Dental Emergency in Durham, Nc
Fast Relief When Tooth Infection Cannot Wait
- Get same-day care when pain is keeping you from sleep.
- Protect your jawbone with extraction and socket grafting.
- Plan for an implant in three to four months.
Fast Relief When It Matters Most
When to Call 911 Instead of a Dentist
We take care of most dental emergencies right here in Durham, but some situations need immediate medical help before you see us. If you have any of these issues, call 911 or head to the nearest ER.
- Are you experiencing uncontrolled bleeding from your mouth that won’t stop with pressure?
- Is your face swelling and spreading towards your eyes, throat, or neck?
- Having trouble breathing or swallowing?
- Does your jaw look broken, out of alignment, or stuck?
- Have you lost consciousness or suffered a head injury from facial trauma?
- Is your facial swelling getting worse quickly and you have a high fever?
When you’re unsure, it’s always best to play it safe and call 911 first. Once we know it’s not a medical emergency, give us a ring. We’ll guide you on what to do next and get you into our office as soon as we can.
When You Need Us Most
What to Expect During Your Emergency Visit
When you are dealing with severe pain or swelling, knowing what comes next can make the visit feel more manageable. We focus on giving you clear answers and a calm path forward so you can feel ready for care instead of overwhelmed.
1
Same-day Evaluation
You start with a thorough exam and digital imaging so we can see what is causing the pain and how far the infection has spread. If you are nervous, that is normal. We explain what we see in plain language and talk through whether the tooth may need to come out.
2
Relief and Removal
If an abscess is present, you may feel relief as the infection is drained. When the tooth cannot be saved, it is removed with appropriate anesthesia so you stay comfortable. If needed, antibiotics may be prescribed to help your body keep fighting the remaining bacteria.
3
A Clearer Path Ahead
After the emergency is handled, you leave with the pain source removed and a plan for healing. If a bone graft was placed, it helps preserve your jaw for a future dental implant after recovery, usually in three to four months. You can move forward with more peace of mind.
There Is No Reason to Suffer Through the Pain
Choose Excellence
Why Patients Choose Us for Emergency Dental Care
When you are facing severe tooth pain, an abscess, or a dental infection, you need a team that responds quickly and gets the diagnosis right the first time. We provide same-day evaluation and treatment focused on relieving your pain and addressing the infection at its source.
Same-Day Appointments
We always prioritize emergency patients. When you reach out with an urgent issue, our team jumps into action to clear some space in the schedule, so you won’t have to sit at home in pain.
Cutting-Edge Tech for Accurate Diagnosis
Our office is equipped with CBCT 3D imaging (Kavo), digital scanning, and a Sprintray 3D printer, allowing us to accurately identify the issue and start treatment without unnecessary delays.
Comfortable Sedation Options
We know dental emergencies can be super stressful. That’s why we offer sedation options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visit.
One-Visit Fixes
Thanks to our on-site lab and 3D printing, many restorations that usually take multiple visits can be done in just one. You come in with a damaged tooth and leave with a solid repair.
Clear and Honest Treatment
Even during urgent visits, we take the time to explain all your options clearly. You’ll know exactly what’s happening and why we suggest a certain approach before we start any treatment. No surprises, no pressure.
A Team That Always Has Your Back
We get that an emergency visit isn’t something anyone plans for. From your first call to when you leave, our aim is to make you feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for.
Get Ready
Common Emergencies and How to Handle Them Before You Visit
A dental infection or severe toothache can come on suddenly, and how you respond in those first hours matters. Our emergency care focuses specifically on tooth infections, abscesses, and severe pain that may require drainage or extraction.
Tooth That Has Been Knocked Loose
Handle the tooth by the crown only, and avoid touching the root. If it needs rinsing, do so briefly with clean water, but do not scrub it or remove any tissue still attached. If you are able, gently place the tooth back into its socket and bite down on a soft, clean cloth to hold it in position. If reinserting it is not possible, keep it moist by storing it in a small container of milk or tucking it against the inside of your cheek. Acting quickly matters here, so call us right away. The sooner the tooth is treated, the better the chance of saving it.
Fractured or Damaged Tooth
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and place a cold compress against your cheek to ease swelling. Hold onto any pieces you can find and bring them with you. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and contact us as soon as possible.
Intense Tooth Pain
Rinse with warm salt water to help calm inflammation, and use floss carefully to clear anything caught between your teeth. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help until your appointment, but do not place aspirin directly on your gums, since it can burn the tissue.
Dislodged Crown or Filling
If your crown has come off, you can temporarily set it back on the tooth using a small amount of denture adhesive or toothpaste to hold it in place. For a lost filling, sugar-free gum or temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the exposed area. Chew on the opposite side and give us a call so we can repair it properly.
Something Lodged Between Teeth
Gently work dental floss around the area to dislodge the object, and avoid sharp tools, which can injure your gums or enamel. If floss does not resolve it, call us and we will remove it safely in our office.
