Emergency Dentistry FAQ in Framingham, MA

A dental emergency includes any situation causing severe pain, infection, bleeding, or trauma to the teeth, gums, or mouth — especially if it's interfering with your sleep, eating, or daily function.

Common dental emergencies include:

- Knocked-out or loose teeth

- Swollen face or gums

- Severe wisdom tooth pain

- Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth (especially if sharp to the tongue)

- Broken front teeth

- Broken dentures or teeth falling out of dentures

- Throbbing toothaches

- Dental issues causing severe headaches, trouble swallowing, or difficulty chewing

- Crowns or fillings that have come off

If you’re unsure whether it’s an emergency, call us anyway — we’re here to help. Most dental emergencies should be treated the same day to prevent further complications.

Yes – it depends on the situation. If you're experiencing pain, swelling, bleeding, or trauma to your mouth, please call us immediately.

Here are a few examples of when you should call right away:

• Painful tooth: May indicate infection – urgent care needed.
• Swelling or bleeding: Call immediately to prevent complications.
• Broken tooth still attached to the gum: This often worsens and must be treated quickly.
• Tooth knocked out: If the whole tooth is out (root and all), do NOT clean it. Place it in a cup of milk and get to us within the hour — we may be able to re-implant it.

• Toothaches or infections
• Knocked-out or broken teeth
• Lost fillings or crowns
• Denture or bridge damage
• Wisdom tooth pain or swelling
• Bleeding gums
• TMJ pain
• Loose implants or implant crowns
• Severe gum disease symptoms

Yes! At Atlantis Dental, we strive to treat all emergencies the same day, especially if you’re in pain.

• We take an X-ray of the affected area.
• Dr. Naqvi evaluates and discusses the diagnosis with you.
• We present a treatment plan and review payment options.
• We offer several financing options and accommodate all credit levels.

Our emergency consultation fee is only $49, which includes the exam and one X-ray. There are no hidden fees — we go over all treatment and payment plans before anything is done.

Yes! We have an after-hours emergency line with a voicemail system. Our AI assistant monitors messages in the evenings and on weekends, and the doctor will call you back or schedule you first thing the next day.

No. If you're in pain, Dr. Naqvi will numb the area first before any X-rays or exams are done. Our goal is to make you comfortable as soon as you walk in.

Yes. After evaluating your X-ray, Dr. Naqvi will determine if the tooth can be saved or needs to be extracted. In many cases:

• Extractions and bone grafts/implants are done the same day.
• Wisdom teeth can be removed in-house after evaluation.
• Antibiotics and pain meds may be prescribed if you're too swollen to open your mouth.

Delaying care can lead to:

• Emergency room visits
• Abscesses needing surgical drainage
• Permanent tooth loss
• Higher costs and missed work time

• A list of prescription medications (especially blood thinners, heart or BP meds)
• Info on any painkillers you've taken
• Your insurance info (if applicable)

Yes. Sudden or severe TMJ pain during stress can cause:

• Migraines
• Jaw locking
• Loss of sleep

We offer options to relieve the pain and prevent future flare-ups.

• Crowns can come off even when eating soft foods — get it re-cemented within 24–48 hours to prevent shifting.
• Loose implant crown? It may just need tightening.
• Loose implant itself? This could indicate infection and must be treated quickly.

No. Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if ignored. Early-stage gum disease is very treatable — don’t delay care.

We recommend a comprehensive exam and full-mouth X-rays to prevent future emergencies. A dental emergency is often a sign of deeper oral health issues that need to be addressed.

In most cases, yes — dental insurance plans typically cover the cost of emergency visits. If you don’t have insurance, our fee is $49 (includes exam and X-ray).

We offer multiple financing options and payment plans for all budgets and credit levels. We’ll help you get the permanent care you need to prevent your emergency from getting worse.

While walk-ins are accepted, we recommend calling ahead so we can prioritize your care and minimize your wait time.

You're not alone. Dr. Naqvi and our team provide gentle, compassionate care and explain everything before starting. We offer comfort options to reduce anxiety.

If you are a current patient of record (seen in the past 12 months), we may prescribe over the phone if appropriate. New patients must be seen in person.

Yes, we treat both children and adults. We’re fully equipped to handle pediatric dental emergencies with gentle care.

