-  Burba  Dental  Partners  -

Emergency Dentistry

Request Appointment
White horizontal bar with a thin black line along the top edge.

-  Burba  Dental  Partners  -

Emergency Dentistry

Request Appointment
White horizontal bar with a thin black line along the top edge.

Emergency Dentistry

While routine checkups and preventive care are the best ways to keep oral issues at bay, unexpected dental emergencies can happen to anyone. Unlike regular dental appointments that are scheduled days in advance for minor concerns, emergency dentistry provides immediate, unscheduled care to relieve severe pain, treat urgent trauma, and restore your oral health. Ignoring an acute dental problem can lead to long-term complications affecting your surrounding teeth, gums, or jawbone.

- Recognizing a True Dental Emergency -

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if a dental issue requires immediate attention or if it can wait a few days for a regular appointment. While minor issues like a dull, intermittent toothache, a small chip, or food stuck between your teeth are non-urgent, you should seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of the following:

Severe, Constant Pain

Sharp, continuous pain or extreme jaw pain that persists despite taking over-the-counter medications typically indicates a serious underlying issue.

Uncontrolled Bleeding or Trauma

Ongoing, heavy bleeding after a procedure or an injury requires urgent care. Note: Any facial trauma that threatens to restrict your airway or breathing is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Tooth Abscess or Severe Infection

Pockets of pus beneath the teeth or along the gums, paired with swelling, redness, or a fever, signal a severe infection that can become dangerous if left untreated.

Knocked-Out or Heavily Fractured Teeth

Quick action during a restorative emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

Dry Socket

If you experience throbbing jaw pain, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste a few days after a tooth extraction, the protective blood clot may have dislodged, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.

- Recognizing a True Dental Emergency -

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if a dental issue requires immediate attention or if it can wait a few days for a regular appointment. While minor issues like a dull, intermittent toothache, a small chip, or food stuck between your teeth are non-urgent, you should seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of the following:

Severe, Constant Pain

Sharp, continuous pain or extreme jaw pain that persists despite taking over-the-counter medications typically indicates a serious underlying issue.

Uncontrolled Bleeding or Trauma

Ongoing, heavy bleeding after a procedure or an injury requires urgent care. Note: Any facial trauma that threatens to restrict your airway or breathing is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Tooth Abscess or Severe Infection

Pockets of pus beneath the teeth or along the gums, paired with swelling, redness, or a fever, signal a severe infection that can become dangerous if left untreated.

Knocked-Out or Heavily Fractured Teeth

Quick action during a restorative emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth.

Dry Socket

If you experience throbbing jaw pain, bad breath, or an unpleasant taste a few days after a tooth extraction, the protective blood clot may have dislodged, exposing the underlying bone and nerves.

- Emergency Dental Care -

Common Emergency Dental Procedures

Because dental emergencies come in many forms, your treatment will begin with a swift examination to diagnose the exact problem. Depending on your symptoms, our team is equipped to provide a variety of urgent solutions:

  • Infections & Abscesses

    Draining the abscess, removing localized decay, and prescribing antibiotics to eliminate harmful bacteria.

  • Pulpal Inflammation (Deep Cavity)

    Disinfecting and sealing the inner tooth chambers, or performing a gentle extraction if the tooth cannot be saved.

  • Lost Fillings or Crowns

    Replacing the lost restoration to eliminate pain, protect exposed nerves, and prevent new infections from setting in.

  • Fractured or Broken Teeth

    Restoring the tooth's structure using dental bonding, placing a protective crown, performing a root canal, or extraction.

  • Dry Socket

    Thoroughly cleaning the empty socket to prevent infection and packing it with soothing medical gauze.

- Emergency Dental Care -

Common Emergency Dental Procedures

Because dental emergencies come in many forms, your treatment will begin with a swift examination to diagnose the exact problem. Depending on your symptoms, our team is equipped to provide a variety of urgent solutions:

  • Infections & Abscesses

    Draining the abscess, removing localized decay, and prescribing antibiotics to eliminate harmful bacteria.

  • Pulpal Inflammation (Deep Cavity)

    Disinfecting and sealing the inner tooth chambers, or performing a gentle extraction if the tooth cannot be saved.

  • Lost Fillings or Crowns

    Replacing the lost restoration to eliminate pain, protect exposed nerves, and prevent new infections from setting in.

