling spreads with a fever, or if you have a head injury or bleeding that will not stop. After you are stable, call us so we can treat the tooth itself.
Our office is at 118 SW 160th Street in Burien, and we are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Patients come from West Seattle, Tukwila, Renton, SeaTac, and Normandy Park, as well as other parts of Seattle. Call before you leave so we can prepare for your arrival.
Our front office checks your benefits and files claims on your behalf. Real-time claim processing shows your estimated insurance portion, and only that estimated portion is due at the time of service. If your portion cannot be paid at the visit, we discuss financing options before treatment. You can review accepted insurance plans in advance.
Dr. Tomala earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, completed an Air Force general dentistry residency, and earned his Master of Science in Dentistry through postgraduate endodontic training at the University of Washington. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, and the King County Dental Society.
If you are in pain, call (206) 402-5147 or use our contact form so we can help you as soon as possible.
