Emergency dentist · Lewes, DE
Dental emergency? Call us first.
Pain, swelling, bleeding, a broken or loose tooth — dental emergencies are stressful, and they rarely happen at a good time. Call The Dental Group and our team will help you decide whether you need care right away, then get you comfortable as quickly as possible.
Mon–Thu 7am–5:30pm · Fri 7am–4pm. Facial swelling and we can’t be reached? Go to an urgent care center.
How urgent is it?
- Call us right awaySwelling, throbbing pain, a broken or knocked-out tooth
- Call for our next openingA suspected crack, new sensitivity to cold
- Can wait for regular hoursA loose crown or lost filling
Is it a real emergency?
What you’re feeling, and what to do next.
Some problems are obvious, like a tooth broken in a fall. Others start as a vague ache or new sensitivity. Here’s how we’d triage the most common calls — and if you’re still not sure, phone us and ask.
Call us right away
Facial swelling
Swelling in the face or jaw usually means an infection, and antibiotics should be started as soon as possible.
What to do now
Call our office right away. If we can’t be reached, go to an urgent care center rather than waiting.
Call us right away
Throbbing pain or sensitivity to hot and cold
Pain that radiates toward the ear, or that starts for no obvious reason, often means the nerve has become unhealthy and a root canal may be needed.
What to do now
Call to be seen as soon as possible. Avoid very hot or cold food and drink until then.
Call us right away
A visibly cracked or broken tooth
From hard candy, a fall or a sports injury. A crack you can see, or a tooth that’s more sensitive since it happened, should be checked immediately.
What to do now
Rinse with warm water, save any broken pieces and use a cold compress on your cheek for swelling.
Call us right away
A knocked-out tooth
A permanent tooth that’s knocked out has the best chance of being saved if it’s replaced quickly — ideally within the hour.
What to do now
Pick it up by the crown, not the root. Gently rinse it and keep it moist in milk on the way to us.
Call for our next opening
A tooth you think might be cracked
If you bit into something and suspect a crack but can’t see it and there’s no new sensitivity, it may or may not be urgent.
What to do now
Call us and describe what happened — we’ll help you decide whether to come in today.
Call for our next opening
Sensitivity to cold
Usually a slightly exposed nerve from a cavity, or enamel worn by acidic drinks like bottled teas, sodas and juices.
What to do now
Not usually an emergency, but call for an appointment as soon as possible so we can treat the cause.
Can wait for regular hours
A loose crown or lost filling
This should be taken care of, but it doesn’t normally count as an emergency and can wait until regular office hours.
What to do now
Keep the crown somewhere safe, chew on the other side and call us when we open.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for uncontrolled bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, a possible broken jaw, or swelling that’s spreading toward your eye or neck.
When you call us
From the first call to feeling like yourself.
Our only priority is relieving your pain and getting you back to comfort, with as little stress as possible.
Call the office
Tell us what happened and what you’re feeling. A member of our dental team will talk it through with you.
We help you decide
Not sure it’s a real emergency? We’ll tell you honestly whether you need to come in right away or can wait for the next opening.
We fit you in
Urgent problems are worked into the schedule as quickly as possible — often the same day, with six dentists under one roof.
Relief first, then a plan
We get you out of pain, then explain your options. Root canals, crowns, extractions and implants are all handled here.
Treated here, not referred out
Treatments an emergency may lead to.
Root canals
Saves a tooth whose nerve is infected or inflamed — the usual fix for throbbing pain.
Dental crowns
Protects and rebuilds a cracked or broken tooth so it can chew normally again.
Tooth extraction
When a tooth can’t be saved, including wisdom teeth, removed comfortably in-house.
Dental implants
A permanent replacement for a tooth that’s been lost — over 200 placed last year.
Mouthguards
Custom-fit protection that prevents many sports injuries in the first place.
Common questions
Emergency dentistry FAQ
Can’t find your answer? Call us — we’re happy to help you figure out what to do.
- Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?
- It depends. If the crack is visible, or the tooth has become more sensitive since it happened, it should be checked right away. If you only suspect a crack and have no symptoms, call us and we’ll help you decide.
- Is a loose crown an emergency?
- Usually not. A loose crown should be handled, but it can normally wait until regular office hours. Keep the crown safe and avoid chewing on that side.
- What should I do if my face is swollen?
- Call our office right away. Facial swelling points to an infection, and antibiotics should be started as soon as possible. If we’re not available, contact an urgent care center.
- Why are my teeth suddenly sensitive to cold?
- Most often a cavity is exposing the nerve, or acidic drinks have worn the enamel. It isn’t usually an emergency, but call for an appointment soon so we can treat the cause before it gets worse.
- I’ve put off seeing a dentist for a long time. Can you still help?
- Yes, and without judgment. Even if treatment has been put off until it can’t wait any longer, our only priority is getting you out of pain and back to comfort.
- How can I prevent dental emergencies?
- Many emergencies can be avoided with exams and cleanings twice a year, so we can catch problems early. If you play sports, a custom mouthguard is the best protection for your teeth.
4,000+ five-star reviews
Kind words from our patients
I know most people hate the dentist but I love it! And it especially helps having such a great dental team that I know I can trust. I love leaving with my teeth feeling clean and well cared for. Dr. Bryan and his assistants (both Jess and Aliya) are so kind and caring.
Kristen F. · Google review
My experience with Dr. Labin has been nothing but positive! I have been going to him for years and he is very gentle, making sure his patients are comfortable before he starts any procedure. The staff, from the office staff to the dental hygienists, are all professional and go above and beyond.
Carolyn C. · Google review
The best emergency is the one that never happens.
Exams and cleanings twice a year let us catch small problems before they turn into a painful surprise.
Visit us
We look forward to meeting you.
Always accepting new patients from Lewes and the surrounding communities. We’ll work with you to schedule appointments that fit your life.
Dental emergency?
Don’t wait for it to get better on its own. Call us right away and we’ll fit you in.
- Address
- 34359 Carpenter’s Way
Lewes, DE 19958 - Office hours
Monday – Thursday 7:00am – 5:30pm Friday 7:00am – 4:00pm Saturday & Sunday Closed