Emergency Oral Surgery in Atlanta & Cumming. Hurting today? Call us first.
Emergency oral surgery is urgent care for problems such as a knocked-out tooth, a painful infection with swelling, or an injury to the teeth or jaw. Call the office first. If you have pain or an emergency, every attempt will be made to see you that day at the Atlanta (Buckhead) or Cumming office.
Who it is for
When to call, and when to go to the ER
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck, bleeding you cannot control, or a serious injury. For the problems below, call the office.
- A permanent tooth knocked out or pushed out of place
- A broken or cracked tooth with sharp pain
- Facial or gum swelling with throbbing pain or fever
- Bleeding after an extraction that keeps going despite firm pressure
- Pain that worsens a few days after a tooth or wisdom tooth removal
- A blow to the jaw, or teeth that suddenly no longer fit together
How it works
What happens when you call with an emergency?
Both offices are open Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. When you call, the team asks what happened and when, so Dr. Abtin can be ready for you. 3D imaging (cone beam CT) in the office can help show what is going on below the surface. Injuries to the jaw or face are covered on the facial trauma page.
Call the office
Describe what happened, when it started and how you feel now. The team will tell you what to do on the way in and when to come.
Same-day attempt
Every attempt will be made to see you that day. If something on the call sounds life-threatening, you will be directed to an emergency room instead.
Exam and imaging
Dr. Abtin examines the area and may take a 3D scan to see roots, bone and any infection that an exam alone cannot show.
Treatment or a plan
Many problems are treated at that visit, for example draining an infection or removing a broken tooth. Others are stabilized first and finished at a planned follow-up.
Recovery
What is recovery like after emergency care?
Recovery depends on what was treated, and your surgeon will give you instructions for your specific situation. These are common patterns.
Rest, keep your head raised and use cold packs on the cheek if advised. Take any prescribed medicine exactly as directed.
Swelling and soreness often peak, then begin to ease. Stick to soft foods and keep the area clean as instructed.
Most people feel steadily better. Keep any follow-up visit, especially after a knocked-out tooth or an infection.
Call the office if pain or swelling gets worse instead of better, if you develop a fever, or if you have any concern about healing. For trouble breathing or swallowing, call 911. General after-surgery instructions.
Can you have sedation for emergency care?
Many urgent procedures are done with local anesthesia so you can be treated quickly. Sedation options including IV sedation may be possible, but IV sedation requires an empty stomach, so tell the office when you last ate or drank when you call.
About IV sedationDoes insurance cover emergency oral surgery?
Emergency care for an injury or infection may fall under dental insurance, medical insurance or both, depending on what happened. The office works with most dental and medical insurance plans. Call with your plan details and ask what it is likely to cover. Financing is available, so cost does not have to delay urgent care.
Insurance and financingFAQ
Questions about emergency oral surgery
Direct answers first. Your consultation covers the details of your own case.
What should I do if an adult tooth gets knocked out?
If it is a baby tooth, do not put it back in; call the office or your child's dentist. For an adult tooth, pick it up by the crown, the part you chew with, and never by the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly without scrubbing. Keep it moist, ideally back in the socket or in a cup of milk, then call the office and come in right away. Time matters for saving the tooth.
When should I go to the emergency room instead of an oral surgeon?
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck, bleeding you cannot control, or a serious head or facial injury. These can be life-threatening. For other urgent mouth and jaw problems, call the office first.
Can I be seen the same day?
Every attempt will be made to see you that day if you have pain or an emergency. Call the office as early as you can so the team can plan around you. Both offices are open Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
What can I do for tooth pain until my appointment?
Over-the-counter pain relievers taken as the label directs, a cold pack on the cheek and gentle warm salt water rinses can ease tooth pain for now. Do not put aspirin or other tablets directly on the gum. If swelling grows or you develop a fever, call the office right away.
Is swelling after a tooth infection an emergency?
Swelling from a tooth infection is urgent and should be seen soon. Call the office the same day. If the swelling spreads toward your eye or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Further reading
Patient information from health organizations
General education from independent sources. It does not replace advice about your own case.
- Dental emergenciesMouthHealthy, American Dental Association
- Broken or knocked out toothMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Facial injury and trauma surgeryAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Related procedures
Often planned with emergency oral surgery
Tooth Extraction
Simple and surgical removal of damaged, infected or broken teeth, with socket grafting when you plan an implant later.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Removal of impacted or problem wisdom teeth, planned from X-rays and a 3D scan when needed, with sedation options including IV sedation.
Facial Trauma Surgery
Repair of broken facial bones, facial cuts and knocked-out teeth after an accident, sports injury or fall.
Next step
Questions about an emergency? Ask first.
Call the office closest to you, or send a request and the team will call you back. If you have pain or an emergency, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
Monday to Saturday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday closed.