Immediate Relief
Our first priority is relieving your pain quickly using modern techniques and technology.
Accepting New Patients
Emergency Dentist in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Are you dealing with sudden, severe tooth pain or a dental injury? Our emergency dentist in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is ready to see you fast, often the same day. At Elite Dentistry, Dr. Lari and our team provide prompt, effective care with advanced technology when you need it most.
2,500+
Happy Patients
25+ Years
Experience
Same-Day
Emergency Care
Understanding Your Treatment
What Is Emergency Dentist?
Emergency dentistry provides immediate care for unexpected oral health problems that cannot wait. These range from severe toothaches and broken teeth to lost fillings and injuries from an accident. We set aside time in our daily schedule for urgent cases, so you can be seen quickly. With digital X-rays and CBCT imaging, we can pinpoint the problem and start effective treatment on the spot.
The Benefits
The Benefits of Emergency Dentist
Prevents Complications
Fast treatment keeps a minor problem from turning into a bigger, more serious one.
Same-Day Solutions
With our in-house CEREC system, we can provide same-day crowns and restorations when needed.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have a trusted provider ready for urgent care is a real comfort for your whole family.
The Process
Our Step-by-Step Process
From your first exam to the final result, here's exactly what to expect — calm, clear, and never rushed.
Request an Appointment- 01
Fast Check-In
You are greeted by our caring team and taken to a treatment room right away.
- 02
Diagnosis
We perform a thorough exam with X-rays and imaging to accurately identify the problem.
- 03
Treatment Plan
We explain what we found and walk you through your options together.
- 04
Same-Day Treatment
With our advanced equipment, we can resolve most emergencies in a single visit.
Is It Right for You?
Signs You May Need Emergency Dentist
Severe Pain
You have an intense, persistent toothache that could signal a serious problem.
Broken Tooth
A tooth is broken or knocked out and needs quick attention to save it.
Lost Filling
A lost filling or crown leaves a tooth sensitive and vulnerable to damage.
Swelling or Fever
Swelling, severe pain, or fever can point to an infection that needs urgent care.
Urgent Treatments
Common Emergency Dental Treatments
Most dental emergencies can be resolved with one of a handful of proven treatments, and we can address most of them in a single visit.
Pain Management
Relieving pain is often the first step in emergency dental care.
Tooth Restoration
Restorative treatments aim to repair damaged teeth and restore their function and appearance.
Root Canal Therapy
If the tooth's pulp is infected or damaged, a root canal may be necessary to remove the infection and save the tooth.
Tooth Extraction
In cases where a tooth is severely damaged or infected and cannot be saved, extraction may be necessary.
When to Act
Which Injuries Need an Emergency Dentist, and How Fast Can You Be Seen?
Injuries That Cannot Wait
Knocked-out teeth need immediate attention, ideally within an hour, for the best chance of saving the tooth through reimplantation. Cracked or fractured teeth, especially those with exposed nerves, require urgent treatment. Severe bleeding from the mouth or gums, injuries causing severe jaw pain, and trauma from sports or accidents all necessitate emergency evaluation by Dr. Lari.
Infections Are Emergencies Too
Dental infections accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty swallowing demand immediate care to prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of your mouth or body.
How Soon You Can Be Seen
We prioritize emergency cases and work to see patients as quickly as possible, often the same day. When you call (949) 888-8989, our team will assess your situation and fit you into our schedule urgently. For severe pain, trauma, or infection, we make every effort to accommodate you within hours of your call.
Children Welcome
Elite Dentistry welcomes pediatric patients for emergency dental care, from knocked-out baby teeth to severe toothaches or injuries from falls and sports. Dr. Lari is experienced in treating anxious and injured children with compassion and skill, keeping your child calm and reassured throughout the process.
