Request Request an Appointment Our Offices

Emergency Dentist — New Haven, CT

Professional Dental Care at a Moment’s Notice

Pained woman visiting her New Haven emergency dentist

No one ever expects that they’ll need to make an emergency visit to the dentist, but it happens all the time. If you’re experiencing severe dental pain, the last thing you want to do is waste precious time searching for “emergency dentist near me” online. To make sure this never happens to you, just put New Haven Dental Group’s number in your phone right now, and you’ll be completely covered if you ever require urgent dental care. We’re ready and able to accept emergency patients, and we’ll work to see you the same day that you call so we can get you out of pain as fast as possible. When you need professional dental care at a moment’s notice, don’t hesitate to call New Haven Dental Group.

Why Choose New Haven Dental Group for Emergency Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Man pointing to his dental emergency in New Haven visiting his dentist

It’s easy to panic in a dental emergency, but we encourage you to stay calm! Should you or a loved one ever need emergency dental care, just follow these steps:

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Whether your dental emergency stems from an accident that happened in the blink of an eye or an infection that took multiple months to develop, the best thing to do is seek out professional care right away. Our team will be able to relieve any pain and repair dental damage quickly before the problem has the chance to worsen. Even if you’re unsure if your situation counts as a dental emergency, we want you to call us. We’ll help you assess your situation over the phone and determine how quickly you need to be seen, whether that’s within the same day, within a few days, or if it can be managed at home. Below, you’ll find some important information about some of the most common dental emergencies we treat.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Money and dental tools representing the cost of dental emergencies in New Haven

Every dental emergency is a little different, so we will not be able to provide a cost estimate until you come in for your appointment. In most cases, seeking care sooner rather than later is the financially smart decision. Our team is happy to help you file insurance claims and navigate the other monetary aspects of your care. You can trust us to be upfront with you about pricing and do all we can to help you afford the treatments you need to get your oral health back on track.

Learn More

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Emergency patient learning about her options for treatment

From toothaches to broken teeth and everything in between, there are many different kinds of dental emergencies. The severity of oral health problems can also vary, ranging from the mild to the severe. As such, the cost of emergency dentistry in New Haven varies from patient to patient. One might just need a prescription mouthwash or antibiotics to feel better, while another may require one or more extractions. In some cases, multiple appointments are necessary to address a severe dental problem. Once we have evaluated you, we will review all your treatment options, including their estimated cost, your insurance coverage, and your payment options.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Man learning about his insurance coverage for dental emergencies

Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for at least one emergency exam each year. It is also standard for them to pay for at least a portion of the cost of treatments that are commonly used by emergency dentists in New Haven. Depending on your policy and the type of care that you need, your insurance might pay for 50 – 80% of the price of your treatment. Our team will be happy to help you figure out how your benefits apply.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Happy patient shaking hands with dental receptionist after appointment

In addition to helping you navigate your insurance, our team offers other provisions that may make your emergency dental care as affordable as possible:

  • Essential Dental Plan. This dental discount arrangement reduces the cost of virtually all the services we provide. Unlike regular insurance, it does not have an annual maximum, deductible, or waiting period. You are welcome to use Essential Dental benefits here or at our sister practices around the area.
  • If you do not wish to pay for the entirety of your treatment upfront, you can apply for financing through CareCredit, a third-party lender. Most patients are approved for credit, and you may have the option to choose from a variety of low-interest and no-interest payment plans.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Happy patient at appointment for preventive dental care

While some dental emergencies are the result of unavoidable accidents, most of them can be prevented. By visiting us every six months for a cleaning and checkup, you can reduce the risk that a minor dental problem will turn into a costly emergency down the road. Plus, most insurance plans cover preventive care at 100%, so attending these appointments can be a major financial win.

Also, keep in mind that it is wise to seek help as soon as you suspect that you have a dental problem. Do not wait until the pain becomes severe. Delaying care gives the issue the opportunity to worsen and become more costly to treat. For example, what starts out as a small cavity that could be fixed with a filling might progress to become a serious tooth infection that requires root canal therapy or even an extraction.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Closeup of smiling man after toothache treatment in New Haven

Our emergency dental office in New Haven is ready to help you when you are in need of urgent oral healthcare. However, it would be preferrable if you could avoid an emergency in the first place! Below, you will find some practical tips to greatly reduce the chances that you will encounter such a scary and painful situation.

