Emergency Dentistry

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Unexpected events happen, and we are here to help you! Precision Dental Group offers same-day emergency appointments for our patients in the Hillsborough, NJ, area during office hours. 

Our team can help you determine the right next step for protecting your smile and oral health. At Precision Dental Group, we can help with:

  • Identifying whether your concern is a dental emergency
  • Providing guidance for common dental injuries
  • Evaluating urgent but non-emergency concerns
  • Delivering prompt emergency treatment
  • Preventing future dental emergencies

From a small chip to a knocked-out tooth, our office provides prompt treatment focused on relieving discomfort and addressing the source of the problem. Contact Precision Dental Group right away if you are experiencing a dental emergency.

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Experiencing a Dental Emergency? Don’t Wait

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in the orofacial region, please call our office so our staff can accommodate you.

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or if this is a true medical emergency, please visit your local hospital emergency room or call 911.9k

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What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can take many forms, and it is always best to seek care quickly to protect your health and prevent further complications. Situations that may require urgent dental attention include:

Severe Toothache or Pain

Persistent or sharp discomfort that does not improve with over-the-counter medication.

Knocked out or Loose Tooth

A tooth that has been fully dislodged or is shifting out of place.

Broken or Chipped Tooth

Damage that exposes the inner layers of the tooth or causes pain.

Lost or Damaged Crown or Filling

Restorations that fall out or break, leaving the tooth vulnerable.

Dental Abcess or Infection

Swelling of the gums or face, often accompanied by pain or pus.

Bleeding that Will Not Stop

Uncontrolled bleeding after an injury or dental procedure.

Trauma to Your Mouth Or Jaw

Injury from an accident or impact that affects your teeth, gums, or supporting structures.

When Fred’s Son Had A Dental Emergency, Dr Chu Was Able to Fully Restore His Smile

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The Benefits of Receiving Urgent Dental Care

We know that in some cases, especially if there is little discomfort, receiving dental care can seem like a hassle. However, there are many reasons why you should receive care quickly for your smile.

  • Prevent Permanent Damage: Not treating a dental emergency can lead to permanent damage to your teeth or gums. In some severe cases, it can even lead to tooth loss. Stepping in as early as possible can help prevent these issues.
  • Stop Pain and Swelling: Emergency dental care can provide immediate relief from pain or swelling while also addressing the underlying issue.
  • Manage Your Overall Health: We focus on comprehensive dentistry, so we know just how important your mouth is to your overall health. Infections and other dental issues can affect your entire body if left untreated.
  • Save Time and Money: A small treatment that addresses a dental issue can prevent a longer or more extensive issue down the road. For example, treating a small cavity with a filling can prevent a root canal or a tooth extraction.

Check Out Results from Real Cases

  • All on x dental implants before photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    All on x dental implants after photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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  • Bone Graft, Implants, Crowns, and Bridges at Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    Bone Graft, Implants, Crowns, and Bridges at Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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  • Fractured molar composite filling before photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    Fractured molar composite filling after photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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  • Anterior composite fillings before photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    Anterior composite fillings after photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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  • Gum graft before photo 1, Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    Gum graft before photo 2, Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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  • Front tooth filling before photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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    Front tooth filling after photo — Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ
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What Should I Do In a Dental Emergency?

Gently rinse your mouth and floss around the affected tooth to remove anything that may be caught between your teeth. Avoid placing aspirin directly against the tooth or gums, and contact us if the pain is severe or persistent.

Handle the tooth by the crown rather than the root. If it is dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing away any attached tissue. Keep the tooth moist and call our office immediately. The sooner you receive care, the better the opportunity may be to save the tooth.

Avoid chewing with the affected tooth or repeatedly moving it with your tongue or fingers. Call us promptly so we can evaluate the tooth and surrounding structures.

Save any pieces of the tooth you can find and rinse your mouth gently. Avoid biting with the damaged tooth until we can evaluate the extent of the break.

Keep the restoration if you still have it, and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Do not attempt to permanently reattach the restoration yourself. Schedule an emergency appointment so we can protect the exposed tooth.

Swelling, pus, severe pain, or a bump along the gums can indicate an infection that requires professional attention. Do not attempt to drain the area yourself. Contact our office promptly for an evaluation.

Apply gentle, steady pressure to the area with clean gauze. If bleeding is severe, does not stop, or accompanies significant facial trauma, seek emergency medical attention.

Use a cold compress on the outside of your face to help manage swelling. If you suspect a broken jaw, have severe facial injuries, or experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, visit an emergency room or call 911 rather than waiting for a dental appointment.

Urgent But Not Emergency Dental Concerns

Sometimes concerns can occur that are serious, but they are not serious enough that you need to go to the dentist’s office in the next couple of hours. Instead, for these kinds of concerns, we recommend scheduling an appointment within the next couple of days.

Bleeding or swollen gums, along with a bad taste in your mouth or a dry mouth, can all be indications of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a serious concern, but not a dental emergency. An exam from our in-office periodontist can determine the next best steps.

Occasionally, tooth chips happen but don’t cause pain or are not very large. In this case, treating them is important for your long-term function and confidence, but you do not need to drop everything you are doing for a small chip.

