Do you offer same-day emergency appointments?

We make every effort to see urgent problems as quickly as possible. Request an appointment through the form and describe what happened, and we will arrange the soonest visit we can.

My crown fell off. Is that an emergency?

It is urgent, even without pain, because the tooth underneath is now exposed and vulnerable. Keep the crown, avoid chewing on that side, and request an appointment soon so we can re-secure or remake it.

I think my implant is loose. What should I do?

Have it assessed quickly. A loose or painful implant can worsen and cost you bone if left. Acting early often means more of the implant can be saved.

What should I do with a knocked-out tooth?

Handle it by the crown, not the root, keep it moist in milk or your own saliva, and try to be seen within the hour, which gives it the best chance of being saved.

When should I go to the ER instead of a dentist?

Go to the ER for trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward your eye or neck, or bleeding that will not stop after 15 minutes of firm pressure. For most other dental emergencies, a dentist is the faster route to relief.

Can I just glue my crown back on?

No. Household and super glues are toxic and can damage the tooth and make a proper repair harder. Keep the crown and let us re-secure it correctly.

Do you offer financing for emergency treatment?

Yes. We work with Cherry, HFD, Proceed, and CareCredit, and our treatment coordinators will help you find a plan that fits. We also verify any insurance benefits.

Emergency Dental Care in Hackensack, NJ

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any problem that needs fast attention to save a tooth, stop bleeding, or relieve severe pain. These situations cannot wait for a routine appointment, because delay usually turns a small problem into a much bigger one, including permanent tooth loss, spreading infection, or damage that costs many times more to fix later.

At Hackensack Center, we prioritize urgent problems and see them the same day whenever possible. Dr. Meskin is a prosthodontist, which matters here because most true dental emergencies involve broken teeth, failing crowns and bridges, loose or painful implants, or the kind of restorative work a specialist handles best.

If you have terrible tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, a lost crown, a failing implant, or swelling, request an urgent appointment through the form and describe what happened. Our goal is to get you seen quickly, relieve your pain, and give you a clear plan for what comes next.

Emergency Dentist infographic with "EMERGENCY DENTIST" title in red text, cartoon illustrations of dental emergencies, numbered situations, and guidance icons

Common Dental Emergencies We Treat in Hackensack

Severe Toothaches

Intense, throbbing tooth pain that gets in the way of eating, sleeping, or daily activities. Often a sign of infection, deep decay, or a cracked tooth. Needs immediate treatment to stop the pain and prevent it from getting worse.

Knocked-Out Teeth

Complete tooth loss from trauma or an accident. This is time-critical, because the tooth can often be saved if replanted within 30 to 60 minutes. Handle it by the crown only, keep it moist in milk or your own saliva, and get to us right away.

Broken or Chipped Teeth

Fractured, cracked, or badly chipped teeth from injury, biting hard objects, or grinding. Sharp edges can cut soft tissue and expose the sensitive inner tooth. Fast repair protects against infection and more damage.

Dental Abscesses

A painful, pus-filled infection at the root or in the gum. Left untreated, an abscess can cause facial swelling, fever, and serious systemic problems. Needs prompt drainage, antibiotics, and treatment of the underlying cause.

Lost Fillings or Crowns

Dental fillings or custom crowns that fall out leave tooth structure exposed and vulnerable to pain, sensitivity, and more damage. Fast replacement prevents the need for bigger (and more expensive) treatment later.

Oral Bleeding

Uncontrolled bleeding from gums, tongue, or other soft tissues that does not stop with pressure. May come from injury, surgery complications, or a hidden condition. Needs professional evaluation and care.

What to Do Right Now

While you arrange to be seen, a few simple steps can protect your tooth and ease the pain. The most important thing is not to panic, and not to try permanent fixes yourself. Never use household or super glue on a tooth or crown, and never force anything into place.

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Once you have done the relevant step below, request an urgent appointment so we can repair it properly.

Lost crown or filling: keep the piece if you can, avoid chewing on that side, and see us soon
Broken or chipped tooth: rinse with warm water, save any fragments, use a cold compress for swelling
Knocked-out tooth: handle it by the crown only, keep it in milk or saliva, and get seen within the hour
Loose or painful implant: avoid chewing on it and have it assessed quickly to protect the bone
Swelling or a gum abscess: rinse gently with warm salt water and be seen urgently, do not try to drain it
Severe pain: an over-the-counter pain reliever can help until you are seen

These are airway and systemic concerns a hospital is equipped to manage. For everything else, a specialist is the faster path to real relief.

Emergency Dental Services in Hackensack

Emergency Extractions

Same-day removal for severely damaged or infected teeth
Local numbing for full comfort
Gentle, experienced technique
Post-op instructions and pain management
Tooth replacement options discussed

Root Canal Therapy

Relieves severe tooth pain from infection
Saves natural tooth from extraction
Removes infected pulp tissue
Modern techniques keep you comfortable
Same-day emergency appointments available

Abscess Treatment

Drainage of painful dental abscesses
Antibiotic prescription to fight infection
Pain relief and swelling reduction
Follow-up care to prevent it from coming back
Treatment of the underlying cause

Broken Tooth Repair

Emergency bonding for chipped teeth
Temporary or permanent crown placement
Smoothing of sharp, cutting edges
Protection of exposed tooth structure
Restoration of function and appearance

Lost Restoration Replacement

Re-cementing of lost crowns or bridges
Temporary filling placement
Protection of vulnerable tooth structure
Prevention of more damage or decay
Permanent restoration options provided

Trauma Management

Treatment of dental injuries from accidents
Tooth stabilization and splinting
Soft tissue laceration repair
Jaw injury evaluation
Specialist referral when needed

How Your Emergency Visit Works

Emergency visits at Hackensack Center are focused: relieve the pain or bleeding first, figure out what actually happened, and stabilize the tooth so you leave in better shape than you arrived. Whether the fix is complete on the same day or requires a follow-up depends on what we find.

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Relieve

Comfort comes first. Before anything else, we numb the area, control any bleeding, and get you out of pain. If you are anxious, we can talk through sedation options as well. Nothing else happens until you are comfortable.

Diagnose

Once you are settled, Dr. Meskin figures out what is going on. That usually includes an exam, targeted x-rays, and where needed a 3D scan to see below the gum. Because most emergencies are not just what they look like on the surface, this step is what separates a real fix from a temporary patch. A tooth that hurts might be cracked, infected, or bearing force it should not be. The diagnosis decides the treatment.

Stabilize or Repair

Where possible, we complete the repair the same day. Because we have an on-site lab, temporary crowns and same-day restorations are often finished before you leave. In cases where a proper fix takes more than one visit, such as an implant that needs to be removed and rebuilt, we stabilize the site, protect the tooth, and plan the definitive treatment in the following days.

What Happens Next

Before you leave, you receive clear aftercare instructions and a plan for anything that still needs to be done. Many emergency fixes are the first step of a longer treatment. A saved tooth may still need a root canal. A re-cemented crown may need to be remade. A stabilized implant may need a new restoration. We tell you exactly what is next and when.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Many dental emergencies can be prevented with proper care, protective measures, and regular dental visits at our Hackensack, NJ practice.

Close-up of hands and mouth area showing first aid or tooth handling

Experience Exceptional Dental Care

If dental work has failed or you are in pain, request an urgent appointment and we will get you seen as quickly as we safely can. At Hackensack Center for Dental Implants, your comfort comes first.