You're in good company… Glowing Reviews
Glowing Reviews
From Our Patients
5-star rated dental care from patients like you…
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Hi everyone. I just had the most amazing dental treatment experience yesterday at Elite Dentistry in RSM, thanks to the wonderful Dr. Mehran Rastegar Lari and his whole team who made my experience pain free and friendly, really welcoming. And I'm talking about hygienist Michelle, and RDA Nayeli, (not sure of the name), and Irene and Yesenia in the front office. If you want a friendly and stress free experience, this is the place! And if you want the latest high tech equipment and procedures to not only ease the pain, but speed up the process -- especially when it comes to the need for cutting and replacing / building new crowns, this is the place! And I just can't say enough about Dr. Lari, I mean, he's a master. Honestly, I have a long previous history of experiencing dental treatment of all kinds, of the associated pain, of the stress and anxiety whenever I'd be under the drill. Or the long wait while dentists would need to take impressions, of having all that ordeal of having your mouth filled with cold thick stuff like plaster, waiting for the mold to form. And on and on. But wow, not only didn't Dr. Lari need to take impressions, but he uses a "scanner" inside the mouth to build the model of the teeth digitally in another way. This is wild, and amazing, and so much faster! And so much more comfortable.Even his way of numbing the gums around the teeth seemed less invasive, less painful. It honestly wasn't painful. I remember him using his laser machine device, and it seemed that all processes were faster. And one thing I had never experienced until yesterday was having great well fitting crowns made in-office, fitted and emplaced all on the same day! I was blown away by the technology he has on site, and his -- and his staff's -- expertise in using these latest cutting edge tools. But I think the biggest thing for me was Dr. Lari's friendliness, his care for me as a patient, and that goes for all his team too. Really, I can't say enough about this practice. You guys are the best. Thank you so much, Dr. Lari and team :)” — Christopher
- 5 out of 5 stars. “100/10 recommend this place!! Had no luck finding a good dentist around until I came here! Irene and Yesenia in the front are so kind and really helpful with any questions you have! They make you feel so comfortable and really work on making your experience stress free! Elite Dentistry front desk team is the best!The RDA Nayeli was awesome she was so nice! help me get through my root canal without no pain! I was so nervous on the chair while she was getting everything ready for the procedure even while she was busy preparing would always ask if I’m okay and remind me that everything was gonna go well in she was right!I had other Doctors before and none of them compare to Dr.Lari! He helped me figure out a plan to fix my tooth and was straight to the point. The technology he use is top tier with his amazing work he made it easy and painless! He guides you along the way and really cares about his patients. Dr.Lari thank you again for the outstanding work you did and thank you for making me love the dentist once again!” — Milimoney
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I had such an amazing experience at Elite Dentistry and cannot recommend them enough. From start to finish, everything was seamless, calm, and genuinely pleasant which is saying a lot when it comes to dental visits.Dr. Mehran Rastegar-Lari is truly exceptional. He is incredibly kind, patient, and clearly very knowledgeable. He took the time to educate me throughout the process, answered all of my questions, and made sure I felt comfortable every step of the way. You can tell he genuinely cares about his patients and their experience, not just the end result.Omar, the dental assistant, was equally amazing. I suffer from pretty high dental anxiety, and he was so calming, reassuring, and supportive. He helped me relax and made the entire visit feel manageable and even comfortable. He was truly great.The front desk staff was also fantastic. Super outgoing, welcoming, and kind from the moment I walked in. The positive energy made a huge difference.On top of all that, I had a crown done the same day, and the process was completely effortless. No stress, no hassle, and everything was handled efficiently and smoothly.If you are looking for a dental office that combines professionalism, compassion, and top tier care, Elite Dentistry is it. I am so grateful I found them. 🦷✨” — Sara
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite dentistry has top a of the line facility, highly profesional dental technicians and excellent service in general.Same day crowns is amazing for someone with limited schedule during the week. I highly recommend this practice. This is our family dentist.” — Family
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I recently had two crowns and two filings worked on by Dr. Lari and his team! I can’t express my gratitude enough for them all! They made the 3 hour procedure painless and easy in every way! Dr. Lari used laser technology on one filing with only numbing gel… this was pain free, amazing! It’s hard to trust a new dentist and I miss Dr. Fonmin and Erin very much, but this team was amazing in every way and I am grateful!” — Jodi
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Dr Lari and his team were wonderful!I'm a bit of a difficult patient with a long (painful) past of dental issues.My teeth are sensitive and I'm always anticipating bad news.The hygienist was patient, careful and accommodating with my cleaning. No pain :)Dr Lari was personable and thurogh, with no "sales pitch" as he discussed some maintance/repair of some older work that will need to be addressed at some point in the future.All in all, a very pleasant visit and I'm actually looking forward to my next appointment 😀I would happily refer friends and family to Elite Dentistry!” — Linda
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I have had nothing but positive experiences at Elite Dentistry! Dr. Fonmin and Erin are always so kind and welcoming! As much as I hate needles, I have not had painful experiences when getting any dental work done at Elite Dentistry! It is very apparent that everyone on staff cares about each patient which is why I have been a patient here for years!” — Kristen