TMJ pain can happen for a variety of reasons. If you have not had trauma to your jaw but are suffering from TMJ pain, do not put off treatment.

Sometimes a small toothache can indicate a cavity or tooth sensitivity. If the pain is distracting, causing swelling, or is persistent, seek urgent help. If you have a light and inconsistent toothache, do see a dentist soon.

When paired with other symptoms, tooth sensitivity can be part of a dental emergency. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity on its own, it can wait a couple of days if needed. Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of gum recession or cavities, or it could be genetic.

Your Emergency Appointment at Precision Dental Group

An emergency clinical and radiographic exam will be done on the problem area. Recommendations and/or treatment will be offered to resolve your active concern. We encourage all patients to return for a comprehensive dental check-up after immediate concerns are addressed to prevent future emergency visits.

Treatment Options During a Dental Emergency

The right emergency treatment depends on what caused your discomfort or dental damage. After thorough evaluation, our team can recommend treatment to relieve immediate concerns while protecting the long-term health and function of your smile. Treatment options may include:

  • Dental Fillings: Repair cavities, fractures, or areas of damage with tooth-colored restorative material.
  • Dental Bonding: Restore smaller chips or cracks while preserving your natural tooth structure.
  • Dental Crowns: Cover and strengthen a tooth that has experienced more extensive cracking, breakage, or decay.
  • Root Canal Therapy: Remove infection from inside a tooth to relieve discomfort and help preserve the natural tooth.
  • Tooth Extraction: Remove a tooth when severe damage or infection makes saving it no longer possible.
  • Dental Infection Treatment: Address the source of an infection to control discomfort, swelling, and further oral health complications.
  • Crown or Filling Repair: Repair or replace a restoration that has broken, loosened, or fallen out.
  • Treatment for Dental Trauma: Evaluate injured, loosened, or knocked-out teeth and determine the appropriate treatment for restoring your smile.

Whenever possible, our goal is to resolve your immediate concern while preserving your natural teeth and preventing the emergency from impacting your oral health in the future.

Fred sharing his patient experience at Precision Dental Group, Hillsborough NJ

Why Choose Precision Dental Group During Your Dental Emergency?

Precision Dental Group expertly blends individual and family care with advanced dental technology. Our dental technology allows us to give you rapid diagnostics so you are not left wondering about the next steps. We even offer dental sedation as part of our dental technology, allowing you to receive the care you need while remaining calm or even relaxed. Dental emergencies don’t have to remain stressful when you visit our Hillsborough office.

Dr. Wong is our in-office periodontist. She has advanced training that allows her to treat periodontal disease and place dental implants in a familiar environment, reducing the need for referrals. If you are having a concern with infection or gum disease, she can confidently help you return to full health, even during a dental emergency.

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We Work With You to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Not every dental emergency can be prevented, especially when an unexpected accident or injury occurs. However, consistent preventive care can reduce your risk of developing dental problems that suddenly become painful or urgent. Routine dental exams allow us to identify cavities, weakened fillings or crowns, gum disease, infections, and other concerns while they may still be easier to manage.

Your daily habits can also protect your smile. Consider these simple preventive steps:

  • Keep Up With Routine Visits: Attend regular dental cleanings and exams so changes in your oral health can be caught early.
  • Wear a Mouthguard: Protect your teeth during sports and other activities where your mouth could experience an impact.
  • Avoid Using Teeth as Tools: Never use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or other objects.
  • Be Careful With Hard Foods: Avoid chewing ice and use caution with hard candies, popcorn kernels, and similar foods that could chip or crack a tooth.
  • Maintain Daily Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing consistently helps control decay and gum disease that could eventually lead to an urgent dental concern.
  • Address Problems Early: If a tooth, filling, crown, or other restoration begins to feel different, schedule an appointment rather than waiting for discomfort to become severe.

Preventive dentistry cannot eliminate every emergency, but taking care of small concerns early can help protect your natural teeth and reduce the likelihood of needing unexpected treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Dentistry

We often suggest a follow-up visit so we can address what led to the dental emergency and create a plan for your oral health. Some emergencies can be fully addressed during your initial appointment, while others require additional treatment after the immediate concern is stabilized. We will explain any necessary follow-up care and help you understand what your smile needs moving forward.

Yes. You do not need to be an established patient to contact Precision Dental Group about an urgent dental concern. Our team can evaluate the problem and help determine the appropriate next steps for your oral health.

Depending on your treatment and individual needs, sedation may be available to help you remain comfortable and relaxed. Let our team know if you experience dental anxiety so we can discuss your comfort options before beginning care.

Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan and the treatment you need. Our team can help you understand your benefits and available payment options before moving forward with recommended care.

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Prompt and Comfortable Care

When you visit Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, you can expect care that is prompt, diagnosed with precision, and treated with confidence. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call our office to get a same-day appointment.

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About The Doctors

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Dr. Edward Chu was born and raised in New Jersey. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from NYU College of Dentistry. He is proficient in all aspects of general dentistry and works diligently to provide quality care.

Dr. Christine Wong earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at New York University College of Dentistry and was awarded the David B. Kriser Award for Compassion. She specialized in periodontics and implantology at her post-doctoral program.

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