Dental Emergency in Braintree, MA

If you're in pain, bleeding, or have just damaged a tooth, call (781) 843-7800. South Shore Dental Group in Braintree reserves time every day for dental emergencies, and we will do everything we can to see you the same day you call.

Our office has been the South Shore's emergency dental destination for over 30 years. Because we have generalists, periodontists, and restorative specialists in the same building, complications that would normally send you to a second office — like a fractured tooth that needs both root canal treatment and a crown — can usually be handled in one place.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

• Severe toothache that disrupts sleep, eating, or work
• Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth — time-critical; call immediately
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, especially with pain or sharp edges
• Broken or lost dental restoration (crown, filling, bridge)
• Dental abscess — swelling in the gums, face, or jaw with or without pain
• Lost permanent tooth in trauma from a fall, sports injury, or accident
• Uncontrolled bleeding after extraction or oral surgery
• Severe jaw pain or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing (call 911 if breathing is affected)

What to Do Before You Get to Our Office

What you do in the first 30 minutes after a dental emergency often determines whether a tooth can be saved. Call us first — we'll guide you through these steps on the phone if needed — but here are the basics for the most common situations:

If a Permanent Tooth Has Been Knocked Out

This is the most time-sensitive dental emergency. The tooth has the best chance of being saved if it's reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes.

• Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), never by the root
• If it's dirty, rinse gently with milk or saline — don't scrub
• If you can, place it back in the socket and bite gently on a piece of gauze to hold it in place
• If you can't reimplant it, store it in milk (best), saliva, or a tooth preservation solution — not water
• Call us on the way to our office

If You Have a Severe Toothache

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water
• Floss gently to make sure no food is trapped between teeth
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for swelling
• Take ibuprofen as directed for pain (avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum)

If a Tooth Is Cracked or Broken

• Save any large fragments and bring them with you
• Rinse your mouth with warm water
• If there's bleeding, apply gauze with steady pressure for 10 minutes
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling

If a Crown or Filling Has Come Out

• Save the restoration if possible — we may be able to re-cement it
• Avoid chewing on that side
• Over-the-counter dental cement (available at pharmacies) can temporarily protect the exposed tooth until your appointment

If You Have Significant Swelling or a Facial Abscess

Call us immediately. Untreated dental abscesses can become serious infections. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling that's spreading rapidly, or a high fever, go to the emergency room.

How Quickly We Can See You

Our office reserves time every day for emergency patients, and the closer you call to the start of the day, the better we can fit you in. Here's what to expect:

Same-Day Appointments

For true emergencies — active pain, trauma, knocked-out teeth, abscesses — we make every effort to see you the same day. Call as early as possible. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

After-Hours Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency outside our office hours, call our main line at (781) 843-7800. Our voicemail provides guidance for managing your situation overnight and getting in first thing the next morning. For life-threatening situations — difficulty breathing, severe facial swelling, uncontrolled bleeding — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What to Bring

• A list of any medications you currently take
• Your insurance card
• Any tooth fragments or restorations that came out
• The name of your regular dentist (if it's not us) so we can coordinate follow-up care

Why South Shore Dental Group Is the Right Call in an Emergency

30+ Years of Emergency Experience

Our doctors have managed thousands of dental emergencies for the South Shore community since the late 1990s. We've seen virtually every situation, which means faster, calmer, more effective treatment for you.

On-Site Specialists for Complications

A dental emergency rarely involves just one type of treatment. A fractured tooth often needs root canal therapy, a crown, and sometimes periodontal care. Most practices would refer you to a separate office for each. We handle it all in one location — fewer appointments, faster resolution, less time in pain.

We See New Patients in Emergencies

You don't need to be an existing patient to be seen for an emergency. Many patients first come to us in a crisis and then stay because of how the experience went.

Convenient Location for the Whole South Shore

We're located at 350 Granite Street in Braintree, just off Route 3 — accessible from Quincy, Weymouth, Hingham, Milton, Norwell, and surrounding communities.

What is considered a dental emergency?

A dental emergency includes severe toothache, knocked-out (avulsed) teeth, cracked or broken teeth, lost or broken dental restorations like crowns and fillings, dental abscesses, uncontrolled bleeding after dental work, and significant facial swelling. Any situation involving difficulty breathing or swallowing requires emergency room care.

What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), gently rinse with milk or saline, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can't reimplant it, store the tooth in milk and call South Shore Dental Group immediately. The tooth has the best chance of being saved if reimplanted within 30 to 60 minutes.

Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment in Braintree?

Yes. South Shore Dental Group reserves time daily for emergency patients and will see emergency cases the same day whenever possible. Call (781) 843-7800 as early in the day as you can. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Do I need to be an existing patient for emergency dental care?

No. South Shore Dental Group sees both new and existing patients for dental emergencies. New patients are welcome and many of our long-term patients first came to us during an emergency.

How much does emergency dental care cost?

Emergency exam costs vary by what's needed, typically ranging from $75 to $250 for the visit itself. Treatment costs depend on the procedure required (extraction, root canal, crown, etc.). South Shore Dental Group accepts most major dental insurance and offers financing options for out-of-pocket costs.