Most visits take 30–60 minutes depending on the severity of the issue. We aim to relieve your pain quickly and plan any follow-up care.

Handle the tooth by the crown (top), not the root. Rinse it gently if dirty — do not scrub or remove tissue. Try to place it back in the socket or keep it in milk or saliva. Call us immediately at (508) 270-5050. Time is critical for saving the tooth.

Yes — but only if treated within 30–60 minutes. The sooner you see us, the higher the chance of re-implanting the tooth successfully.

If you crack or break a tooth, please don’t ignore it. Call us right away at (508) 270-5050so we can quickly evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action to try to save the tooth.

Our first goal is always to preserve your natural tooth. If the break is above the gum line, the tooth is often savable with a filling or a crown — depending on how much structure remains. However, if the break extends below the gum line, the chance of needing an extraction and a dental implant replacement increases significantly.

Sometimes a tooth may break without causing pain, leading people to delay treatment. Unfortunately, this often allows the fracture to worsen, making the tooth unsalvageable. Early treatment gives us the best chance to save your tooth and avoid more extensive — and expensive — procedures down the road.

Remember: losing one tooth can lead to shifting and loss of additional teeth over time, so prompt care is crucial.

Rinse with warm salt water, take over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid aspirin directly on gums), and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek. Avoid hot, cold, or sweet foods. Contact us right away to be seen.

Yes, especially if the tooth is sensitive or painful. A lost crown or filling can expose the tooth’s inner structure and lead to decay or fracture. Call us to get it replaced or temporarily sealed.

Do not ignore even the slightest sign of swelling in your mouth — it can get worse very quickly. If you notice swelling, no matter how busy life is, it’s important to call us right away at (508) 270-5050.

If for some reason you are unable to come in and you are a **new patient**, contact your physician and request antibiotics (most physicians will prescribe them if you have been seen in the last six months). If you are an **existing patient** at Atlantis Dental, call us immediately — Dr. Naqvi will review your symptoms and can prescribe antibiotics to your pharmacy, followed by scheduling you for an urgent appointment.

Swelling in the mouth typically means **infection**, and if left untreated, it may require emergency visits and abscess drainage. Don’t wait until it becomes that serious.

For relief while waiting to be seen:

- Take **ibuprofen** as it helps reduce infection-related pain and inflammation.

- Rinse your mouth with **warm saltwater** (1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) several times a day to keep the area clean and minimize swelling.

- **Do not pop or drain the swelling yourself** — it can make the infection worse.

- Keep the area clean and avoid irritation until professional care is provided.

Call us right away. Baby teeth are not re-implanted, but it’s important to check for damage to surrounding teeth or tissue. We’ll determine if follow-up care is needed.

In most cases, contact Atlantis Dental first. We’re equipped to handle most dental emergencies the same day during regular business hours. Go to the ER only if you have **severe facial trauma, difficulty breathing, or uncontrolled bleeding**.

If you experience a dental emergency — especially swelling — during the weekend, long weekends, or when our office is closed, we have a 24-hour emergency line available. Our voice AI system will take your message, which is checked periodically.

- **New patients** should book an appointment with us as soon as possible when the office reopens.

- If the pain or swelling is severe and we are closed, your best option is to visit a **local urgent care** facility — they are often faster, efficient, and have more availability than ERs.

- If urgent care is unavailable, visit **Metrowest Medical Center Emergency Room**.

The sooner you begin antibiotics for swelling, the better. Do not ignore the symptoms. Signs that you may need emergency medical care include:

- High fever

- Severe headache or facial pressure

- Inability to sleep due to pain

- Difficulty swallowing or speaking

- Swelling spreading to the eye or throat area

**These can be signs of a serious infection that may be entering your bloodstream.**

Of course, if our office is open, we will get you in right away. These guidelines are only for when you cannot reach us during normal business hours.

Yes! We leave room in our schedule daily for emergencies. Call us at (508) 270-5050and we’ll do everything we can to see you the same day.

Include:

- Gauze and gloves

- Small container with a lid

- Saline solution or bottled water

- Pain relievers (ibuprofen)

- Dental wax

- Cold compress

- Our phone number: (508) 270-5050

Most PPO plans cover at least part of emergency dental care. If you don’t have insurance, we offer flexible payment plans through Alpheon Credit, Cherry, Healthcare Finance Direct, and others. We'll work with you to get the care you need.