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Emergency Dental Care in Cary, NC
In pain, or broke a tooth? Call now. We’ll get you seen as quickly as possible, often the same day.
4.8 ★ on Google (340+ reviews) · Same-week appointments · New patients welcome
Fast, Gentle Help When It Hurts
Dental emergencies never happen at a good time. Whether it’s a throbbing toothache, a cracked tooth from a weekend game or a crown that came off at dinner, our team in Cary will help you get out of pain and protect your tooth as quickly as possible.
We save time every day for urgent visits, and we welcome new patients and people visiting from out of town. Call us first: we’ll tell you what to do right now and get you in as soon as we can.
We know you may be anxious as well as in pain. Gentle techniques make your visit more comfortable: numbing gel (Oraqix) before injections, careful, gentle injections and nitrous oxide to help you relax. We’re especially good with nervous patients and children.
What to Do Right Now
Here’s what to do while you’re on your way to us. Call (919) 336-5245 first so we can get ready for you.
Severe Toothache
A toothache that keeps you up at night, throbs or won’t go away can mean a deep cavity, a crack or an infection.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Gently floss around the tooth to remove any trapped food.
- Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 15–20 minutes at a time.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label. Never put aspirin directly on the gums; it can burn the tissue.
Broken, Chipped or Cracked Tooth
Even a small chip can expose the sensitive inside of the tooth. Pain with cold or chewing means it needs prompt care.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water and save any pieces of the tooth.
- If there’s bleeding, press gently with clean gauze for about 10 minutes.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek to keep swelling down.
- Chew on the other side and avoid very hot or cold foods until you’re seen.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Time matters most here. An adult tooth put back within 30 to 60 minutes has the best chance of being saved. Call us right away.
- Pick the tooth up by the top (the white chewing part), never by the root.
- If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with cold water for about 10 seconds. Don’t scrub it or wrap it in tissue.
- If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite softly on gauze to hold it in place.
- If it won’t go back in, keep it moist in a cup of milk and come in right away.
Baby teeth: don’t put a knocked-out baby tooth back in, because it can damage the adult tooth underneath. Bring your child in so we can check the area.
Lost Filling or Crown
A missing filling or crown leaves the tooth exposed and sensitive, but it can usually wait for the next available appointment if you’re not in pain.
- Keep the crown in a safe, clean container and bring it with you.
- Cover the exposed spot with temporary dental cement or sugar-free gum from a pharmacy.
- Don’t use household glue to reattach a crown.
- Chew on the other side until we can see you.
Swelling or Dental Abscess
Swelling in your gums, face or jaw, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste can mean an infection that needs treatment soon.
- Call us right away. Infections don’t go away on their own.
- Rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of water) a few times a day.
- Use a cold compress on the outside of your face.
- Don’t put heat on the swelling or try to drain it yourself.
Go to the ER or call 911 if swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or you have a fever, trouble breathing or trouble swallowing.
Injury to the Mouth, Lips or Gums
Cuts to the lips, tongue or cheeks often look worse than they are, but a dentist should check the teeth too.
- Rinse gently with warm water.
- Press clean gauze or a damp tea bag on the area for 10–15 minutes to stop bleeding.
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- If bleeding doesn’t stop after 15 minutes, or you think your jaw may be broken, go to the ER.
Not sure if it’s an emergency?
If you’re in pain, bleeding, have swelling or have damaged a tooth, treat it as urgent and call us. We’ll help you decide over the phone.
How Quickly Can You See Me?
Call as early in the day as you can. We hold time for urgent visits, and most emergency patients are seen the same day they call, often within a few hours. If we can’t see you right away, we’ll tell you what to do until your appointment.
Dental Emergency After Hours or on the Weekend
If you have a dental emergency outside our office hours, call (919) 336-5245 and follow the instructions on our voicemail to reach the on-call team. Leave your name, phone number and what happened, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Day | Office Hours |
|---|---|
Monday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Wednesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Thursday | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Friday | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
Saturday – Sunday | Closed (emergency line only) |
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that spreads to your eye, neck or under your jaw, especially with a fever
- A possible broken jaw or a serious injury to the face or head
- Bleeding that won’t stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure
Once you’re stable, call us to follow up on your teeth.
Emergency Visit Costs & Insurance
Most dental insurance plans cover part of an emergency exam and X-rays. We’ll check your benefits, tell you the cost before treatment and offer CareCredit and Cherry financing for larger treatment.
Emergency Dentist FAQs
Below are answers to common questions about our practice, for any further questions, please reach out to us!
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment?
In most cases, yes. Call (919) 336-5245 as early in the day as possible, and we’ll do our best to see you the same day.
Do you see new patients or people visiting from out of town?
Yes. You don’t need to be a current patient. We welcome new patients and visitors with dental emergencies.
What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?
Pick it up by the top, not the root, rinse it gently and try to put it back in the socket. If you can’t, keep it in milk and call us right away. An adult tooth has the best chance of being saved within 30 to 60 minutes.
Is a toothache an emergency?
Severe or lasting pain, pain with swelling or fever, or pain that keeps you up at night should be seen quickly. It can be a sign of infection that won’t go away on its own.
What if I have a dental emergency after hours?
Call (919) 336-5245 and follow the voicemail instructions to reach our on-call team. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling spreading to your eye or neck, go to the emergency room.
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
It depends on what you need. Most insurance plans cover part of an emergency exam and X-rays, and we’ll explain all costs before any treatment. Financing is available through CareCredit and Cherry.
Ready to schedule?
Book online or call (919) 336-5245
Don't lose any more time and get the dental care you and your family deserve.
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