Emergencies Happen

We are equipped to handle routine dental emergencies within the scope of a general dental practice. Some issues can be resolved quickly with a simple filling or a bite adjustment. However, if you are experiencing constant, severe pain, the issue will typically require a referral to a specialist for a root canal or an extraction.

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If Dr. Lindgren and a member of our team need to meet you at the office after hours or on weekends, an additional after-hours fee will apply.

• After-Hours Fee: As of May 2026, the fee is $184. This is in addition to the cost of the limited exam, X-rays, and any treatment rendered during the visit.

• Fee Exception: This after-hours fee is waived if you need an emergency visit to re-cement a temporary crown that was recently placed by Dr. Lindgren or our team.

Whenever possible, we can consult with you over the phone to determine if your emergency would be best handled directly by a specialist, helping you save time and avoid an unnecessary after-hours fee.

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Specialist Referrals & The Role of a General Dentist

Dr. Lindgren has found that working closely with a trusted network of specialists ensures you receive the highest quality care. Specialists like Endodontists (who perform root canals) and Oral Surgeons (who perform extractions) are typically the providers we partner with for severe toothaches that cannot be resolved with conservative treatments. We are fortunate to have excellent specialist options within and near the Herriman area.

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Even if your condition requires a specialist's care, Dr. Lindgren is here to act as the "quarterback" for your treatment. He will help you evaluate your options, discuss the pros and cons of each approach, and determine the best course of action.

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If you have a severe toothache, there are generally two definitive options to resolve the pain:

1. Save the tooth: This involves a root canal performed by an endodontist. If the tooth is vital for chewing and has enough healthy structure left, saving it is often the ideal choice.

2. Remove the tooth: This involves an extraction performed by an oral surgeon. If a tooth is too heavily damaged to save predictably, or if it is a non-functional wisdom tooth, an extraction is often the most practical and cost-effective solution.

With years of clinical experience, Dr. Lindgren will help you weigh all relevant factors to make an informed, confident decision.

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Narcotics and Antibiotics Policies

• Please Note: Our office does not prescribe narcotic pain medications, and we do not store any narcotics or sedative drugs on-site.

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Managing Post-Operative Comfort

Our practice focuses heavily on preventative care and minimally invasive procedures. Because we refer complex root canals and difficult extractions to local specialists, the post-operative discomfort from the fillings and crowns we perform at Copper Mountain Dental is mild. In almost every case, this minor discomfort can be managed highly effectively with over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, or other non-narcotic pain relievers like Tylenol.

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Why We Do Not Prescribe Narcotics

Over the past 17 years of practice, Dr. Lindgren found that the clinical need to prescribe narcotics arose only once or twice a year—and over the last several years, that need dropped to zero while successfully treating thousands of patients.

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In response to the ongoing opioid crisis, state and federal regulations have drastically increased the continuing education requirements and regulatory fees for providers to maintain a narcotics prescribing license. Because there is no longer a clinical necessity in our preventative practice, and due to the significant administrative and financial costs required to maintain an active DEA registration, Dr. Lindgren has retired his DEA license.

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If a complex clinical situation arises where a stronger narcotic medication is genuinely necessary for your recovery, those prescriptions can be managed directly by the treating specialist or your general physician.

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Antibiotic Prescriptions

While we do not prescribe narcotics, Dr. Lindgren can prescribe an antibiotic when clinically indicated for a dental or tooth infection. Please note that antibiotics in dentistry are generally not a permanent cure; they are a temporary measure used to control swelling and symptoms until the source of the infection can be definitively treated via a root canal or extraction.

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