Injury to the Gums or Soft Tissue
For cuts or tears on your lips, tongue, cheeks, or gums, rinse gently with a mild salt water solution and apply steady pressure with clean gauze or a damp cloth. Keep the pressure in place for 15 to 20 minutes without releasing it. If the bleeding does not slow after that, go to the nearest emergency room or contact us for further help.
Every Minute Matters When It’s About Keeping Your Smile Bright
Common questions
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Dental infections and severe tooth pain can raise a lot of urgent questions. We explain the most common ones below, and if yours is not covered here, reach out and we will help you understand what needs to happen next.
Do you see emergency patients the same day?
Yes, we make every effort to see emergency patients the same day they call. Tooth infections and severe pain need prompt attention, so we prioritize these visits and ask you to call as early as possible for the best chance of an opening.
Can you tell if my tooth needs to be extracted?
We start with a thorough exam and digital imaging to check the tooth, the infection, and the surrounding bone. That gives Dr. Long the information needed to decide whether the tooth can be saved or whether extraction is the most appropriate step.
Will I need antibiotics for a tooth infection?
Sometimes, yes. If there is an abscess or the infection is spreading, antibiotics may be prescribed to help your body fight the remaining bacteria. They are not the whole answer, though, since the infected tooth still has to be treated directly.
What happens if the tooth cannot be saved?
When a tooth is too damaged or infected to keep, we remove the source of infection with an emergency extraction. Dr. Long uses appropriate anesthesia and careful technique to keep you comfortable while addressing the problem that is causing the pain.
Is bone grafting done during an emergency extraction?
Often, yes. When a tooth is removed, a bone graft can be placed in the socket to help preserve jawbone volume and density. That step matters if you may want an implant later, because it supports the area while you heal.
How long before I can get a dental implant after extraction?
Typically, the extraction site needs about three to four months to heal before implant placement can begin. Once the area is ready, we can plan a dental implant to replace the tooth without affecting the nearby teeth.
What should I expect during my emergency visit?
We focus on finding the cause of your pain, controlling infection if needed, and deciding whether drainage or extraction is the right treatment. Dr. Long explains each step clearly, so you know what is happening and what comes next before you leave.
What if I have swelling or pus around my tooth?
That can point to a dental abscess, which is a serious infection that needs prompt care. We drain the infection when appropriate and then treat the tooth itself, because the pressure and pain usually come back if the source is left in place.
Do you treat broken veneers or chipped cosmetic teeth here?
No, our emergency service is focused on tooth infections, abscesses, severe toothaches, and extractions that require immediate care. If your issue is cosmetic and does not involve infection or severe pain, we can refer you to the right type of provider.
How do payment options work for emergency care?
We go over the financial side during your visit and explain the available payment options clearly before treatment moves forward. If an extraction includes bone grafting, we will review those details too, so you understand the full plan upfront.
Have more questions?
Contact our team and we'll be happy to provide you with the information and answers you need.
600+
Hours of CE
1 Visit
Teeth in a Day
Top
3-On-6 in NC
5 Years
Implant Warranty
Onsite
3D Printing
Protect Your Investment in Your Smile
We Stand Behind Every Implant We Place
Dental implants are a long-term commitment, and so are we. Our Implant Membership Plan combines the ongoing care your implants need with a 5-year warranty on our work, so you can enjoy your new smile with confidence.
Implant Care Membership
For Old North Dentures and Implants Patients
$
50
/month
or $600/year
🎉 Members typically save $120+ annually
- Two professional cleanings per year
- Thorough cleaning of implants and restorations
- Tissue health evaluations
- Imaging to monitor bone levels
- 5-year warranty on implant complications
- 5-year warranty on implant-supported restorations
- Priority scheduling
- No surprise costs on covered care
*This is not an insurance policy. Coverage applies only to implants and restorations placed by Dr. Long at our Durham, NC office. Your warranty remains active with continuous membership and attendance at all scheduled maintenance appointments. Some exclusions apply.
Join the Implant Care Membership
Enroll after your implant treatment is complete, and your warranty starts the moment your final restoration is placed.
Financing Options
Get the Care You Need Without Financial Stress
We offer flexible payment plans so you can get the treatment you need without the financial stress. Your smile shouldn’t have to wait, and with us, it doesn’t have to.
Streamline your dental care investment with Proceed Finance. Their flexible plans make achieving your smile goals easy and affordable.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
CareCredit, a trusted healthcare financing option, offers convenient payment plans to fit your budget. Invest in your oral health with confidence.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
Bite-sized payments, big smiles! Cherry Payment Plans offer easy-to-use financing options to make your dental care more accessible.
NO Credit Score Impact Until Plan Selected.
Choose Your Payment Plan and Begin Treatment Today
Don't Wait in Pain
Every Minute Matters, so Let's Get You out of Pain Right Now
- Stop the pain and save the tooth
- Repair damage before it gets worse
- Get back to eating and sleeping comfortably