Learn More

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Preventive dental appointment marked on calendar with red thumbtack

Visiting us twice a year for preventive care can do much to reduce your risk of a dental emergency. At your cleanings and exams, we remove plaque and tartar from your teeth that might otherwise lead to cavities and infections. We also provide tips for at-home care that can keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. If your exam reveals any developing oral health issues, we may be able to address them long before they start to cause you pain.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Happy family in front of mirror, brushing teeth

When bacteria and plaque accumulate on teeth, they can cause significant damage. Fortunately, most bacterial buildup is entirely preventable via a thorough at-home oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, taking care to clean the area along the gumline and the backs of your teeth. Flossing once a day is also key. If you have any questions about how to care for your teeth at home, your hygienist would be happy to coach you.

Watch What You Eat

Attractive woman saying no to slice of cake

Overindulgence in sugary foods can lead to cavities and infections, while acidic items like soda and sports drinks can cause your enamel to become thin. It is best to avoid such foods, or at least enjoy them only on occasion. When you do consume them, rinse your mouth with water soon afterward. Also, keep in mind that hard foods run the risk of breaking your teeth. Try not to bite on things like ice, unpopped popcorn, and hard candies.

Wear a Mouthguard

Football player with mouthguard attached to his helmet

If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you may need a nightguard to prevent your upper and lower teeth from harming one another. If you play sports, you need a sportsguard to reduce the risk of injury to your teeth and gums. You can buy mouthguards over the counter, but custom ones from a dentist tend to offer greater comfort and efficacy. Custom mouthguards are also much better at preventing concussions during sports.

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

Using scissors, not teeth, to cut tag off clothing

It can be tempting to use your teeth to open packages, bags, or bottles. However, you should never do so if you want to prevent dental emergencies in New Haven. You might accidentally break a tooth. At the very least, you will probably cause premature wear and tear to your enamel. To help you resist the urge to use your teeth for such purposes, you might find it useful to carry a small multi-tool with you.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Woman in blue sweater thinking, has questions about emergency dentistry

Our practice is ready to serve as your go-to emergency dentist in New Haven. Before you entrust us with your urgent oral health needs, however, you may want to know more about various situations and how to handle them. Below, you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry. If you do not see the information you were hoping for, call us directly. We are always happy to share our knowledge!

Learn More

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Teeth are incapable of healing themselves, so your toothache is unlikely to go away on its own. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, if your pain is coming from a structure near a tooth, and not the tooth itself, your body may heal without professional assistance. It is also possible for the nerve inside a tooth to die. When that happens, it can no longer send pain signals to the brain. However, that is not a good thing because the infection that caused the toothache may still be present, and it could continue to spread into nearby tissues. It is always best to visit a dentist as soon as possible for any sort of dental pain.

How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?

If a toothache keeps you awake at night, that has the potential to make you even more miserable. You may be able to get some shuteye if you keep your head elevated when you go to bed. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and worsening your pain. You can also take over the counter pain medications to take the edge off of your discomfort. Applying a cold compress may help to calm inflammation and dull your pain. Additionally, it would be wise to avoid eating any hot, spicy, cold, or acidic foods right before bedtime.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

Unfortunately, most hospitals lack the training and experience to address a dental emergency in New Haven. In many cases, the most they can do is provide some mild pain medication and urge you to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Of course, there are some circumstances in which you should visit the emergency room first. That is the case if you are bleeding excessively, having trouble breathing, have broken facial bones, or are experiencing any other serious or life-threatening symptoms. After the hospital provides primary care, you can visit us for follow-up treatment.

What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?

Teeth are composed of a few layers. The middle layer, the pulp, contains the tooth’s nerve, which is quite sensitive. When inflammation or infection irritates the nerve, it can lead to throbbing pain. This may happen if a tooth is seriously decayed or damaged. Another possible reason for throbbing tooth pain is bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), which often occurs at night while a person is not aware of what they are doing. 

More to Explore

Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics View Our Services

Contact Us
New Haven
(203) 781-8051 Crowns Tower Building
123 York St, Ste 4L
New Haven, CT 06511
Office Hours

8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
Closed

Woodbridge
(203) 389-7080 3 Research Drive
Woodbridge, CT
Office Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed

Hamden
(203) 288-8221 Hamden Professional Ctr.
295 Washington Avenue
Hamden, CT
Office Hours

8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
8:00am - 5:00pm
Closed

Branford
(203) 488-0091 195 Montowese St.
Branford, CT
Office Hours

8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed