Dental trouble has a way of showing up at the worst time, maybe halfway through brunch in Five Points or on an evening walk through Memorial Park. Knowing where to go and what to do next can turn a stressful day into one you can manage.
Riverside sits on the west bank of the St. Johns River, and JAX Dental Studio is across the water in San Marco, reached by the Fuller Warren Bridge on I-95 or the Acosta Bridge. As a dentist near Riverside, we set aside time on each day we are open for same-day emergencies, and Dr. Charles Poblenz walks you through what he finds before treatment.
Same-day care starts with a phone call on one of our open days, Monday through Thursday between 8 AM and 4:30 PM. The sooner you reach us, the easier it is to fit you into the time we hold for urgent patients, and our online booking accepts requests at any hour. Not sure it qualifies? A short phone description is often enough for our team to suggest how soon you should come in.
Severe tooth pain, a knocked-out or loosened adult tooth, a broken tooth or crown, a lost filling that has left a sharp or sensitive spot, and swelling or a bad ache that suggests infection all justify a same-day visit. When you call, tell us what happened and when it started so we can be ready for you.
On any day of the week, head straight to the nearest emergency room or call 911 for bleeding that will not stop, a hard blow to the face, or any trouble breathing or swallowing. A dentist can check the tooth afterward, once the bigger concern is handled.
Gather any broken pieces or a loose crown in a small bag. A cold compress on your cheek, 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off, may ease swelling on the drive, and over-the-counter pain relievers taken as the label directs may take the edge off, as long as aspirin stays off the gum.
We are in network with BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, and Florida Combined Life, and we offer CareCredit, Cherry, and an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance.
Our office is closed Friday through Sunday, and we would rather be upfront about that than leave you guessing. Hospitals do see many dental visits. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. emergency departments handled more than 2 million dental-related visits in 2018, and 94.5 percent of those patients were treated and released, so plan to have a dentist check the tooth once we open.
A knocked-out adult tooth is the one problem that should not wait, because it does best when it goes back in within about 30 minutes. A chipped tooth that does not hurt or a crown that came off cleanly can often wait until Monday if you are comfortable, and a call right at 8 AM helps us fit you in. Jot down when the pain started and what makes it better or worse, because those details help Dr. Poblenz on Monday. These are the weekend problems we see most often and how we treat them.
When a tooth has to come out, Dr. Poblenz talks with you about how to fill the gap, including dental implants near Riverside, bridges, and partial dentures. Leaving the space open can let nearby teeth shift over time.
After earning his DMD in Kentucky in 2015, Dr. Poblenz came back to Jacksonville to build a practice centered on honest, unhurried care, and he stays active in the Northeast District Dental Association and the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Any follow-up work after your emergency visit happens at the same office with the same team. His approach is simple: explain every option, then let you choose.
If you do not have dental insurance, our in-house membership plan includes one emergency exam a year if you need it, and CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread out a larger balance. Before any treatment, we go over fees with you so the cost is clear.
Riverside patients often ask what to expect before they cross the river. These answers cover what to bring, what to do at home, and how treatment unfolds.
Bring any broken pieces of tooth or a crown that came off, a tooth that was knocked out stored in milk, your insurance information, and a list of your medications and health conditions. Tell us about blood thinners or recent surgeries when you call. Having these ready lets Dr. Poblenz make decisions faster.
Rinse once with cool water, then bite down firmly on clean gauze or a damp tea bag for 15 to 20 minutes without checking. Sit upright and avoid spitting or rinsing hard, which can dislodge the clot. If bleeding is still heavy after two rounds of steady pressure, go to the emergency room and call us afterward.
Keep up with exams and cleanings so small cavities and cracks are found early, and wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. Do not chew ice or hard candy, and never open packages with your teeth. A custom sports mouthguard protects teeth during play, and replacing worn crowns or fillings on schedule keeps them from failing suddenly.
Dr. Poblenz explains each step first, works at a speed you set, and numbs the area with local anesthesia before procedures such as extractions. The exam and digital X-rays are quick. Say so right away if anything bothers you, and he adjusts.
Often the source of the pain is addressed at the first visit, but a full repair can take more than one. A root canal, for example, is usually followed by a crown, and a lab-made crown takes a few weeks with a temporary in place between visits. Dr. Poblenz outlines each step and its fees at the exam.
A painful tooth feels less overwhelming once you have a plan and a team on the other side of the bridge ready to carry it out. From the Cummer Museum on Riverside Avenue to the streets around Five Points, Riverside neighbors can count on a clear exam, digital images you can see, and straight answers from Dr. Charles Poblenz.
Our team files insurance claims on your behalf, which is one less thing to handle after a rough day. Book online any time, or contact our office first thing on an open day to ask about a same-day emergency visit.