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I am extremely satisfied with the service. I received everything was handled professionally and effectively. The best experience I've had with the laser, FREE PAIN NO MUNING. I highly recommended the customer service was outstanding. They were so helpful and patient with all my questions. Great staff Elliott, dentisty.” — Yuri
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Today I went in to see the Elite. My story was a horrible tooth that was decayed and was an old baby tooth( by the way, I’m 50years old now) lolThe office workers, the doctor, the assistant were absolutely the most wonderful people. They made me at ease, they helped me in an hour get back my confidence. I have more work to be done but what they did for me today I will always be grateful. Many people do not always understand how your teeth can make you feel unattractive. I can not wait to get all the procedures done. I’m looking forward to bringing in my entire family. Doctor took out a tooth with suck ease and no pain I didn’t even realize he was done until he showed me my tooth. Thank you Elite Dentistry. I will pass the word to all I know.” — Zan
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite dentistry is the best dentist I’ve ever been to! The entire staff is so friendly and helpful. They’ve gone above and beyond for me several times, helping to make the perfect custom mouth guard and retainer. They will go the extra mile to make sure your experience is a great one. Even the terrible experience of having to get two cavities filled, wasn’t as bad as I expected, they made me super comfortable the entire time. I highly recommend Elite Dentistry!” — Cortney
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Dr. Lari is an awesome dentist, and he is honest and forthright and carrying. The staff at Elite Dentistry are also wonderful. I highly recommend Elite Dentistry.” — Ron
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite Dentistry is hands down one of the best dental clinics I’ve ever been to. Dr Mehran is truly the best in the industry extremely knowledgeable, professional, and someone you can genuinely trust. The entire team is welcoming and attentive, and you can tell ethics and patient care are a top priority here.They use state of the art technology and the latest equipment, which makes a huge difference in both comfort and results. Everything is explained clearly, there’s no pressure, and you always feel like they’re doing what’s best for you not just what’s convenient.Highly recommend Elite Dentistry to anyone looking for top-tier dental care with honesty, precision, and professionalism” — Masoud
The Elite Dentistry Difference
Why Choose Us as Your Emergency Dentist in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
When something goes wrong, you want to be seen fast and treated well. Here is why patients count on us in an emergency.
Here are just a few reasons our patients love us:
- Same-Day Appointments
- Advanced Diagnostics
- No Extra Charge
- Calming Environment
Frequently Asked Questions
You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers
Don't see the answer you're looking for? Call us at (949) 888-8989.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation with pain, a broken or infected tooth, or trouble eating and going about your day. Some emergencies are painless, so trust your judgment and reach out if something feels wrong.
What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
Locate the tooth and store it in a sealed container covered in milk or contact solution. Handle it by the crown, not the root, and call us right away.
How do I manage tooth pain on my way in?
Rinse with warm salt water and take ibuprofen as directed to ease swelling and discomfort. A cold compress on that side of your face can also help.
Does emergency treatment cost more?
No, we never charge extra for emergency care at Elite Dentistry. We help you get the treatment you need at our regular costs.
How do I pay for emergency care?
We offer flexible payment options to fit your budget and work with your insurance to maximize benefits. Our team will help you sort out coverage quickly.
Schedule Your Emergency Dentist Consultation
For urgent care, call our office right away at (949) 888-8989, so we can see you as soon as possible. You can also fill out the form below, and our team will reach out within one business hour.
25+ Years of Care
About Our Dentistry
Trusted Local Care in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Licensure
- CA License #65190 · Verify
- Insurance
- We work with most insurance providers.
- No Insurance?
- No problem — ask about our new patient specials and payment plans.
- Financing
- A wide range of dental financing options for every budget.
- Counties Served
- Orange County
- Cities Served
- Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Trabuco Canyon
Keep Exploring
Everything Else You Might Want to Know
On This Page
Other Treatments You Might Be Interested In
Helpful Links
Common Dental Emergency Terminology
19 quick, plain-language definitions — tap to expand
Abscessed Tooth A painful infection at the root of a tooth or in the space between the tooth and gum.
Avulsed Tooth A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket.
Broken or Chipped Tooth A tooth that has been fractured or damaged.
Extruded Tooth A tooth that has been partially dislodged from its socket.
Lost Filling or Crown A filling or crown that has fallen out or become loose.
Soft Tissue Injuries Cuts or lacerations to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue.
Toothache Pain in or around a tooth, often caused by infection or inflammation.
Dental Splint A device used to stabilize a loosened or displaced tooth.
Emergency Extraction Removal of a tooth that cannot be saved.
Incision and Drainage A procedure to drain an abscess.
Pain Management Using medication or other techniques to relieve pain.
Reimplantation Placing an avulsed tooth back into its socket.
Root Canal Therapy A procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.
Cellulitis A serious bacterial infection of the skin and tissues.
Dry Socket A painful condition that can occur after a tooth extraction when the blood clot is lost.
Facial Swelling Swelling of the face or jaw, often due to infection or injury.
Hematoma A collection of blood outside of a blood vessel.
Ludwig's Angina A severe infection of the floor of the mouth.
Trismus Limited jaw opening or lockjaw.