  • Fractured or Broken Teeth

    Restoring the tooth's structure using dental bonding, placing a protective crown, performing a root canal, or extraction.

  • Dry Socket

    Thoroughly cleaning the empty socket to prevent infection and packing it with soothing medical gauze.

What to Do While Waiting for Your Appointment

A sudden dental emergency can certainly catch you off guard, but please rest assured that you don't have to navigate this stressful moment by yourself. If you or a loved one is dealing with a dental emergency, your very first step should always be to call our compassionate team so we can provide immediate, tailored guidance to bring you peace of mind. While you are safely on your way to see us, there are a few gentle, temporary measures you can take at home to keep yourself comfortable and manage your symptoms:

  • For a Lost Filling or Crown:

    If a restoration pops out, the exposed tooth can feel very sensitive and vulnerable. You can temporarily protect the opening and shield the nerves by gently covering it with a small piece of sugarless gum.

  • For Pain & Swelling:

    To help ease acute discomfort and soothe the area, over-the-counter pain relievers (like Tylenol®, Advil®, or Aleve®) can be very helpful. Applying a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the outside of your cheek will also work wonders to minimize swelling.

  • For Bleeding or Fractures:

    If a tooth has broken or there is minor bleeding, remaining calm is key. Simply pack the area gently with clean medical gauze to safely control the bleeding and create a soft barrier that protects the sensitive, delicate tissues of your mouth.

Please remember that our caring team is right here to support you through this every step of the way, and we will do everything we can to get you smiling comfortably again as quickly as possible!

- Emergency Dentistry FAQs -

  • Can a Displaced Tooth Be Preserved During a Dental Emergency?

    A dislodged tooth can be preserved and restored with proper medical care. After locating the fragment or whole tooth, the patient should place it in a glass of milk or warm saltwater. This preserves the tooth until the dentist can replace it.

  • What Are the Main Goals of Emergency Dental Care?

    In general, there are three main goals for immediate treatment. One is to relieve pain. Another is to save any teeth in danger, and the third goal is to stop or prevent infection.

  • If a Temporary Restoration Falls Off, Do I Need Emergency Dental Care?

    It depends on how it happened. Denture adhesive may be used to fit the restoration back in place until a regular appointment is made. However, if trauma causes it to fall out and there is pain and bleeding, it is an emergency.

  • Why Is a Dental Infection Considered an Emergency?

    Untreated infection can quickly result in serious problems. An oral infection requires immediate dental care because the infection can spread to other areas of the body. Swelling, pain, nausea, fever, and pockets of pus indicate that emergency care is required right away.

- Emergency Dentistry FAQs -

  • Can a Displaced Tooth Be Preserved During a Dental Emergency?

    A dislodged tooth can be preserved and restored with proper medical care. After locating the fragment or whole tooth, the patient should place it in a glass of milk or warm saltwater. This preserves the tooth until the dentist can replace it.

  • What Are the Main Goals of Emergency Dental Care?

    In general, there are three main goals for immediate treatment. One is to relieve pain. Another is to save any teeth in danger, and the third goal is to stop or prevent infection.

  • If a Temporary Restoration Falls Off, Do I Need Emergency Dental Care?

    It depends on how it happened. Denture adhesive may be used to fit the restoration back in place until a regular appointment is made. However, if trauma causes it to fall out and there is pain and bleeding, it is an emergency.

  • Why Is a Dental Infection Considered an Emergency?

    Untreated infection can quickly result in serious problems. An oral infection requires immediate dental care because the infection can spread to other areas of the body. Swelling, pain, nausea, fever, and pockets of pus indicate that emergency care is required right away.

- Burba  Dental  Partners  -

Changing Lives One Smile At A Time.

A dental emergency can be incredibly frightening, and receiving fast care is often crucial to saving a tooth and preventing more severe complications. Instead of waiting around and allowing your symptoms to get worse, visiting our team as soon as possible ensures you get the immediate professional treatment and options you need. Our experienced practitioners are ready to treat the underlying problem and relieve severe mouth pain quickly, restoring comfort and peace of mind. If you are in pain or in doubt about whether you are experiencing a true dental emergency, don't hesitate. Call us today at (978) 744-7575 or schedule your appointment online and get the expert care you need without delay!